Love Unveiled

Today was the wedding, and Kathrine was nowhere to be seen.

"Your sister isn't answering any of her calls," my father says, eyes filled with worry as he dialed Kathrine's number for what seemed the hundredth time.

"The wedding is about to start. Where could she possibly be?" my mother asks, her voice filled with concern. She paces from one end of the room to the other while my father dials my sister's number again. Just like the others, it goes straight to voice mail. This was bad, this was really bad. Hundreds of people were already out there waiting for the bride to show up; how were my parents supposed to go out there and tell them the bride was a no-show?

"Maybe she's stuck in traffic," I offer, but even I don't believe my words. The door of the dressing room swings open, and in walked Xavier's father, shit, he did not look happy. Standing at a height of 6'1, Adrian Sinclair stood in the middle of the dressing room, his gaze intimidating as they fixated on my parents. 

"Where is your daughter?" he questions, his gaze intimidating as they land on my mother, who was holding on to my father for dear life. My mother paled under Adrian's heavy gaze. Little things scared my mother, but an angry Sinclair was at the top of the list.

"She's–um, she's probably stuck in traffic," my mother says, repeating my earlier words. Adrian's eyes bounce from my mother to my father. 

"Traffic?" he drawled, not buying their excuse. He takes out his phone and dials Kathrine's number, and just like the fifteen hundred other times, it goes straight to voicemail. He tries again and again, but still nothing. He tries one more time, but it goes straight to voicemail.

"This isn't like Kathrine," my mother voiced from beside my father. The notification sound of my phone goes off, with Kathrine's name flashing on the screen. 

I unlock my screen, and my heart sinks when I read the text message.

Kathrine: I don't think I can do it

Three bubbles pop up, and then another message shows

Kathrine: Tell Mom and Dad not to call me anymore. I won't pick up. 

I looked up at the three other people in the room who were still actively trying to call Kathrine. I 

seize their distraction as an opportunity and quietly slip out of the room. I find a hidden corner in the corridor before I dial her number. 

"What the hell do you think you're doing?" I snap once she answers. She lets out a shaky breath before speaking.

"I thought I could do it; I really did. I did everything right, but once I stepped foot in that dress and looked at the mirror, I hated the girl who looked back." 

"This isn't like you, Kathrine," I tell her. She scoffs 

"I'm serious, Kathrine; Mom and Dad are worried sick. And what about the guests? What do you want us to tell them?" 

"Tell the guests whatever you like; I don't care what they think."

"And what about Xavier? I thought you loved him. How do you think he's going to feel?" she pauses momentarily, considering my words.

"I'm sorry, I just can't do this." She hangs up without another word. I try to dial her number again, 

but it goes straight to voicemail. I lean against the wall, my head thrown back in defeat. What were we going to do?

**

"You're lying," my mother shouts, the anger in her voice causing me to flinch. My father does his best to calm her down, but she doesn't let him.

"Kathrine isn't coming," I tell her again, and she crumbles. My father catches her just in time.

"What are we going to do, Martin? The guests are out there, and worse, the Sinclairs are waiting for us to provide them with a daughter-in-law to seal the deal. We can't go out there and tell them that the bride won't be coming today; we can't," my father soothes her, telling her it's going to be alright.

"We'll figure it out." He tells her.

"I'm sorry, but we don't have time to figure it out," Adrian interjects. His voice was cold, and from the way his brows were furrowed, he was just as much confused as I was.

"A wedding will be held today." He says in finality. My mother's eyes aren't the only one that goes wide.

"B-but Kathrine isn't here," my mother stutters. 

"I am aware that your eldest daughter isn't here, Dorothy, but remember that before this was a love match, it was a business arrangement, and in order for the business arrangement to be fulfilled, your daughter must marry my son." Her eyes land on me, and my body goes rigid. He couldn't possibly mean…

"Olivia will take Kathrine's place," he says, and my heart sings.

"W-what?" I sputter; he raises a brow

"I do not make a habit of repeating myself, Olivia." I gulp.

"But Xavier doesn't love me. He'll never agree to this," I say 

"Oh, is that so?" Adrian muses, the corner of his lips tilts up. "You're a smart girl, Olivia. Do you really think that my son doesn't have any feelings for you?" he asks. My mouth goes dry 

"He- He doesn't; he's in love with Kathrine." Adrian raises a brow.

"That may be so, but that doesn't change the fact that your parent's end of the bargain still needs to be fulfilled." I open my mouth to object, but my mother's voice cuts me off.

"She'll do it," she says. My father's eyes widen.

"Dorothy, what are you doing?" 

"I'm trying to save your business and our reputation." She looks at me.

"You'll do it," she tells me, leaving no room for argument.

"But mom…"

"Don't even try to pretend that this isn't what you wanted." She spits, her gaze filled with venom.

"Mom, I-I"

"I've seen the way you look at him; God knows Kathrine noticed it, too. You're absolutely smitten with him." She says.

 "No, I'm not really. I'-" she cuts me off.

"Don't even try to deny it," I look away.

"I don't think I can do it," I tell her. I might love Xavier, but I wasn't willing to put myself in such a situation with him, knowing that his heart would only belong to her. 

"I know this is a lot to ask for," my father says, stepping forward, "but this union was never meant to be a love match. It was only ever business. The fact that Xavier and your sister fell in love was only a lucky incident." 

"You are our only hope now. You have to get married today; you just have to," Mother said. I considered her words. I knew she was right. Without Sinclair's investment, Eldora would go bankrupt. As much as I hated to admit it, we were royally screwed if a wedding didn't take place today. Not many people knew about Kathrine's and Xavier's engagement, and the few that knew were made to sign an NDA. From what I know, that was the only condition Kathrine had when agreeing to the engagement. My taking her place would hardly backfire. With a deep breath, I turn to Adrian.

"I'll do it," I

say, "but only if Xavier agrees to it first. I won't go on with the wedding without his consent."