Substitute bride

N'S

ide be? The one ca

k with a deepening scowl

betraying my restlessness. Stayin

ed, secretly wishing for a mishap to disrupt the meti

rest, not wanting to appear

ord?" I requested in

he could respond, I pressed, "D

ike your mother," he said, nodding towards my mom,

'm growing weary of this space," I complaine

hey'll regret the embarrassment," he assured m

********

NA'S

lared to my mother, exaspe

e to marry a man I did not know,

ise your voice?"

den Evans is impossible when my hear

and the dire consequences of defying the Evans.

gs. My happiness is irrelevant to you, isn'

, arms folded,

t blame her. This is on you for agreeing to such

t is for you to replace your sister, that's all,"

o this for him if not for m

sh to preserve his reputation, then act

cted, and I saw a glimm

a's gown and join me downstairs," she instr

ent to this absurd marriage? It was t

lt like shackles r

me, symbolizing the burdensome exp

hose eyes reflected uncertainty about a

inking, 'For my family, for honor,' a mantra now in

the sound of my phone j

rt thu

Derrick calling. What shou

turned away, tears streaming down

ick when he discovers I

t's time," Laura, our loyal servant, and m

couple more minutes?" I pleaded

other, insists I escort you downstairs imme

come to terms with everything h

vident you're not thrilled about

must do what's necessary for

nd said, "Let's go ahead," as Laura helped

wedding march began and I descended

ook his place. My mother's eyes sparkled

be over as I reached Aiden E

ave no response. The last thing on my

n, the moment everyone awaited

Vance, do you take Mr. Aiden Evans as your husba

is, I thought, eyes shut,

ut reality hit when t

N'S

arade was all I c

alk of Los Angeles and beyond, I was prepared to put an en

mplored the Blessed Virgin Mary to inspi

******

NA'S

grew louder, and vision

her's voice resonated in my hea

last, prompting app

en, I sensed h

I did. Better still, I had no intent

en Evans, do you take Miss Selena Vance as your wife,

or him to refuse, s

shed as he affirmed

s, and the priest announced,

s suffocating, the weight of my

ey trembled with the magnitude of the un

ention, for a power outage, a sudden s

rp and urgent, demanding an answer: Was I prepared to spend