Chapter 2 (The Wedding)

Diane and Nina were standing, holding flowers and gifts behind the door.

“We flew in a day early to be with you before your big day.”

“Yeah, we know mum will be stressing you out, so we came as soon as we received the invite.” Diane said. She was a taller, more tanned version of me. Her black hair was two shades darker than mine and that was because fashion trends these days were jet black hair with no trace of blond. 

Nina on the other hand had a short brown bob with fringes. She has clearly fit into the French streetwear style. 

“So, who is the man, and how is he?”

I slouched and slumped into my bed immediately I got into my room. “It’s Don Raymond. Don’t tell me mother forgot to put that in the invitation card.”

“Isn’t he like that self absorbed, fancy billionaire with the tv station and the rugby club, and the many many real estate houses?”

“And the construction company, and the wicked law firm-” Nina squealed, in addition.

“Okay guys, I get it. He is very rich. But very cold towards me,” I groaned.

“Well, maybe he will come around,” Diane put in. “How did you guys meet anyway?”

I looked up at her with beady eyes. My sister and best friend instantly got the message and joined me in bed.

“Oh no.”

“Don’t tell me.”

I nodded, unable to speak.

“Did mum really arrange a marriage with you and a billionaire just to get our family out of debt?”

I could not stop the tears from pouting out.

“What about your father?”

“He is aware. He will be there for the wedding. Mother pushed his hand, he has no say either.”

“Eleanor Monroe must always get what she wants,” Diane said, touching my wet cheek with a silk cloth.

The wedding day arrived faster than I could comprehend. I barely slept the night before.

The house buzzed with activity from dawn. Maids flitted around like frantic bees, adjusting decorations for the afterparty and running last-minute errands.

Mother oversaw everything, her voice cutting through the morning air with commands.

“Cassie, sit still!”

The makeup artist dabbed powder on my cheek. I clenched my fingers together, trying to keep my breathing even. My stomach was in knots and it was my mother’s best advice not to eat anything on the day of your wedding for the dress.

Nina sat beside me, offering a reassuring squeeze on my knee. Diane stood near the mirror, adjusting her earrings.

“You look beautiful, Cassie,” Nina whispered.

I swallowed. The reflection staring back at me didn’t feel like mine. A white gown with delicate lace hugged my figure, and a diamond tiara sparkled in my curled hair.

I was a bride, but I didn’t feel like one. Not truly.

“Time to go,” Mother announced, clapping her hands.

The drive to the cathedral was silent. I sat in the back of the limousine, my heart hammering. My dad waited at the front door and took my hand, offering a trembling smile. He was ashamed that he could not do anything to stop his wife from the madness. Don Raymond was waiting at the altar.

I stepped into the hall, inhaling sharply.

Cameras flashed. Guests turned to watch as I walked up the grand steps, my father strode beside me. He looked exhausted. Older. Weaker. But he still forced a smile.

“This is the best for us,” he whispered.

I nodded, but I wasn’t sure if I believed him.

The grand cathedral was breathtaking. Golden chandeliers, marble floors, and towering stained-glass windows cast rainbow colors across the aisle.

At the end of that aisle stood Don Raymond. His dark suit was impeccable, his expression unreadable. He watched me approach, his posture stiff. Every step I took felt heavier.

Then, we stood face to face. Dad had stopped at the steps and handed me over to my soon-to-be husband. The priest cleared his throat.

“We are gathered here today...”

My mind blurred through the words.

Vows. Rings. Promises I wasn’t sure I could keep.

“Do you, Cassandra Monroe, take Donovan Raymond to be your lawfully wedded husband?”

Silence. The weight of the moment crashed over me. I felt every pair of eyes on me. Arthur was seated on the first row, and as promised, his second son was missing in action. We kept his chair empty just in case he wanted to show up last minute. Behind me, I could feel my mother’s eys on me, holding her breath. She shifted loudly in her seat.

Don’s gaze bore into mine.

Nina offered me a back-to-earth pat on my back. My lips parted. “I do.”

The words barely made a sound. Don slid the ring onto my trembling finger. Then, he offered his hand.I hesitated because it was the first time he would ever accept us holding hands and something told me that it would be the last. I placed my palm in his still. His grip was firm. Possessive.

“You may kiss the bride.”

He didn’t hesitate.

His lips pressed against mine, firm but distant.

A kiss for the crowd, not for me.

Applause erupted.

The wedding day arrived faster than I could comprehend.

I barely slept the night before. The house buzzed with activity from dawn. Maids flitted around like frantic bees, adjusting decorations and running last-minute errands.

Mother oversaw everything, her voice cutting through the morning air with commands. “Cassie, sit still!”

The makeup artist dabbed powder on my cheek. I clenched my fingers together, trying to keep my breathing even. My stomach was in knots.

Nina sat beside me, offering a reassuring squeeze on my knee. Diane stood near the mirror, adjusting her earrings.

“You look beautiful, Cassie,” Nina whispered.

I swallowed. The reflection staring back at me didn’t feel like mine. A white gown with delicate lace hugged my figure, and a diamond tiara sparkled in my curled hair. I was a bride, but I didn’t feel like one.

Not truly.

“Time to go,” Mother announced, clapping her hands.

The drive to the cathedral was silent. I sat in the back of the limousine, my heart hammering. Don Raymond was waiting at the altar. Theo opened the door, offering a hand. I stepped out, inhaling sharply.

Cameras flashed. Guests turned to watch as I walked up the grand steps, my father beside me. He looked exhausted. Older. Weaker. But he still forced a smile.

“This is the best for us,” he whispered.

I nodded, but I wasn’t sure if I believed him.

Inside, the grand cathedral was breathtaking. Golden chandeliers, marble floors, and towering stained-glass windows cast rainbow colors across the aisle. At the end of that aisle stood Don Raymond. His dark suit was impeccable, his expression unreadable. He watched me approach, his posture stiff.

Every step I took felt heavier.

Then, we stood face to face. The priest cleared his throat.

“We are gathered here today..."

My mind blurred through the words. Vows. Rings. Promises I wasn’t sure I could keep.

“Do you, Cassandra Monroe, take Donovan Raymond to be your lawfully wedded husband?”

Silence.

The weight of the moment crashed over me. I felt every pair of eyes on me. Mother shifted in her seat. Don’s gaze bore into mine.

My lips parted. “I do.”

The words barely made a sound. Don slid the ring onto my trembling finger. Then, he offered his hand. I hesitated, then placed my palm in his. His grip was firm. Possessive.

“You may kiss the bride.”

He didn’t hesitate. His lips pressed against mine, firm but distant. A kiss for the crowd, not for me. Applause erupted.

After the wedding, Don led me to the waiting car. A limo of course. The moment the door shut, the warmth vanished. Silence filled the space between us. His jaw was tight. His hands rested on his lap, fingers tapping an impatient rhythm. No words. No tenderness.

The ride to his estate stretched endlessly with Theo on the wheel. I wanted to lean in and say I was excited for our marriage but it felt unnatural.

When we arrived, I barely had time to take in the towering mansion before he stepped out, walking ahead without a glance back. I followed, my chest tight. Inside, the house was cold. Dark. Too perfect, too lifeless, just like Arthur described it. He turned to me, his eyes sharp.

“There are rules, Cassandra.”

His voice was quiet, but it landed with a thud.

I swallowed. “Rules?”

“You don’t question me.” His gaze pinned me in place. “You don’t disobey me. And you don’t make a fool of me in public.”

A lump formed in my throat. “Is that all?”

His lips curled slightly, almost amused. “No. I cannot java a phone for the next few weeks until you prove that you can be trusted.” He stretched his arm in front of me.

“You are seizing my phone?”

He didn't say anything and I just handed him the device, slapping it into his big hands.

“You are not married to a big family around here and you must not do anything to stain my image.”

My fingers trembled as I clutched the folds of my gown. “And if I do?”

His expression darkened. “Don’t.”

The weight of his words settled over me. I felt trapped. My eyes burned, but I refused to let the tears fall. He turned away, dismissing me like an afterthought.

A maid appeared, bowing slightly. “Mrs. Raymond, I’ll show you to your room.”

My room. Not ours.

“The boss has prepared a separate room for you to sleep in.” 

My body followed the small courteous woman but my eyes never left Don’s back.

I followed her up the grand staircase, my steps unsteady. The room was massive, pristine, impersonal. Heavy curtains shut out the night. A four-poster bed stood in the center, but I felt no comfort in it.

As the door closed behind after the maid left, reality set in. I was alone. No calls. No messages. No escape. I pressed a hand over my mouth, stifling a sob. This was my life now,I thought.