CH010

"Are you really going to do this Jasmine?" Mia asked with alot of concern in her voice as she stared dotingly at her friend who sat in front of the mirror of the dressing room they were in.

"I am more than ready to do this Mia. You won't know what I've planned since I found out the details of Arun's betrayal. You can't imagine how I felt" she replied, trying her hardest to restrain the tears that wanted to escape from her eyes.

"I understand how hurt you must feel but must you really do this? Marrying him? I found it ridiculous you wanted the marriage to hold today that he is supposed to marry Maya. Isn't that a little bit rushed? Are you sure you won't regret this decision later?"

" Chill Mia. I am ready for whatever unfolds, whether good or bad. I am more than ready to face it heads on" she calmly said and Mia had no other option than to sit back and watch her.

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The grand hall of the Saint Marie Cathedral was bathed in a golden glow from the afternoon sun, streaming through the stained glass windows. A delicate and almost melancholic melody played in the background as guests, all from high society filled the pews.

They had gathered to witness what was supposed to be the most anticipated wedding of the year: Marshall Yugo and Maya Jaiswal, the two most famed billionaire children in the whole city of Qhezon. But, as the hour of the ceremony approached, the tension in the air became palpable.

Maya's heart raced with excitement and nervousness as she stood in front of the mirror in the bridal suite. She smiled to herself imagining the look that would be on Marshall’s face when he would see her walking down the aisle in her masterpiece of a wedding gown.

Meanwhile, in a quiet, secluded chapel, away from the grand cathedral, Marshall Yugo stood at the altar. He was dressed in an impeccably tailored black suit, his expression one of steely resolve and demure. Jasmine, now with a new face and identity, stood beside him in a simple but elegant white dress. There were no guests, no witnesses—just the two of them, standing before a priest who was oblivious to the tangled web of emotions that had brought them together.

As the priest recited the vows, Jasmine’s mind raced with thoughts of the past. She remembered the pain, the betrayal, and the hatred that had consumed her since the day Arun had revealed his true colors. But now as she stood next to Marshall, the man who had saved her from the abyss and offered her a chance at revenge, she felt more than ever, a renewed sense of purpose.

When it was time for Marshall to speak his vows, he turned to face Jasmine- the woman of his dreams, his gaze unwavering. His voice which deep and resonant echoed in the small chapel.

"I, Marshall Yugo, take you, Jasmine, to be my wife. I vow to stand by your side, not just in love, but in your quest for justice and retribution. I promise to be your ally, your partner, and your weapon in this war against those who have wronged you. Together, we will rise, and together, we will destroy all who stand in our way."

Jasmine felt a shiver run down her spine. These were not the words of a traditional wedding vow but were exactly what she needed to hear. She racked her head thinking if there had been somewhere she knew him from. They were pretty much just strangers for him to make such a vow in front of the altar for her. Her curiosity piqued but she had to tone it down. It was not important at the moment. What was, was the fact that he was willing to help her.

Her turn came, and she looked into Marshall’s eyes.

"I, Jasmine, take you, Marshall, as my husband. I vow to be your partner in this journey, to trust you with my life, as you have trusted me with yours. This is not just a marriage, but a pact—bound by our mutual need for vengeance."

The priest oblivious to the weight of the words being exchanged, pronounced them husband and wife. There was no applause, no cheering—just a solemn silence as the vows were sealed with a kiss....their promise of destruction hidden behind the tender gesture.

***********

Back at the cathedral, Maya’s unease grew as the minutes ticked by. The ceremony was supposed to have started, but there was no sign of Marshall. She looked at her phone, hoping for a message, an explanation—anything. But the screen remained dark, offering no comfort.

The guests had began leaving one by one as they had come and only few were left, she couldn't shake off the embarrassment she felt nor the questioning gazes she got from her mother who sat at an opposite end to her.

Finally, the doors of the bridal suite burst open and Arun rushed in towards her, his face flushed with panic.

"Maya, we need to leave," he said, grabbing her by the arm.

"What are you talking about?" she snapped, yanking her arm free. "I’m about to get married!"

"Marshall’s gone. He… he married someone else. We need to get out of here before the press gets wind of this." He frantically said, forgetting his steeze and composure and trying his hardest to save the woman he loved from the embarrassment that this incident would cause her.

Maya felt the world tilt beneath her feet. Marshall… married someone else? The words didn’t make sense. How could this be happening? Her vision blurred as rage bubbled up inside her.

"No. This can’t be. He wouldn’t… he wouldn’t do this to me!" she shouted at him. "He needs me more than I do. Why would he break off at the last minute?" She questioned no one in particular.

If Marshall Yugo thought he could humiliate her like this and get away with it, he was gravely mistaken. She would make him pay for this. And whoever that woman was that he married—she would pay too.

"Let's get married" she said.

"What?" Arun replies her.

"Didn't you hear what I said? Let's get married. I can't be humiliated this way. Not now ,not ever!!"

Arun stood with his eyes fixated on her lost in thoughts. What did she really want? After rejecting him? He wouldn't accept her now that she was throwing herself at him because she got jilted. He promised himself but as she extended her hand out to him for a handshake, he couldn't bring himself not to accept her offer of the marriage he had always dreamed of..... Marriage to her... She Maya Jaiswal.