Chapter 3 The Surprising Groom

On the big day of the wedding, the church was decorated fancy and surprising. Fresh flowers smelled lovely, fancy silks on the seats, and classical music softly played by a world-class orchestra.

Candles made the place warm and golden, creating a special feeling for the ceremony. Everything was made perfect without leaving any details of mistakes.

"Mom, didn't you tell me Brandon was half-exiled from the Simons?" Blair complained, unsatisfied that they had spent so much for an infamous son

Olive heaved a breath, "The Simons are a grand family who wouldn't like to lose their reputation even if this is only the wedding of an unwanted son." She patted the arm of her anxious daughter, "Wait and see, it won't be an easy time for that little slut to have such an asshole of a husband."

Meanwhile, Kinsey stood in the dressing room, a mixture of disbelief and awe reflected in her eyes as she gazed at the extravagant wedding dress. It starkly contrasted with the other modest one, which her family called an honor to let her wear some outdated dress of Blair.

The Simons family had sent a new wedding dress, which was out of Kinsey's expectation.

"How amazing this is?" Kinsey couldn't help but compliment it.

Her makeup artist nodded in admiration, "Indeed, this is the most beautiful wedding gown I have ever seen. Only a top designer could create such a masterpiece."

"But how could..." Kinsey was confused as everyone said her groom-to-be was an unwanted son of that family.

Right at that moment, the door swung open and Gordon entered with a venomous glare.

"Sir, this room is for the bride. Irrelevant one shouldn't be here." The makeup artist alerted but only got Gordon's sneer, "Irrelevant one? Ask her if I am someone irrelevant."

His eyes still fixed on her and Kinsey knew he wouldn't give up easily. Sighing, she instructed the makeup artist to get out, "Let me talk to him."

The room was left silent when it was just them two.

Kinsey looked away trying to pick her words. They hadn't contacted each other since that day. Gordon had also noticed the gorgeous wedding dress, his eyes filled with a toxic blend of hatred and jealousy. He could foresee how amazing she would look in this wedding dress, she was supposed to marry him but now she was going to another man.

The venom in his words stung as he sneered, "Well, Kinsey. You finally managed to hook up with a wealthy family. What's the price you're paying for this little charade?"

Kinsey was taken aback by Gordon's bitter tone. With a sardonic smile, Gordon continued, "I hope you're enjoying your Cinderella moment, Kinsey. But remember, fairy tales don't last forever."

His face, distorted by jealousy, was no longer handsome. Kinsey couldn't believe that she had loved the man before her for five years. What gave him the nerve to throw such harsh words on her wedding day when he was the one who betrayed their relationship first?

"It's my choice and I'm willing to take the risk," Kinsey swallowed the bitterness inside her and turned her back on him. "If you're not here to bless me, then leave now."

Seeing her indifferent back, Gordon was unable to contain his frustration anymore. "Tell me, Kinsey, how could I bless you? We've been together for years, yet you forget all of it in just a blink of an eye and marry another. How should you expect I would bless you?!"

The bitterness and frustration in his tone make her feel tears. Yes, how had they gotten this far?

"You crossed the line first, Gordon. The baby in Blair's belly is yours, and you can't deny it," Her response was laced with deep bitterness.

Gordon, taken aback by her response, was momentarily speechless. He didn't realize she already knew. Blair had promised him it would be a secret for a while.

"It was a mistake, Kinsey. I was drunk that night," he finally said, feebly. "I thought..."

"A mistake? Then why didn't you tell me? Three months and you have no true word for me." Her tone couldn't help full of complaint.

Exhaustion washed over her. "Gordon, get out. It's not good for us to talk about the past, as you will be my brother-in-law soon."

"I don't care!" Gordon, desperate and unwilling to give up, "Kinsey, let's run away," he pleaded, reaching for Kinsey's hand and making her face his gaze. "Let's run away and start over!"

The unexpected proposition caught her off guard but the thought of Connor's mounting medical bills and the innocent baby in Blair's belly weighed heavily on her.

In a moment of desperation, she fabricated a lie, "I don't love you anymore, Gordon."

"I'm marrying Brandon Simons," she said, biting her lower lip as she pushed Gordon's hands away.

"He's a loser! You won't be happy marrying him!" Gordon snapped and even forcefully held her nack trying to get her feeling for him back with a kiss. Kinsey was shocked by his impulsive action but quickly slapped him in anger, leaving him frozen in his position.

"Don't you dare touch me after all this!" She raised her voice, "Leave, Gordon. The talk time is over."

Hearing her calling, the makeup artist immediately came in. Feeling defeated, Gordon walked but left her the last word.

"You'll beg me back after you realize what a monster you married."

Kinsey's facade crumbled, tears silently tracing down her cheeks. Her wedding day became a turbulent storm of conflicting emotions. The makeup artist felt sorry for Kinsey but could do nothing, so she continued her job with her best. Kinsey is already beautiful; she highlighted her features and made her the most beautiful bride of the year.

With her dress up complete, Kinsey was led into the grand wedding hall. Her new gown adorned her figure, radiating elegance. As she stepped into the hall, everyone gasped at her beauty even making Blair's eyes widen with jealousy.

Guests murmured excitedly, and the atmosphere buzzed with the promise of a union between two prominent families. Yet, as the moments ticked by, the expected groom, Brandon Simons, was noticeably absent.

"Why isn't your handsome groom here, Kinsey?" Blair seized the opportunity to taunt, "Oh, he's probably too ugly to be seen and he needs more time to dress up." Everyone said Brandon was a monster. Blair was expecting to see Kinsey standing beside him. That scene must have been hilarious.

Kinsey clenched her dress as she heard the ill will in her tone. Though she had nothing about Brandon Simons, Kinsey knew clearly what kind of husband Oliver and Blair wanted for her. He was impossible to be a handsome gentleman but someone with obvious flaws.

However, standing there was no longer any chance for her to step back. She couldn't afford the risk of annoying the Simons Family and poor Connor was still waiting for her in his hospital bed. Her sacrifice would be worth it. She hoped. God bless her that Brandon could at least be a kind man.

All Kinsey could do now was wait for her husband-to-be.

Blair intentionally made her voice louder for Kinsey to hear. "Gordon, what would our wedding be like? Would it be much more lavish than this?"

Gordon replied coldly while his eyes still fixed on Kinsey, "Blair, this is not the right place to discuss our wedding."

Blair felt disappointed, but her gloating smile widened when she caught a figure at the entrance.

The heavy church door creaked open, and a man shuffled in. He was quite the sight—portly, unattractive, and with a shining bald head.

"Look, Kinsey, your groom has arrived! What a splendid couple you two will make," Blair laughed out loud, pointing to the man.

Kinsey felt her nails pierced her palms. However, she could only accept her fate. “All for Connor.” She murmured to herself as she forced herself to face it. As she was about to greet the supposed groom, the man just simply found his seat and sat down. He was only a guest. Kinsey was relieved while Blair stomped her foot in anger.

"Maybe her husband-to-be is much uglier than that bald man," Blair comforted herself upon saying that.

Right at the same time, the door opened again and an unexpected figure appeared. A man in a couture suit entered the fancy church, looking noble and handsome. With his every step, he walked like a heavenly deity. No one man could move their eyes away from him.

Blair was dumbstruck, complaining to her mother. "M...Mother, it's not the same as what you told me." This man was simply a masterpiece from heaven.

Olive swallowed hard, "I...I don't know. They said he's just an unwanted son...Maybe this one isn't..."

Blair and Olive couldn't help but hope this was only a stranger who wandered by mistake, just like the previous bald man. But the last shred of their delusion was shattered when the priest announced that the groom arrived and the ceremony should begin.

"Forgive my tardiness, my bride."

Kinsey felt incredulous as she looked at the man who was gently kissing her hand.

Who could tell her? Why did Brandon Simons share the same face as the man she'd had a one-night stand with at the casino?