Chapter 5: The Wedding

Elena’s POV:

My dad walked me down the aisle in my beautiful dress. I gathered the courage to walk down to the altar, forcing a smile on my face and hiding my pain. My heart bled with so much pain.

My make-up and hair were retouched, and I looked calm and collected. It looked like a scandal never happened, but deep down inside of me, I was burning and filled with regret. 

As we approached the altar, I looked up. I was stunned to see the man standing in front of the altar, waiting for me. 

My eyes widened when I saw a tall man standing at the altar in a black Armani suit. His short, curly hair and his piercing blue eyes met mine. 

The same guy from the club whom I was accused of cheating with. He is the billionaire’s heir. He isn’t as crippled as everyone believed. Rumour has it that he was crippled just like his dad, but they were all lies. 

Other people said he was gay, which was why he refused to get married and take over his father's companies. 

I stopped at the altar and stood close to Nicklaus, despite my regret. His blue, piercing eyes glanced at me. His tall and muscular body made him look like a model. His trimmed, curly hair and his straight jaw made him look perfect. He looked hot and sexy.

I am sure he has a lot of lovers. I don't know if they are of the opposite gender, but he surely looks like a player. 

I glanced at him with my side eyes as he gestured his hands for me to hold. I didn't know it was the guy from the club that I was getting married to. He looked so handsome, and his lips were still attractive and soft. I have never seen anyone as handsome as him. Not even Caleb, but my heart doesn't belong to him.

The priest commenced with the marriage rites. The whole congregation was seated and watched in silence.

Who would have thought I would be getting married to the man everyone thought I cheated on with my ex-fiancee? This definitely feels like a coincidence.

“Nicklaus, do you take Elena Williams to be your lawfully wedded wife?” The priest asked,

“Yes, I do.” He mentioned. His voice was deep and firm.

The priest turned to me and said, “Elena, do you take Nicklaus Coleman to be your lawfully wedded husband?”

I paused for a moment, feeling unsure. I looked to the congregation, and my father nodded his head with a blank look on his face. I closed my eyes and inhaled.

“Yes, I do,” I replied. Knowing that at this moment, there was no going back. 

“Nicklaus Coleman, repeat after me.” The priest spoke, “Elena Williams, I take you to be my wife, in sickness and in health, in good times and in bad, for richer and for poorer, till death do us part.”

Nivklaus reluctantly repeated after the priest, with his eyes still fixed on me. 

The priest turned to me. “Elena Williams, repeat after me,” he said. “Nicklaus Coleman I take you to be my husband, in sickness and in health, in good times and in bad, for richer and for poorer, till death do us part.”

I reluctantly repeated after the priest, with a lot of questions and thoughts going through my head.

The priest faced the congregation and read, “If there’s any reason why Nicklaus and Elena should not be joined in this matrimony, please speak up, or forever hold your peace.”

Everywhere was silent. When the priest was about to proceed with the marriage rites, a loud sound at the entrance caught everybody’s attention. 

The whole crowd looked back, and it was Sarah. She walked into the church majestically as she approached us. Her entrance was so dramatic that I thought she wanted to create a scene.

I thought she wanted to object to the wedding. A part of me wanted her to do that. But she diverted and sat on the front bench with a fake smile on her face. I hope she is satisfied with everything that happened. I should never have trusted Sarah. 

All eyes were fixed on us as the priest broke the silence. 

“By the power vested in me, I now pronounce you husband and wife... You may kiss the bride.”

Nicklaus pulled me close to him, and his hand was wrapped around my waist as he gently brushed my lips with his. I closed my eyes, trying to keep myself from tearing up, but the kiss felt good. I felt his soft lips, and I couldn't resist. 

I kissed back. It felt so good that I felt chills moving down my spine. Our lips moved together. The kiss that was supposed to last for a few seconds lasted for two minutes.

The congregation cheered us with loud accolades, and I forced myself to smile as I pulled out. Nicklaus kept staring at me. I am sure he recognises me as well. 

We both walked down the aisle to the front of the building. The guests followed from behind. They all jubilated, even though I could hear some murmurs and gossip. Of course, everybody was expecting to see Caleb. 

Their gossip didn't matter to me. Zoey made sure to be by my side and cheer me up. 

Throughout the party, I faked a smile, trying not to put on a long face because I was supposed to be getting married to the man I love and not the man I met at the club.

This is another time I have to sacrifice my happiness for my family. I wish I could just run away and live my life in another place. That's all I've always dreamed of. 

The wedding ended, and all the guests were prepared to leave. We were congratulated by a lot of people, and my face hurt from so much smiling.

Just as we were about to leave, a golden Royce roll was packed in front of the hall. It was fully decorated, and the plate number read, “Newly Wed.” We both stepped inside. I realized what I had gotten myself into.

My life and my dreams have been completely shattered.