Chapter 26 #2
It feels like it was just a minute ago that I was crashing into Dorian at the coffeehouse. And now I’m at Oheka Castle wearing a breathtaking Valentino wedding dress, moments away from marrying him.
I’ve only ever seen Oheka Castle in magazines or on TV.
It’s one of those grand historic estates built to impress.
Marble floors greeted us the moment we walked in, stretching vast beneath our feet.
Chandeliers dripped light from the sky-high ceilings, and paintings lined every wall.
Everything around us was breathtaking, and the entire venue was decorated for today’s event.
Billionaire Dorian Vale is set to marry Elodie Harper, a darling schoolteacher.
That’s how the papers dubbed us.
They took our story and ran with it, publishing headline after headline in the lead-up to the wedding. Anyone would think we were royalty. Though I suppose, in a way, the Vales are. Not so different from any of America’s power families.
Now, Skylar and I are following a dark-haired usher to the grand hall. She came to collect us from the bridal boutique, where we spent the entire morning being primed and prepped.
Skylar loops her arm through mine and gives me a giddy smile. She looks stunning in her forest-green bridesmaid’s dress and is way more enthusiastic than me. It’s the opulence surrounding us that has her so excited.
Neither of us has been anywhere this fancy. Despite the anxiety gnawing away at my nerves, I’ve been able to appreciate the decor, too. But only marginally.
Reality has a bad habit of kicking in every time I see something mesmerizing. It reminds me that I’m just a contract bride. And this place… It’s a fairytale setting for a story that will never be one.
I haven’t seen Dorian since he gave me the ring. And he never answered any of my messages—which I seriously regret sending.
One message was official. I needed to let him know when I’d signed the registry documents. But the message I sent asking if I’d see him before the wedding was me being stupid again. Falling prey to my inner frustrations.
Then I took one stupid step further and kept asking the staff when he’d be home. At least they were nice and non-judgmental when they told me he’d be away for business.
After a week passed, it was clear he wasn’t just ignoring me. He was also avoiding me.
“Relax, you’ll be fine,” Skylar mutters, brushing my shoulder with hers.
I give her one of my practiced smiles. “I’m just nervous.”
“That’s normal. Just enjoy being in this amazing building. Look at it. It’s magical,” she says in a wistful tone.
The usher smiles back at us and points ahead. “Wait until you see the grand hall.”
We both grin back at her like giddy schoolgirls.
We turn down the hallway and are greeted by more beauty.
Fresh flowers stand in tall arrangements. White roses, fuchsia orchids, and orange lilies like the ones I carry in my bouquet.
Paintings of scenic landscapes hang between the arches, and above me, the ceiling is covered in murals. I’m convinced I’ve strayed into a dream.
Ahead, a large set of double doors awaits, wide open.
We’re here.
No turning back now.
The tangled nerves in my stomach grow tighter. I try to breathe through it.
The usher reaches the door first and smiles back at us. “Ready?” she asks in a lilting voice.
I nod and take in another breath. This one is for clarity, to guide me in the first steps into my new life.
I’m getting married to Dorian Vale. I’m going to need all the clarity I can muster.
Skylar takes her place behind me, then the first notes of the Wedding March begin, carried through the hall by the graceful sound of violins.
“Go.” The usher beckons me forward.
I move.
I take two steps forward, then I’m inside the hall, and my gaze finds Dorian instantly.
He stands at the end of the aisle beside a white-haired priest.
Of course, Dorian Vale is an achingly beautiful sight to behold in his tailored black suit.
His short black hair has been neatly trimmed, accentuating his unfairly high cheekbones and dark brows.
He doesn’t smile.
He just watches me, and as always, he’s composed and perfectly unreadable.
Though the music guides me forward, my insides slow with tension. The only thing balancing me is the thought that I’m doing this for myself.
This whole decision makes sure I get what I want out of life. Nothing else must matter.
Not the wrongness in my soul, nor the thoughts that have come crashing back into my mind about my soon-to-be husband.
I don’t need to know where he was. I don’t need to know if he spent the week with Susan. And I certainly don’t need to know when he’ll be seeing her again.
What concerns me is this moment. The here and now.
With that reasoning, I tear my gaze away from him and look around the hall.
Guests line either side of the aisle. All of them smile back at me. They’re mostly people from Dorian’s side. I only invited ten people.
I spot Dorian’s family sitting in the front row, his father in particular beaming back at me. Then I find Jack. He sees me, too, at the same moment and grins.
Thank God he seems to be trying. Apart from Skylar, he’s my rock. Jack and I may not always see eye to eye, and I may not always agree with the things he does. But his presence soothes me. Even now.
The only thing that could have made me feel better today is if he’d walked me down the aisle. I’d always imagined him doing so.
He would have done it if I’d asked, but I didn’t want to put him through having to give me away to Dorian. I felt he appreciated that.
Awkwardly, my gaze drifts back to Dorian.
Two more steps, and I’m right before him.
With his eyes locked on mine, he holds his hand out for me to take.
I take it and give my bouquet to Skylar, who shoots me an encouraging look before heading to her seat.
My focus stays with Dorian as he leads me forward.
The priest smiles warmly at the two of us, then begins his speech.
Strangely, I hang on to every word. I was sure the mindlessness that had assailed me all morning would come back, but I’m sharp now. More focused than I’ve been in weeks.
But the clarity ends the moment it’s time to take our vows. I switch to autopilot again, and when I speak, I feel like I’m back in high school rehearsing for some play I don’t want to be part of.
The words come, but I feel nothing.
I feel the same nothingness when we exchange our rings.
I hardly look up when the priest asks if anyone objects to us getting married.
Time lurches forward, and suddenly, he’s declaring us husband and wife. I barely register that Dorian and I just got married. That I’m no longer Elodie Harper.
“You may now kiss the bride,” the priest announces.
I meet Dorian’s stormy-colored eyes with that vacant stare. For a moment, I think I see a spark of something, but it’s gone before I can confirm it was ever there.
He leans in to kiss me, and I hope like hell it’s nothing like his other kisses.
His lips touch mine, and I make myself feel nothing. All I have to do is remember him saying I will never love you, and it works.
I shut down and realize this is exactly what I have to do.
Cheers erupt through the hall as we pull apart, and I ignore the puzzled look in Dorian’s eyes.
The cheers rise as we take our first steps down the aisle, and I plaster on a dazzling smile, making sure I look every inch the woman I should be for the cameras.
The same fake smile follows me through the day, and I tell myself I can do this.
But my nerves get the better of me, ripping me apart beneath the practiced smile every time some woman I don’t know speaks to my husband.
Each time I wonder if the woman I’m looking at is Susan or someone else he’s seeing.
What a way to start a marriage.
But this is my choice. No matter how bad it is.