Chapter One; Wedding Bells of Deceit 1

BRIANA'S POV

As I stand at the altar, adorned in a gown that isn't mine, I can feel the weight of deception pressing down on me like a leaden veil.

The soft strains of the wedding march fill the air, mingling with the whispers of the gathered guests. All eyes are fixed on me, but they do not see the real me - they see the illusion I've been forced to embody.

I steal a glance at him, the man I am to marry, the heir to a wealthy dynasty. His chiseled features are a mask of composure, but I couldn’t deny the love that shone in his eyes. He looked at me like I was the most precious jewel, and the sincerity with which he smiled caused my heart to ache painfully for him.

Does he know the truth, or is he too blinded by duty and love to see through the charade?

My chest tightens with every step I take closer to him, knowing that this union is built on a foundation of lies. I am not the woman he was meant to marry. She fled, leaving behind a void that I, with my uncanny resemblance, have been forced to fill.

The officiant's voice washes over me, a solemn reminder of the vows I am about to speak.

"Do you take this man to be your lawfully wedded husband?"

The words echo in my mind, each syllable a piercing reminder of the betrayal I am perpetrating, but I can’t back down now, not when there’s so much at stake. I meet his gaze once more, searching for a hint of hesitation, a spark of uncertainty. But all I find is a burning want and need that didn’t match my own, this man was head over heels for me, or rather who I pretended to be. And so, with a heavy heart and a voice that threatens to betray me, I utter the words that seal our fate.

"I do."

As the ring slips onto my finger, I can feel the weight of it settling like a shackle, binding me to a life that is not my own. And yet, amidst the sea of unfamiliar faces and the swell of emotions, I only look for one person. The elegant lady who sat with the groom’s parents, her expression was unreadable, but her gaze was sharp, reminding me of the terms of our agreement. It was because of her that I was now privileged to wear a gown that I never thought I would, and it was because of her that I was pulled into a world that was vastly different from the one I had known all my life. This story had only just begun, a tale of how I married a billionaire as a side hustle.

Two weeks earlier….

“You dumb bitch!”

A sharp slap resonated around the small cafe, and my cheeks stung as my fists ball at my sides. Anger bubbled in my chest, but I remained silent as the customer continued his onslaught on me.

“How dare you say that it’s my fault after you messed up my order!” The man yelled, his veins bulging as he looked at me in pure disgust, like I resembled a grain of dust he could easily wipe away. But I continued to stay silent, trying my best to bite down the insults at the tip of my tongue, there was no use to escalate the matter forward.

“I’m sorry sir.” I force out, the words leaving a bitter taste in my mouth, but it seems my apology was not enough to soothe his rage as he takes the rejected latte and pours it on me. The hot liquid burns my skin but I don’t flinch.

“Sir! You can’t assault my workers, please leave you’re causing a commotion."

That was my boss, Mr. Riley. The frail old man steps into the scene to defend me, and my heart warms with gratitude. The customer scoffs and turns on his heels, making sure to make a declaration of, “I’ll never shop from this store again.” before finally leaving.

Once he was finally gone, Mr Riley turned to me, worry evident in his features as he examined my form. He opens his mouth to apologize but I stop him by giving a gentle pat on his back. He doesn’t have to take responsibility for someone’s lack of home training. “It’s okay boss.” I mask my true emotions with a smile, but the old man doesn’t look convinced.

“You should take the rest of the day off Briana.” he insists but I shake my head at him in refusal. “This isn’t enough to faze me, I’ll simply just change my clothes.” I tell him, “ I would only leave when my shift is over, and besides I couldn’t possibly leave you to do all the work alone. It’s a full house today.” I add once more, hoping he listens. Well, I couldn’t blame him, it wasn’t the first time I had been harassed by a customer. But he finally agreed, making sure to check up on me if I was feeling overwhelmed, he was truly a sweet man.

In the bathroom, I washed my stained clothes, grateful for the fact I always brought a spare outfit with me. I wince as the cold water runs over the scald burn marks on my arm, my expression grim as I heave out a heavy sigh.

I want to believe that I shouldn’t accept this kind of treatment but the voices in my head say otherwise, constantly reminding me that I deserved much worse.

“Get yourself together Briana,” I mutter to myself, shutting out the voices that threaten to consume me.

I was determined to not let my hardships define me .

Never again.