Chapter # 8

Ryan POV:-

‘Finally, The moment I was dying for came.’

“I am so happy for you.” Father whispered, patting my back to encourage me.

“Me too. I can’t believe, The Fashion Diva, the star Marianne is going to be my wife.” I grinned, boasting proudly simply by thinking.

“Hey, you are a star too. Ask me.” He grinned back.

“Ah, This is wonderful.” I took a deep breath, mentally preparing myself for the heaven which is about to be placed before me. The extent of my solace.

I stood at the altar with my heart fluttering in happiness as I felt like a dream of mine came true. My heart was beating so fast, I felt so exhilarated. My content is beyond anyone's comprehension.

“How long?” The priest asked.

“Excuse me, what?” I asked, confused.

“How long since your relationship? Your happiness surely displays decades.” He smirked, teasing me but the blithe to marry the person I loved dearly is treasured.

But, I had no idea it was this visible. I am getting bound in an eternal bond with her as it will become an eternal source of salvation for me after all.

“Um, actually, it’s an arranged marriage.” I replied sheepishly but the smile still adorned my features. I just couldn't wait for her to come.

“It doesn’t seem like it. Someone is surely in love.” He teased me but I chuckled.

“Yeah…”

“May God bless your future with endless smiles.” He smiled gently.

“Amen.”

I wonder how her delicate lips will taste?

Just the thought that my last name will be attached to hers, indicating that she is mine is filling me with great euphoria.

That she'll become ‘my woman’ and no one but me can indulge myself to feel her. Glee rushed in my every vein as I could barely wait for it.

The doors opened as my heart skipped a beat and I turned my head in that direction to see my bride coming and the sparkle of felicity vanished the instant it rushed in my veins.

“What-”

My world came to a halt when I saw ‘Rebecca’ entering.

“What? Aren’t you excited for your bride? Rebecca Morris?” The priest asked with a grin but I blinked, hoping it to be a horrible prank, a stupid jest anything but reality.

My smile faded as I rubbed my eyes thinking what I saw was wrong, but it wasn't an illusion and that one entering was none other than Rebecca!

“Rebecca…?” Sudden rage took over me as I felt my heartbeat becoming feeble. It felt like my heart was being clenched in someone's hand and it's bursting.

I shot my head at my father who was as shocked as me to see her. I felt like my world was no more and a sudden feeling of abhor emerged from me for her.

How could she do this? When she knows that I love Marianne, how can she do this?

And Marianne, did she know about it? But I was shattered when I saw Marianne entering and taking a seat, unaffected.

Did all of them deceive me?

“No, This has to be a sick joke.” I said inaudibly. I feel like some shards of glass are pricking my soul, bleeding it to death as my mind can think of nothing but the upcoming despair.

A tear pricked in the corner of my eyes as I felt heartbroken and overwhelmed by the feeling of grief and betrayal.

And the day of my rapture was turned into devastation.

I closed my eyes as a tear rolled down my cheek. My heart was torn into a million pieces when she reached the altar.

“Ryan?” The Priest called, motioning me to help her but I was too shocked to react.

I, who was too shocked to see what's going on, stood still.

“What happened?” He asked but she came so he chose to be silent and I glared at her with my watery eyes.

I stood there with two choices, either reject her in front of thousands of guests and the media, receiving utmost disgrace and humiliation for both of us or.. Marry her.

A deep breath escaped my lips as I looked up at her who was looking down with the same coldness.

“I am sorry.”

Her lips mouthed but it can’t fix anything. But, at the same time a tear also fell on her cheek but my anger blind me as I shrugged this off and gave her a seething look.

What should I do?

"Shall we start?" The priest asked. My lips began to quiver as my voice was stuck in my throat.

I tried to say something but no voice came out, I felt so disheartened.

If it’s not Marianne then I don’t care who it is… But her sister. The most unwanted, cold and rude woman. I hate this woman. Why her?

I swallowed hard and mustered some courage. With shattered dreams and a heart broken beyond repair, I spoke in a vague voice,

"Yes." I curled my hands in a fist and tried my best to stop my urge to cry or let out the grief building inside of me.

She was taken aback at my response but the look of woe was clear on her face.

What sorrow do you have? My heart is getting broken, not yours.

We exchanged rings and she didn't even dare to lift her gaze.

How can she? After committing such a low act, how can she even look me in the eye.

..I never knew that my love would take away my serenity leaving me in a desolate place filled with misery while bounding my life with the most undesirable woman…

She is the least type of girl I want to have in my life.

We exchanged vows as I said mine with no emotions.

The vows I spend nights writing and saying to Marianne. With hope crumbled apart as I glared at her and spoke my every word with venom.

"...I swore to turn every tear you shed into happiness. And I promised to light up that dark sky of yours. I'll become the tranquility you desire to receive, I swear on my life that I will..."

When I finished mine, it's her turn. I didn't even listen to it as I cursed every person who deceived me for this in my heart.

I then spared a glance at her and heard her saying,

"...I hope you come into my life like a Moon so that you can ignite my night with your light. And even if you neglect me, I may not show it but I'll still be there for you, In your shadows…” She paused, swallowing hard and meeting my eyes to finish her vow,

“And lastly, your resentment is my solace now." I won’t let it be.

I scoffed in my mind and continued to look at her with a scowl because her last sentence constricted my chest, made me outraged.

"I pronounce you as the husband and wife."

The priest declared as I grit my teeth in irk for the upcoming statement,

"You may now kiss the bride."

I took a deep breath and continued to look at her in silver fury but she remained motionless as if she accepted it long ago.

I lift the veil of my bride dressed in black, the perfect color for today. I leaned in dangerously close and growled at her.

“I will never forgive you for ruining my life.” A pant escaped her lips as she was slightly startled.

She should be.

I put my hand on her back and pulled her close. A gasp escaped her lips as her gaze was fixed down. I felt her shiver and a sinister smirk crept upon my lips as the arousal to make her pay for what she did filled me.

“You shouldn’t.” She responded softly. I moved my other hand and lifted her chin forcing her to look at me. She lifted her gaze and looked at me terrified. Her eyes glistened in remorse and fear.

“You have razed my life and I will make sure..” I continued to look at her with malevolence as her lips trembled. She held my coat as I continued to look at her.

Every second was painfully slow and to people, it was romantic but we both know the tension present in the air.

"You'll regret it." I hissed in a low voice, in her ear so that only she could hear it.

My words made her convulse as I could clearly see those walls of ice she built were melting, leaving her vulnerable and ashamed.

“Do it.” She replied. I swear, the level of being shameless.

I moved closer and brushed my lips against her as she was shaking in vexation. I pressed my lips upon her, hard and moved my hand to her neck and kissed her roughly.

I took my anger out in the kiss, my grip around her neck tightened, alarming her that if she pushed away, she'd pay. I heard the sound of her heart thumping against her chest.

Blind in sorrow and wrath, I kissed her harshly. I had completely lost my mind at the moment to know my actions were immoral but can you imagine my pain?

It was not an infatuation which I let slide. I loved her for years and she took it away from me!

Everyone saw it as desperation which invited me more; to torment her in every way possible.

I bit her lip and pulled away slowly. She didn't dare to kiss back as she gripped my coat tightly and didn't open her eyes to witness this.

We both were panting as I narrowed my eyes at her in rage and moved close to her neck. She seemed scared- petrified and was trying to hide it behind her affectation but failed miserably.

"This is just the start. Just watch, I'll make your life miserable." I growled to which she replied in a hoarse whisper.

"It's already miserable."