Chapter # 4

I looked at my reflection in the mirror, an aristocratic woman with enthralling looks. Beauty with such a charm she never wants to show. A ravish appearance that can hold any heart captive in them. But all those looks cannot hide those heartbroken emotions that are filling her heart as her whole being is cold as ice. Facades hidden behind those layers of makeup and the gorgeous dress.

No one is satisfied with my dress but I felt like it suits me well as it is showing what future holds for me; darkness. I know it is nothing but a day of despair for me. All I can do is to keep my calm as I hoped deeply in my heart that upon seeing me, Ryan will cancel the marriage. Papa may have deceived him quite well by not telling anyone the name of the bride, even to media and in invitation cards but I wonder how long that will remain. How Ryan will react when he will find out that his bride is me not Marianne.

I looked at myself, feeling utterly hollow. My heart felt heavy as I felt like my whole being is burning on fire but I cannot show it as I have to bear this overwhelming feelings in me and put up a strong- cold front.

I stood up and looked at my dress. It's a black A line floor-length dress. The dress was adorned with lace. The dress was gorgeous. My hair are secured in a waterfall hairstyle. A dark red lipstick and that cat eye eyeliner with those smug black eyeshadow. My makeup was dark and Gothic. It didn't seem like it's my wedding because neither my emotions nor my appearance was emitting any positive aura. I feel like I am getting ready to attend a funeral. Whose? Mine.

Marianne entered as I asked,

"Why did you go out? You are not supposed to leave this room." I said. She gave a look filled with immense sorrow and began to say,

"I went to see the guest.. There are too many. Think about it again Rebecca."

"Tell me what choice do I have if I ran away from here? " I asked. She looked down and remained silent because she knows even if I ran away, these apparitions will haunt us forever. My one mistake can destroy our lives. Papa wants to throw me away and he is willing to cross any limit for it. I don't understand why marriage is the only solution to him. Marianne was right, he can throw me out of the house too. Oh, well he is doing this in a sense.

Marianne put the veil over my face and handed me the bouquet of roses. I lowered my gaze and in that moment Papa entered. His eyes fell upon me and it seems like he is stunned for a second. His eyes flicker with something mystifying which is beyond my understanding and I honestly don't even want to know. He narrowed his eyes as his lips slightly parted and it seems like he is struggling with himself about whether he should do something fatherly or remain like a bastard. Before he could say something I spoke up first,

"The moment I'll take a step out of this room, I'll never turn back to you even if it kills me." My words shocked everyone. Marianne and Papa looked at me with sadness as I continued,

"Today, you died for me and I for you." I said and walked out of the room.

I inhaled deeply and held back my tears. I curled my toes to give myself any consolation but no avail. A heavy pant escaped my lips and I tried to control my urge to cry out loud and let out my misery. I bit my cheek and tap my feet on the ground.

After a few moments, Papa walked out with a watery gaze to which I retort, "What's the point of showing regret now?" but he is my father and we both are insensible. I am glad that Marianne is not like us.

"It's not." He said, turning his head away and wiping the tears present in the corner of his eyes.

"Yeah, Right. Why would it be? You are finally throwing your garbage." I taunted and Marianne also walked out and I said to her,

"Since, I am going to California now, I guess we can meet often." I said emptily with a smile. Marianne looked down in shame and turned her head away.

And finally the dreadful moment came and I turned my back on Papa with no intention of looking back...

Ryan POV:-

I stood at the altar with my heart fluttering in happiness as I felt like a dream of mine came true. My heart is beating so fast as I felt so exhilarated. My content is beyond anyone's comprehension. No words can explain what I am feeling, the blithe to marry the person I loved dearly is treasured. I am getting bound in an eternal bond with her as it will become an eternal source of salvation for me.

I just couldn't wait for her to come. I wonder how her delicate lips will taste? Just the thought that my last name will be attached to hers, indicating that she is mine is filling me with great euphoria. That she'll become my woman and no one but me can indulge myself to feel her. Glee rushed in my every vein as I can barely wait for it.

The doors opened as my heart skipped a beat and I turned my head in that direction to see my bride coming but my world came to halt when I saw Rebecca entering. My smile faded as I rubbed my eyes thinking what I saw was wrong, but it wasn't an illusion and that one entering is none other than Rebecca!

Sudden rage took over me as I felt my heartbeat becoming feeble. It felt like my heart was being clenched in someone's hand and it's getting burst. I shot my head at my father who was as shocked as me to see her. I felt like my world is no more and a sudden feeling of abhor emerged from me for her. How could she, when she knows that I love Marianne, how can she do this? And Marianne, did she know about it? But I was shattered when I saw Marianne entering and taking a seat, unaffected. Did all of them deceived me?

I feel like some shards of glass are pricking my soul, bleeding it to death as my mind can think nothing but the upcoming despair. A tear pricked in the corner of my eyes as I felt heartbroken and overwhelmed by the feeling of grief and betrayal. And the day of my rapture was turned into devastation.

I closed my eyes as a tear rolled down my cheek. My heart was torn into million pieces when she reached the altar. I, who was too shocked to make what's going on, I stood still.

I stood there with two choices, either reject her in front of thousands of guests and the media, receiving utmost disgrace and humiliation for both of us or.. Marry her.

A deep breath escaped my lips as I looked up at her who was looking down with the same coldness. But, at the same time a tear also fell on her cheek but my anger blind me as I shrugged this off and gave her a seething look.

What should I do?

"Shall we start?" The priest asked. My lips began to quiver as my voice is stuck in my throat. I tried to say something but no voice came out, I felt so disheartened.

I swallowed hard and muster some courage. With shattered dreams and a heart broken beyond repair, I speak in a vague voice,

"Yes." I curled my hands in a fist and tried my best to stop my urge to cry or let out the grieve building inside of me.

We exchanged rings and she didn't even dared to lift her gaze. How can she? After committing such a low act, how can she even look at me in the eye. My whole being was filled with extensive anger.

...I never knew that my love would take away my serenity leaving me in a desolate place filled with misery while bounding my life with the most undesirable woman...

We exchanged vows as I said mine with no emotions. The vows I spend nights to write and say to Marianne. With hope crumbled apart as I glared at her and spoke my every word with venom.

"...I swore to turn every tear you shed into happiness. And I promised to lit up that dark sky of yours. I'll become that tranquility you desire to receive..."

When I finished mine, it's her turn. I didn't even listen to it as I cursed every person who deceived me for this in my heart. I then spare a glance at her and heard her saying,

"...I hope you come into my life like a moon so that you can ignite my night with your light. And even if you neglect me, I may not show it but I'll still be there for you.. In your shadows... "

I scoffed in my mind and continued to look at her with a scowl.

"I pronounce you the man and wife."

The priest declared as I grit my teeth in irk for the upcoming statement,

"You may now kiss the bride." I took a deep breath and continued to look at her in silver fury.

I lift the veil of my bride dressed in black, perfect color for today. I leaned in dangerously close and growled at her. A pant escaped her lips as she was slightly startled. She should be. I put my hand on her back and pulled she's close. A gasp escaped her lips as her gaze was fixed down. I felt her shiver and a sinister smirk crept upon my lips as the arousal to make her pay for what she did filled me. I moved my other hand and lifted her chin forcing her to look at me. She lifted her gaze and looked at me terrified. Her eyes glistened in remorse and fear. I continued to look at her with malevolence as her lips trembled. She held my coat as I continued to look at her. Every second was painfully slow and to people, it was romantic but we both know the tension present in the air.

"You'll regret it." I hissed in a low voice so that only she could hear it. My words made her convulsed as I can clearly see those walls of ice she built were melting, leaving her vulnerable and ashamed.

I moved closer and brushed my lips against her as she was shaking in vexation. I pressed my lips upon her, hard and moved my hand to her neck and kissed her roughly. I took my anger out in the kiss, my grip around her neck tightened, alarming her that if she pushed away, she'll pay. I heard the sound of her heart thumping against her chest. Blind in sorrow and wrath, I kissed her harshly. Everyone saw it as desperation which invited me more; to torment her in every way possible. I bit her lip and pulled away slowly. She didn't dare to kiss back as she gripped my coat tightly and didn't open her eyes to witness this.

We both were panting as I narrowed my eyes at her in rage and moved close to her neck. She seemed scared- petrified and is trying to hide it behind her facade and failed miserably.

"This is just the start. Just you watch, I'll make your life miserable." I growled to which she replied in a hoarse whisper, "It's already miserable."