The Wedding

The much-anticipated day had arrived—the day Evelyn and Adrian were to be wed. The venue was a tapestry of blossoms, and a gentle, romantic melody swirled through the air. Evelyn, radiant in her wedding gown, stood at the altar, a mix of anticipation and nervousness etched on her face. The guests had assembled, eagerly awaiting the union that would intertwine two lives.

"Where is he?" Mrs. Sterling asked her husband as they couldn't get in touch with Adrian, their son. 

As the minutes ticked away, Evelyn's gaze darted towards the entrance, searching for the imminent arrival of her soon-to-be husband. Adrian's unexpected tardiness sent a ripple of discomfort among the attendees.

"Where are you, Adrian? You're not supposed to be late."

In the background, Jane and Janella exchanged sly glances, their lips curling into amused smirks. They delighted in the prospect of embarrassing Evelyn, reveling in the thought of her being left alone on her wedding day.

"He's probably having second thoughts," Janella whispered to Jane, her voice dripping with mockery.

Jane chuckled, "Poor Evelyn. She thought she could escape her fate, but fate seems to have other plans for her."

Evelyn, unaware of their malicious whispers, clutched the edges of her veil, trying to conceal the unease that threatened to surface. The glances from the guests once filled with excitement, now held a tinge of sympathy as they waited for the missing groom.

Just as the tension reached its peak, the doors swung open. A hushed murmur swept through the crowd as Adrian made his entrance, dressed in a sharp suit that complemented the grandeur of the occasion.

"You came," she uttered inside her mind while looking at Adrian, walking towards her. 

Jane and Janella's smirks melted into surprise, replaced by a subtle unease. Adrian's belated arrival caught them off guard, leaving them momentarily flustered.

Reaching the altar, Adrian stood beside Evelyn, his expression a blend of apology and determination. He gently took her hand in his, silently conveying that all was well.

"I'm sorry for being late," he whispered to Evelyn, his unwavering gaze meeting hers.

Relieved by his presence, Evelyn managed a small smile. "It's okay. As long as you're here. Thank you for coming."

Janella was looking at Adrian, and she scoffed, "That's Adrian, Sterling?" she asked herself in surprised. "He's handsome as hell, mother. How could I..."

"My daughter, calm down. Their wealth is not worthy of you. I promise to find someone else better than him, right?"

"Yes, mother."

The tension that had gripped the venue began to dissipate as Adrian and Evelyn stood together at the altar. The officiant, sensing the need to move forward, urged, "Shall we proceed?" Evelyn and Adrian exchanged a quick, reassuring glance, signaling their readiness.

The officiant initiated the ceremony, his voice carrying over the quiet anticipation in the air. "Adrian, do you take Evelyn to be your lawfully wedded wife, to have and to hold, in sickness and in health, for richer or poorer, as long as you both shall live?"

Adrian's eyes, filled with sincerity, locked onto Evelyn's as he responded, "I do."

Evelyn, in her delicate wedding gown, spoke next, her words carrying the weight of genuine commitment. "And Evelyn, do you take Adrian to be your lawfully wedded husband, to have and to hold, in sickness and in health, for richer or poorer, as long as you both shall live?"

Evelyn, meeting Adrian's gaze, declared with unwavering resolve, "I do."

The officiant nodded, satisfied, and continued with the ceremony. Evelyn spoke from the heart, promising to stand by Adrian through thick and thin. Her vows resonated with a truth that surpassed the confines of the arranged marriage they had once been thrust into.

As the officiant reached the moment of "You may now kiss the bride," a collective murmur of excitement swept through the crowd. Evelyn and Adrian turned towards each other, their eyes reflecting the journey that had led them to this pivotal moment.

Adrian, unable to contain his affection, cupped her cheek gently, and with a tender smile, he leaned in. He placed his thumbs on her lips, a gesture of respect for their private moment. Evelyn, feeling his touch, closed her eyes, enveloped in a sense of security that only Adrian could provide.

As they pulled away, the applause and cheers of the guests filled the air, celebrating the union of two souls who had defied the constraints imposed upon them.

"How could she be happy like this, mother? How could she smile to us like that?" Janella asked in disappointment at how Evelyn looked so happy with Adrian like they were really dating each other. 

"Janella, what are you doing? Don't make it affect you. You can find better than Adrian. He's just handsome, but not as rich as the man you will marry soon," her mother reassures her, and she nodded with a grin.

Later that night, Adrian and Evelyn found themselves in Adrian's cozy apartment. It was here that Evelyn discovered a truth about Adrian's financial standing.

"I'm sorry about this, but my family isn't really well-off. In short, we're not really rich," Adrian confessed with honesty.

"So what?" Evelyn responded, her tone nonchalant.

"So, you're not dis-"

"Why would I? This place is so cozy and peaceful," she interrupted, a smile playing on her lips.

Adrian couldn't help but be relieved by Evelyn's nonchalant response. Her acceptance, despite the revelation about his family's financial status, reassured him that their connection went beyond material wealth.

"I'm glad you feel that way," Adrian said, a genuine smile gracing his lips. "I wanted to be honest with you, Evelyn. I believe in transparency in our relationship."

Later that night, Adrian and Evelyn went to Adrian's apartment, where she found out that Adrian wasn't really a well-off man. 

"I'm sorry about this, but my family isn't really well-off. In short, we're not really rich," he honestly uttered.

"So what?" she asked him, unbothered. 

"So, you're not dis-"

"Why would I? This place is so cozy and peaceful," she answered with a smile on her lips. 

Adrian couldn't help but be relieved by Evelyn's nonchalant response. Her acceptance, despite the revelation about his family's financial status, reassured him that their connection went beyond material wealth.

Adrian couldn't help but be relieved by Evelyn's nonchalant response. Her acceptance, despite the revelation about his family's financial status, reassured him that their connection went beyond material wealth.

"I'm glad you feel that way," Adrian said, a genuine smile playing on his lips. "I wanted to be honest with you, Evelyn. I believe in transparency in our relationship."

Evelyn nodded, appreciating his honesty. "Adrian, wealth doesn't define a person, and it certainly doesn't define love. I remember my mother," she said, her voice sounding sad.

"Your mother? Mrs. Jane?" he asked, but she shook her head.

"No. She's my stepmother," she confessed.

"What? I thought she was your mom?" he was surprised to find it out.

Evelyn looked out of the window, her gaze distant as memories of her childhood resurfaced. The city lights twinkled in the night, casting a soft glow on her face.

"My mother passed away when I was very young," she began, her voice carrying a weight of both sadness and resilience. "Jane is my stepmother. She came into my life when I needed someone the most, or so I thought."

Adrian, realizing that there was more to Evelyn's story than met the eye, reached out, gently placing his hand over hers in a gesture of comfort.

"I grew up in a family that never truly accepted me. The expectations, the cruelty—I always felt like an outsider in my own home. And my real father, well, he never intervened," Evelyn continued, her eyes reflecting the pain of years gone by.

Adrian tightened his grip on her hand, silently conveying his support. Evelyn took a deep breath, as if releasing the heavy burden she had carried for so long.

"But you, Adrian, you're different," she said, turning to meet his gaze. "You didn't judge me based on my family's wealth or social standing. You saw me for who I am. And for that, I'm grateful."

Adrian's eyes held a warmth that went beyond words. "Evelyn, I may not have grown up in luxury, but I've learned that love and understanding are far more valuable than material wealth. I promise to give you a peaceful and happy married life, Evelyn."