My Enemy's Daughter (Edited)

Chapter 45

Fiona's POV

Planning a wedding was something I never thought I'd be doing so soon. But Samuel, true to his nature, insisted that it had to happen sooner rather than later. "Why wait, Fiona?" he'd said with a twinkle in his eye, leaning in with that smooth confidence that made my knees weak. "I've waited long enough for you. Two months is all I need to make you mine."

His determination melted any hesitation I had. The next thing I knew, we were in Pastor Simeon's office, sitting down for weekly marriage counseling. At first, it was the standard sessions every couple had before they tied the knot, but as the wedding date loomed closer, we found ourselves adding more days to the schedule. Two months felt like no time at all.

Samuel didn't miss a single session, which made me fall for him even harder. Despite his demanding work schedule, he always made time for us. It wasn't just the counseling sessions. He started attending church services with me every Sunday, and even though he often arrived late due to last-minute meetings or business calls, the fact that he showed up meant everything. Watching him come in quietly, sometimes slipping in just as the worship music started, filled my heart with gratitude. He was committed—to me, to us, and even to God.

Every time I looked at him, I saw the man I had prayed for, even when I didn't realize I was praying. Samuel Fox had become my home.

The weeks flew by in a blur of wedding planning, dress fittings, and floral arrangements. My dream wedding was coming together faster than I had expected. With no close female friends, Dina, Samuel's secretary and now my dear friend, stepped in as my matron of honor. She had been a constant support throughout this whirlwind romance, and I couldn't think of anyone better to stand beside me on my big day.

The morning of the wedding arrived with a nervous flutter in my stomach. This was it. The day I would become Mrs. Fiona Fox. The air buzzed with excitement, and the venue was packed. People had shown up not just out of support, but out of curiosity too. After all, this was the wedding of Fiona Bruckner, daughter of a well-known business tycoon, marrying the enigmatic and powerful Samuel Fox, whose empire spanned industries that most people could only dream of touching. The gossip about our age difference—18 years—only fueled the interest.

But as I stood in the back of the hall, the guests chatting and mingling, a small part of me felt the sting of my father's absence. Jake Bruckner had made it abundantly clear that he wouldn't give his blessing to our marriage. He'd outright refused to attend, and I told myself I was fine with it. After all, what was the point of having him there to darken the happiest day of my life?

Still, as I prepared to walk down the aisle, that gnawing feeling of dread crept up my spine. I hadn't expected to feel so alone. Dina, sensing my unease, squeezed my hand and smiled reassuringly. "You've got this, Fiona," she whispered, but it was hard to shake the image of walking down the aisle without my father.

The doors opened, and the soft strains of the wedding march began to play. I took a deep breath and stepped forward, my heart pounding in my chest. The packed wedding hall, filled with familiar and unfamiliar faces, seemed to close in on me. All eyes were on me, but my gaze was fixed ahead, where Samuel stood waiting at the altar.

The moment I saw him, everything else faded. He looked breathtakingly handsome, standing there in his tailored suit. His sharp features were softened by the warmth in his eyes, and for a man in his forties, he looked like he could easily pass for his twenties. His gaze locked onto mine, and the smile that spread across his face nearly made me stumble. I had to remind myself to concentrate, to keep walking toward him, even as my knees wobbled.

With Dina's help, I made it to the altar, and as soon as I was close enough to Samuel, the world settled. He took my hands in his, and the look in his eyes—so full of love and promise—was enough to steady me.

The ceremony went by in a beautiful blur. Pastor Simeon spoke words of blessing over us, reading scriptures about love, commitment, and faith. When it came time for the vows, my voice was steady, despite the overwhelming emotions bubbling beneath the surface. Samuel's voice was strong, full of conviction, and I could see the sincerity in his eyes as he promised to love and cherish me for the rest of our lives.

But when the pastor announced, "You may kiss the bride," Samuel hesitated.

Instead of leaning in to kiss me, he gently rested his forehead against mine, a gesture so intimate and loving that it caused the entire crowd to let out a collective "aww."

He whispered in my ear, his breath warm against my skin, "I don't want our first kiss to be for the media."

I pulled back slightly and gave him a playful peck on the cheek, understanding completely. We'd waited this long; what was a little longer?

The reception was a bit smaller, filled with close friends and Samuel's business associates. I was grateful for the more intimate setting after the grand spectacle of the ceremony. It was here that I got the chance to dance with Ethan's father, who had always treated me like family. As we swayed to the music, he grinned down at me, his eyes twinkling with mischief.

"I wish it were my son you married today, Fiona," he teased, making me laugh.

"I think we both know, I'm not the right one for Ethan, also no one comes close to my Samuel" I replied with a smile.

We shared a few more playful jabs before he handed me back to Samuel, who took me in his arms with ease. We danced for most of the night, receiving congratulations from guests, including Dina and her husband, whom I met for the first time. Pastor Simeon and the head pastor of my church also came to bless us, adding to the joy of the evening.

By the time the night wound down, Samuel and I were exhausted but happy. We left the reception in a sleek car that Samuel had arranged, driving to his mansion. When we arrived, I was stunned all over again. The house was tucked away on a vast green expanse of land, secluded and peaceful. It was beautiful, and I was in awe of it's grandeur.

Samuel carried me over the threshold, his strong arms cradling me as though I weighed nothing. He didn't set me down until we reached the master bedroom, where he gently placed me on my feet.

We stood there, facing each other, the weight of the day's events hanging between us. Samuel rested his forehead against mine, just as he had at the altar. I could feel his breath, warm and steady, and my heart swelled with love for him.

"I love you," I whispered, the words coming out softer than I expected, as though they were a fragile secret.

Samuel leaned in, and for a split second, I thought this was it. Our first kiss. I closed my eyes, waiting for the moment our lips would finally meet.

But instead, I heard him whisper, in a voice so cold it sent a chill down my spine, "And I hate you, Fiona."

My eyes snapped open in shock. I pulled back, staring at him in disbelief. The man standing before me—the man I had just married—was looking at me with a twisted smile, one filled with disgust and hatred. His eyes, which had been so full of love and warmth just hours ago, were now hard and cruel.

"What?" I gasped, my mind reeling.

"You heard me," he said, his smile widening, but it wasn't the kind of smile that brought comfort. It was deadly, menacing, and it turned his handsome face into something monstrous.

I stood there, frozen, unable to comprehend what was happening. This couldn't be real. The Samuel I knew, the man I had just promised my life to, wouldn't—couldn't—say something like that.

But as I looked into his eyes, I realized with a sickening jolt that this was real. This was happening.

And I had no idea why.

The world around me seemed to tilt, everything spinning out of control as confusion and fear gripped me. My heart, which had been soaring with love and joy just moments ago, now plummeted into a chasm of dread.

This wasn't the Samuel I had married. This wasn't the man who had held me so lovingly at the altar.

Whoever this was, he hated me.

And I had no idea what I had done to deserve it.