A wedding without groom.

SERENA.

I waited and waited, even fate laughing at me, my supposed groom still didn't arrive.

"Now, a final call to Mr. Adrian Royce to come forth," the priest announced.

Silence. No one stepped forward. I stood there, head bowed, a bouquet trembling in my hands.

Scanning the sea of unfamiliar faces, my eyes landed on my father. His cold, icy gaze met mine, devoid of even the slightest concern for his daughter—who had just been stood up at the altar.

The murmurs of the crowd grew louder until someone approached the priest, whispering something in his ear. The priest nodded, then held out a ring to me.

"With the power vested in me," he declared, his voice carrying a tinge of pity, "I now pronounce Adrian Royce and Serena Cooper husband and wife."

And just like that, he turned and walked away, leaving me standing alone in a veil of humiliation. Guests began to disperse, their eyes casting fleeting glances of pity—or judgment.

I spotted my father preparing to leave and rushed to his side, desperation clawing at me.

"Where are you going? Take me with you. What am I supposed to do here?" I pleaded, clutching his arm.

He shook me off like I was nothing. "You're of no use to me anymore. Wait here until the Royces come to collect you," he said, his voice colder than the marble floor beneath my feet.

Tears blurred my vision, streaming down my face in silent agony. I know he didn’t love me, but it tore me apart to realize he hated me this much—for what happened years ago.

"Stop crying, or you'll look like Annabelle when your crippled husband sees you," my sister, Anna sneered as she passed by. "Who knows, even he might kick you out."

Her taunt stung, sharp as a blade. This entire drama was because of her, yet she stood there without a shred of remorse. She shoved me aside and walked away, leaving me crumpled on the floor.

And there, under the weight of abandonment and betrayal, I wept quietly. It was at that moment that the girl who once craved love finally died within me.

A Day Before

“It hasn’t even been a week since Grandma’s death, and you want me to marry some stranger?” I protested, my voice shaking with disbelief.

“Correction,” Anna sneered, “he’s not a stranger. He’s the first son of the Royce family.”

“If you know so much about him to sing his praises, why don’t you marry him—”

Before I could finish, a sharp slap landed across my cheek, sending me crashing to the floor. I looked up, stunned, to see my father towering over me, his eyes filled with pure disgust.

“The marriage proposal was for your sister,” he growled. “Thank your stars you’re taking her place and marrying into the Royce family.”

He said that as if I have to kneel and thank her for giving me this opportunity or more like a death sentence.

“I would have married him, Serena,” Anna interjected, inspecting her long red nails. “But he’s a cripple—better suited for a country girl like you.”

“Get her ready tomorrow,” my father ordered coldly. “No need to ask for her opinion.”

“But I—”

“If you say one more word,” he interrupted, his voice icy, “you’ll never see your grandmother’s grave again.”

My breath caught. Grandma—the only person who had ever loved me unconditionally—was now being used to threaten me. I couldn’t lose her too. I nodded silently, my spirit breaking as I agreed to the arrangement.

The next morning, the house was bustling with activity as gifts and jewelry from the Royce family poured in. Anna snatched up the wedding gown as soon as it arrived and barged into my room.

“Now, like the perfect sister I am, I’ll help you get ready,” she said, smiling ear to ear.

“No, thanks,” I muttered, retreating to the changing room.

When I stepped out, she was still there, her eyes glinting with malice. I turned to the mirror. The gown, clearly not my size, hung awkwardly, its heavy embroidery scratching at my skin. The straps slipped from my shoulders no matter how often I adjusted them.

“Don’t bother,” Anna scoffed. “No one cares how you look anyway.”

I clenched my fists, fighting the urge to lash out. Did she not realize I was doing this for her? This whole nightmare was because of her greed.

A knock at the door broke the tension.

“Come in,” Anna called before I could respond.

Two women in their mid-thirties entered, armed with makeup kits.

“That’s the bride,” Anna said dismissively. “Get her ready. We’re short on time.” She left without another word.

The women went to work on my face without asking my permission. When they were done, I barely recognized myself. Heavy eyeliner rimmed my eyes, making me look haggard. My lips were painted an aggressive red that clashed with everything else. Together, it made me look years older—and utterly unlike myself.

At Present

“Are you Miss Cooper?” a man in a suit asked as I sat on the marble floor, my bouquet discarded beside me.

I couldn’t summon the strength to speak. My throat felt constricted, my voice lost somewhere between despair and exhaustion. I nodded weakly, avoiding his gaze.

“The madam of the Royce family sent me to fetch you,” he said, his tone devoid of warmth.

So now they remembered me—their new daughter-in-law. A pity they hadn’t remembered before leaving me humiliated at the altar.

Without a choice, I staggered to my feet, clutching the folds of the heavy gown to keep from tripping. My legs wobbled as I followed him to the sleek black car waiting outside. Each step felt heavier than the last, the weight of the gown and my situation pressing down on me.

The car rolled up to a grand villa, its towering gates opening with an air of command. The structure itself was breathtaking—ornate columns, sprawling gardens, and a fountain so grand it seemed like something out of a dream. It was then I understood why Anna said she would have married him, if not for his physical state.

But no beauty could mask the dread curling in my stomach. This wasn’t a home—it was a gilded cage.

The driver opened the door for me, and I stepped onto the stone pathway leading to the villa’s entrance. The gown caught on the uneven ground, and I stumbled slightly, steadying myself before anyone could notice.

As I crossed the threshold, the atmosphere changed instantly. The warmth of the outside world evaporated, replaced by the cold, sterile air of wealth and formality. Chandeliers glittered above me, their crystals refracting the light in dazzling patterns. Yet everything felt oppressive, as though the walls themselves were watching.

I barely had a moment to take it all in when a deep, menacing voice boomed through the grand hall.

The words struck me like a physical blow, freezing me in place. My heart raced as the voice reverberated through the room, each syllable heavy with authority and disdain.

“Who let you in?”