Chapter Four

LISA

"I,Lord Lore Cavannaugh,do take Mona Morello as my lawfully wedded wife,to love and to cherish,to hold and to protect,in sickness and in health,for richer and for richer."

Soft laughter bursts from the crowd at his statement,but the holes burning in my heart or the invisible nails clawing at my throat don't allow me to see anything to smile or laugh about. "Until death do us part."

He slips the ring on my finger and I'm handed his. My heartbeat accelerates and I'm sure I'm sweating under the veil. What if he realizes it's not me when he lifts it?

"I, L...I Mona Morello,do take Lord Lore Cavannaugh." I pause,the words stuck in my throat.

"Hey," Lore's soft voice reaches me in a whisper. "It's okay,take your time."

I swallow and draw in a sharp deep breath.

"I,Mona Morello,do take Lord Lore Cavannaugh as my lawfully wedded husband,to love and to cherish,to hold and to protect,in sickness and in health,for richer and for poor,until death do us part."

He lifts the veil off my face and I'm frozen in time,stone cold and heart beating at an unhealthy rate. When he smiles at me and studies my face,a sense of calmness fills me. He didn't notice,it's just my paranoia,Mona and I are like toothpicks in a bow.

"In the name and the laws of the Seven Kingdoms. I now pronounce you husband and wife,you may kiss the bride."

He leans in and places his soft lips to mine,his breath is like mint and I thank the heavens that it's at least bearable to let him kiss me.

When he pulls back,there's a glint of disappointment in his eyes and i know it's because i didn't return the kiss. I fake a smile to ease out the tension and he smiles back then places his palm on my jaw and gently brushes his thumb over my cheek.

"Congratulations,Mrs Cavannaugh."

"You too."

I smile as we turn to the audience.

"Ladies and gentlemen,I present to you, Lord and Lady Cavannaugh."

Cheers erupt from the crowd. I meet papa's eyes and he seems too nervous even after the marriage has gone through. As for my mother? She doesn't seem to have a care in the world,she's beaming and accepting congratulations from other people.

Oh Lisa,what have you done.

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After the after party,we leave for the Lords' house. The scene before me has me in complete shock,trust me,I come from a wealthy family but our house is nothing compared to this.

Lord Lore opens the door for me and I step inside. If the outside was hypnotizing due to how beautiful the structure is,then I don't know what to say about the inside. It screams MONEY and pure Elegance.

We walk up the stairs as he leads the way.

"I would have liked to show you around tomorrow but I'll be attending a meeting,don't worry though,because I have everything organised. Your maid Hilaria will take you on the house tour and show you the gardens. Do you like flowers?"

He pauses when we reach a door.

"Yes,I do."

"Perfect,I had a garden made specifically for you."

When I remain silent,he opens the door and ushers me inside.

A King sized bed rests against the wall in the middle,covered with very expensive and comfy looking duvets,a chandelier with glinting crystals hangs in the middle of the ceiling and a thick,smooth looking carpet covers almost half of the room. The walls are painted in cream white and brown, matching the decorations in the room perfectly.

I take in the whole interior with awe.

"Do you like it?" I startle at the sound of his voice closer to my ear.

"Y-yes. It's very beautiful."

He walks around me and goes to the drawers attached to the headboard then removes his watch and tie,he doesn't seem like a fan of jackets. He walks back to me and offers his hand,which I hesitantly take.

He pulls me to him and leans down to kiss me but I place my hand on his chest, stopping him. He frowns in confusion and I rush to quickly say,

"I'm sorry,I'm just tired."

The lines on his forehead dissapear then he smiles. There's certainly no evidence of anger or irritation on his features and I thank the heavens again.

Usually,the first night is supposed to be spent in...well,it's supposed to be an intimate night between husband and wife.

"There's no rush,I understand. It was a rather stressful day."

"Thank you." I shift from foot to foot out of nervousness. He keeps watching me, studying me carefully. I don't dare lift my eyes up to meet his.

I freeze when two lean fingers rest under my chin and lift my face. My eyes meet his grey ones and I can't help but appreciate how handsome he is.

"Have I told you that you're beautiful?"

My lips part and his gaze moves to them.

"I've met so many women in my life and trust me,they were very attractive but I've never found any of them as beautiful as you are." My heartbeat accelerates and I'm stuck in a trance I can't break free from.

"You're perfect for me,Mona." His words bring me back to my senses and I break eye contact. That's right,you're not perfect Lisa,only Mona is perfect. You've been forced to see and accept that reality since childhood,even from your own parents. It's Mona he finds beautiful,not you.

I take a step back and the movement makes his hands drop from my chin.

"Right,I should let you rest. I'll be in my study,if you need me,just press this."

He shows me a button on the left side of the bed where I believe I'm supposed to sleep. The woman always sleeps on the left,always.

When you're sitting,Left.

Whether to eat or at an event,Left.

When you're walking,Left.

That's just how it is.

"Okay."

He walks out of the room and I'm left there in denial,still trying to wrap my head around the events that took place today.

I got married,I'm now married. Me,a married woman,but the thing is,I wasn't the one who was supposed to get married. I'm a lie,an imposter. And I'm stuck with a man who doesn't belong to me,a man who has no clue that I'm not the woman he wants.

I bring out my phone from my purse and click the number of the man who my heart truly belongs to.

Me: I love you,always remember that.

He reads it but doesn't reply and my face falls. He didn't look at me at the wedding or the after party. I could tell he was hurt and angry at me,I completely understand that. But Silas has to understand too that I did this for my family.

Me: I'll come back to you,I promise.

I don't bother waiting for a reply because I know he won't text me back. Deleting the one way conversation,I slip my phone in the side of my drawer and change into comfortable night clothes. Pulling the covers over my head,I silently pray for Mona to come back home.