The Blackmail Bride

Chapter 34 Part 1

Let me spoil it for you: KISS ALERT!!!

Aisle

I could tell you of many insignificant details about the wedding.

I could tell you that the chapel was completely of white marble from the walls to the ceiling and the pews were of glass. I could tell you that overhead intricate chandeliers were of Swarovski crystals and gold-plated hardware. I could tell you that the aisle was two inches deep in hyacinth flowers and the scent engulfed the whole place. The raised podium was of the same glass and the pastor wore his white robes. Every one of the guests wore white as they solemnly waited for me to walk to my waiting groom. The only color lent to the scene was the stained glass behind him and it depicted Christ's meek sacrifice on the cross.

A sacrifice, huh?

My mother had already composed herself before the ceremony started. She was again the radiant socialite and the envied mother of the bride hanging on the arm of my father.

It didn't come as a surprise to me that she had gathered herself so easily. And I had given her a cold brush-off.

If only she knew what went in my head... but I needed my sanity with me during this event. I was going to hold it together with four hundred guests in attendance. And no one was to know, not even mom.

If I focused enough, it would pass smoothly. I didn't have much of a script. I had to follow the traditional vows and say yes and this would be over.

I would go through this smiling even with the chaos in my head. The ingrained upbringing refused to give up my image of a composed and serene bride.

But my mind kept straying...

Mom knew. Then did Grandma? Did dad?

But my father's arrogance was quite telling of his ignorance... and Grandma? Grandma wasn't even looking my way as she already expected I was looking and acting my best.

They came up with an excuse just to trap Jace Black into marriage. And they made me out as a perpetrator in the perfect knowledge that I was also a victim...

Every fiber of my sanity screamed why.

Why? Why? Why?

What was wrong with my mother dropping a bomb like that right before the ceremony of all forsaken timing? Why when I'd already decided to fully accept this marriage as my decision?

And now...

My hands tightened on the bouquet of peach tulips and baby's breath—

I was wavering again. Not now. Not these feelings. Not in front of all these business contacts that we needed to respect us. I needed to steel my resolve.

"You're up next!" the organizer waved a hand in front of me and I looked up.

The tiniest flower girls whom I didn't I know were showering pink rose petals as if the aisle wasn't already covered in a ton flowers.

I wished time would stop. But the time seemed to be at a normal pace... yet still too fast for my composure.

Was it a blessing in disguise that my parents didn't walk me to the front? That the tradition of parents giving away their daughter to the groom was removed? Now that along with a silver platter with my head on it would ring some truth to this play. They were throwing me into his arms so easily it was sickening.

I couldn't hear cues properly as I watched the Porter couple strode into the church as if nothing was amiss. A pity considering the singer and pianist were top-artists, that the string quartet accompanying them were sought for their almost otherworldly pieces. I was sure it filled the room but I could only hear the ringing in my ear and my crashing thoughts.