CHAPTER SIX

Alexia's POV

“I object to this wedding! Alexa is a fraud and she has bewitched Ethan” A beautiful brunette with the body of a model declared vehemently, eyes flashing with barely restrained rage as she walked to the front”

I was shocked by her allegations since I am quite sure I have never met or spoken to her before. 

Turning away from the intruder, I met Ethan's gaze, quietly asking him to explain what in the world is going on here and why is there a stranger accusing me of being a fraud!

“Alexia please calm down, I will handle this! Just give me a minute to seek this out” he whispered to me, and with a louder voice, “If you would excuse me for ten minutes Father, I would like to sort out this misunderstanding”  he said addressing the Priest, who in turn nodded his understanding.

“I should come with you”

“That won't be necessary! You just wait here, I will be back before you know it” 

Without waiting for my response, he strode off to meet with the strange lady, who had been joined by a slightly older woman who looked so much like her, and I knew immediately, that she must be her mother.

Mrs Blackwoods, my soon-to-be mother-in-law for the next three years has also joined the trio. 

Ethan seemed to be leading them to the back of the hall, while the lady and her mother were arguing and pointing at me before turning their furious gaze back at Ethan.

Though I couldn't hear them, it didn't take a genius to figure out that the conversation was about me and that they did not want Ethan to get married to me.

I turned my eyes from them as I searched the pews, feeling exposed and embarrassed as everyone was watching the spectacle unfolding before everyone. 

I desperately want to know who that lady was and why she is vehemently opposing the wedding. Could she be one of Ethan's many girlfriends? 

Some of the guests gazed at me with pity, while others were outrightly hostile.

I quickly took my eyes away from them, scanning through the strange faces until I found the worried gaze of my brothers. I attempted to force a smile to reassure them that everything was fine, but it was more of a grimace.

Their eyes seem to ask me the same question that I have been asking myself since I signed that damn contract, a week ago. Do I really want to proceed with this farce of a marriage?

But what other choice do I have? Austin and Aiden are my responsibility and I have to do everything within my power to ensure they have the best out of life, even if the price is giving up my freedom and enduring snide remarks for the next three years. 

After what felt like hours when it was just barely ten minutes, Ethan walked back to me at the altar.

“Father, we are ready to take our vows,” he said with confidence, taking my hands in his. 

I was almost tempted to snatch it back. I took a deep breath, reminding myself I had to act like I was in love with Ethan and not like I was a second away from punching him.

We exchanged our vows without any further interruption and when the priest asked if there was anyone who had a reason why we should not be joined in holy matrimony, no one objected. I heaved a sigh of relief.

I couldn't help but notice both the strange Lady, her mother, and Ethan's mother were noticeably absent.

As soon as the Priest pronounced us husband and wife, the guests who were the de creme de la creme of New York and Ethan's family except his mother came to say their congratulations.

Since Austin and Aiden are the only family I have and though I would have wanted Bridget to be here, I had no one else to invite

Soon Ethan was swallowed up by people trying to engage him in various conversations and others congratulating him for finally leaving his playboy lifestyle, as if that was even possible. 

Most of the guests outrightly snubbed me, while some pretended not to see me as they all fought over themselves to talk to Ethan, especially the Ladies. 

I looked around trying to find a way to escape from this madness without it appearing like I was running away, when Aiden and Austin forced their way to me, each taking my hands.

“May we have this dance?” Aiden asked bowing dramatically

“Yes you may my liege!” my face lit up with the first genuine smile since this nightmare of a wedding started.

I allowed them to lead me to a space in the middle of the floor. 

“I will be back Lexi,” Austin said as he walked up to the DJ and whispered something to him before striding back to us. Before he got to us my favorite song “Love and Family” started playing.

“Today is your wedding day Lexi! Your wedding! Don't allow these bunch of idiots to ruin your day!” Aiden chastised, picking up a glass of champagne from a nearby waiter and passing it to me.

I took the glass of champagne smiling gratefully at him before lifting it to my lips and gulping the whole content before handing over the empty glass to the waiter.

Aiden is right! Tonight is my wedding and I am not going to let anyone make me feel like a fool. Ethan can ignore me all he wants, but right this minute I have the best people in the world. 

So long as I have my brothers with me, I am confident I would overcome any and everything Ethan, his family, and these obnoxious stuck-up socialites would throw at me tonight.

With those thoughts in my mind, I ignored everything and danced to the rhythm of the song. Ethan can go to hell! Who says I need a groom to dance with me when I have two amazing brothers who dance better?