Chapter 2

 Amelia’s pov

At exactly 8am, I was woken up by my smiling mother and other people who I didn't recognise. I realised they were hairstylists and make-up artists later on. 

I was bathed in scented water and I was seated in my vanity. Then my hairstylist began, she flat ironed my dark curls which I didn’t like but Luke did. I wanted to protest but refrained to not alert suspicion, today would be the last day anyway. 

When she finished, my makeup artist stepped in before I could even breathe. She was giving me subtle nude makeup but then my mother spoke up; “I don't like that shade, give her bolder lips and eyes too, her her husband likes her looking outstanding.” 

My stomach twisted at her calling him my husband but it was the truth, he really did like me looking this particular way.

 By the time the makeup artist finished, my mom had little tears in her eyes as she stared at me through the mirror, she delicately placed the diamond necklace and earrings on me and sighed contentedly.

“You're so beautiful my darling girl, this wedding will be the best thing that has ever happened to us." She whispered, squeezing my shoulders. 

If only she knew. 

I got up and the artists helped me into my off shoulder dress, straightening out the hem when my sister came into the room, she was wearing a wine long dress which had a thigh high slit and accentuated her curves. 

“Nice dress sis.”She said looking me up and down and bile rose up to my throat, I was beyond disgusted. The very sight of her made me want to puke. 

When I said nothing, she smiled awkwardly and told me she was happy for me, sounding so fake and I wondered if she had always sounded like this and I was just too in love to see it. 

She was wearing similar make up as mine, she gave one more awkward smile before disappearing out of the room. I almost pounced on her. 

When it was time, my mother handed me my bouquet of flowers and escorted me out of the room to go meet with my father who was already waiting at the entrance of the massive hall, looking sharp in a crisp white and black suit along with Scarlett. He helped my mother and I out of the car and smiled gently at me. 

As we stood face to face, my eyes watered and he smiled sadly, most likely thinking I was crying because I was getting married and leaving home. 

A certain urgency gripped me, I wanted to tell him something was wrong, that I had found out that Luke wasn't the man I thought he was but he cradled my face in one palm. 

“My dear girl, you look beautiful, don't worry we'll come visit you now stop those tears.” He flicked away the tears that were threatening to fall and I nodded my head meekly. 

He took my hand and led me into the hall and I steeled myself against what was about to happen. Against what I had done and was about to transpire. 

Luke watched me from the front of the hall with hungry, ravaging eyes. 

I was just the kind of bride he wanted. 

I knew it from the way he stared at me as my father dropped me off with him at the front of the hall. 

“I can't wait for us to be alone.” He mouthed to me and I had to stop myself from spitting right on his face in front of all the guests present. My veil was still covering my face so he couldn’t see me scowling at him. 

The media began to work on projecting our lovely slideshow and I gripped my bouquet in anticipation. 

Inappropriate sounds first filled the room before the image appeared on the screen, everyone including my parents and Luke gasped in shock, the media team were also in shock because they remained rooted to the spot watching as the groom drilled into the bride's sister. 

My parents quickly snapped out of it and ran to where they were, shutting it off. I stepped away from him and faced the crowd boldly, not bothering to take off my veil. 

“I will no longer be getting married to this lying cheat!” I yelled, fighting back tears and the crowd gasped again. But before I knew it, my parents were pulling me aside into a nearby room in the hall. 

“Oh mom, I had to this to expose him to you. Can you believe what Luke did with Scarlett?” I said as soon as we were alone but they weren’t looking in the least bit sympathetic, they looked angry. 

“So you did that? How could you embarrass your family like that in public? Do you want to ruin our reputation?” My mom almost yelled at me and I was shocked. 

“You're bothered about your reputation when my life has just been ruined?” I asked in disbelief and my mother snapped. 

“You ruined your life by yourself. But we can still fix things, now wipe those tears, fix your makeup so we can get on with the wedding.”

“No, I can’t marry that man.” I said defiantly and my mother looked like a vein popped in her head. She looked like she was about to lunge for me but my father gripped her arm. 

“Look, we are about to go bankrupt, all our assets, our properties everything gone, but Luke's family has promised to aid us once your wedding is over. So please, just go on with it.” My father's tone was just as hard as his words and I wondered where my real father was, this couldn’t be him. 

“I don't care about all that! I rather beg on the streets than be tied to that monster for life!” I yelled because this was pure insanity, how could they choose wealth over my pain. 

“Well, your sister will replace you.” My mother said. 

“Scarlett.... no.” I said weakly, looking at her pleadingly but she was already nodding in agreement and my knees buckled, I fainted.