The Bride He Never Chose

~ Elena’s POV

I sat behind the closed doors of the bridal room, waiting for my signal to reach the altar. Just yesterday, my sister was supposed to be sitting here, and not me. My breath quickened, and I turned around, looking at the passing vehicles outside the window.

I sighed, contemplating whether I should run away or not. Not realizing, I took a step forward, wanting to get out of this torture. I took another step and several more before I was facing my mother and not the freedom.

“You know you can’t do that, Elena,” she spoke in a hushed tone, scared of anyone hearing us. “This wedding is a peace offering to keep us all alive, you know that. If you run away now, no one will be spared.” She was gritting her teeth, but I knew better that it was not out of anger, but out of desperation.

“I know, but— this was not my fate, it was Isabella’s, why am I getting punished?” I was grasping for the littlest reason I could to get out of this wedding, but I knew deep down it wasn’t happening.

“Please, Elena, don’t make this harder than it is. Damian Moretti doesn’t know the brides are switched; you just have to pretend until we find Isabella.” I sighed and turned back around, knowing there was no point in arguing with her.

I sat back down and stared at my phone case, the one Luca gave me, someone who meant everything to me till yesterday.

~ Flashback to Previous Night

“I’m sorry, Elena, but— I love someone else.” My world shook underneath my feet when I heard him. I couldn’t believe it was still the Luca I had loved for 3 years.

“And… all this time… we were doing what… waiting for your true love?” I whispered, trying not to show how heartbroken I was. I loved Luca more than I could admit, but I never had the courage to tell him.

“No, I—” He stopped, scratching the back of his head. “I’m sorry, Elena. I hope you find your true love soon.” He smiled weakly and walked off, leaving me to stare at his back, wondering where I went wrong in our relationship.

I went back home, tears staining my cheeks, and rushed to my room. I didn’t want to face anyone, especially Isabella, since she’d be the first one to start making fun of me. I sat on the bed door and cried my heart only to stop after hearing a knock on the door.

“Elena, we need to talk to you about something. We’re coming in.” I sat up, not caring anymore about my tears. They walked inside and hesitated for a second after seeing my face. I shook my face and gestured for them to continue.

They nodded and sat on the bed. “Isabella’s run away. We don’t know what to do with the wedding tomorrow, we—“

“She what?“

“She ran away and left a note, saying she didn’t want to marry Damian Moretti. I know he’s scary, but Elena, this wedding is the only way we can save our lives—“

“I know that. I just—“ I sighed, not even willing to complain at this moment. “Fine, I’ll do it. But only till you find Isabella.“ My parents sighed in relief and nodded, agreeing with me.

~ End of Flashback

The song echoes through the walls, and I knew it was my cue to stand up and walk out. My father walked inside with tears in his eyes. I knew they weren’t happy tears in the least.

“I’m sorry, Elena, but I had to do this.“ He placed my arm in his, and I shook my head, reassuring him it was right. I glanced at my mother’s crying face one last time before we walked out. The doors opened to all the guests and men in black standing by the side of the groom. Damian Moretti was the only heir, and I was just going to become his bride instead of my sister.

We reached the priest, and I stood in front of Damian, my breathing lowering. I was sweating, and for some reason, my heart felt like it would give up anytime soon. The priest continued with his speech, but I couldn’t hear a word of his. Under Damian’s intense gaze, all I could feel was blood draining from me. The moment came to say ‘I do’, and when the priest looked at me, waiting for me, I looked up at Damian. So, I knew what I should do: tell the truth or be killed later.

“I can—“ My eyes landed on my mother and her trembling hands, and I knew I couldn’t risk her life. She was the only one in my family who understood me. “I do.“ I said in a hoarse voice.

I caught a glimpse of Damian’s smirk, and I knew I was assuming, but it felt as if he was expecting me to back out at this very moment. I looked down at him, not wanting to give in due to his glaring stare.

“I do.“ This was the first time I had heard a man sound so manly. Even though his voice made me feel tingling all over, I couldn’t expect anything from him. My twin sister was the one to marry him and not me. I only have to stay till my parents find her.

The priest pronounced us husband and wife and asked us to kiss, and it was then that my breath hitched. I didn’t want to kiss him at all. I didn’t even want to get near him anymore. He leaned in, and my eyes widened as my head shot up, and I looked at him in a frozen posture. I couldn’t move when he snaked his hand around my waist and pulled me closer. He leaned in and instead of kissing me, he went over to my side, pretending to kiss me on the cheek, but that wasn’t what he did.

He whispered into my ear. “You don’t know what you just got yourself into.“