Chapter 5: Where is the groom?

Claire and Richard's eyes widened in shock.

"No way... she can't take Maya's place. We have to find her," Claire said, glancing at Richard, who seemed lost in thought, weighing Evelina's proposal.

Richard cut her off sharply. "What do you mean, 'find her'? She's gone! We have no way of tracking her down tonight, and we don't even know which country she's in! We don't have a choice, Claire. We'll have to use Evelina. She's my daughter too."

'Oh, now I'm your daughter?' Evelina thought bitterly, raising an eyebrow as her jaw tightened, her fists clenching with quiet rage.

"But the Hargraves don't know that. They think she's a maid... If Camille finds out her son married a maid, what do you think she'll do?" Claire snapped, her tone laced with panic, desperately trying to sway Richard's decision.

This spot was meant for my daughter, not that brat. Why did Maya have to make everything so difficult for me? Claire's frustration was palpable. She shot Evelina a brief glare, then turned back to Richard with a pleading look.

Evelina folded her arms, watching Claire's every move with an amused smirk. I've said it before, and I'll say it again—my father will do anything for money.

Richard raised a hand, signaling for Claire to stop.

"But if we don't provide a bride... it will be worse! And you know I can't afford to lose this deal!" Richard's voice was sharp, frustration creeping into his tone.

"But—" Claire stammered, trying to find a way out.

"I'll reveal the truth—that Evelina is indeed my daughter," Richard said firmly.

"But that would paint me as a wicked stepmother!" Claire protested, her voice rising in outrage.

"Then so be it. This wouldn't have happened if your daughter hadn't run away! And with her elder sister's fiancé?!" Richard shot back, his words cutting through the air.

How predictable, Evelina rolled her eyes.

Richard turned his gaze to Evelina. "You will marry in Maya's place... but we'll cover you at first, so no one notices. By the time your veil is lifted, it'll be too late to stop the wedding."

Evelina nodded, remaining silent.

Even after all this, he still won't give me my inheritance or the CEO position at the company. So I won't even bother asking.

Richard left, leaving Claire and Evelina alone.

Claire's face twisted with fury as she stormed toward Evelina.

"Was this your plan all along?" Claire spat, her voice low but sharp. "Convincing my daughter to run away with your fiancé so you could marry into the richest family in her place? What kind of older sister are you?"

Can she even hear herself? I'm just doing what Maya always does—steal when given the opportunity. That's what she does to me all the time. Why can't I do the same? Whenever she does it, it's not seen as something bad, but now that I'm doing the same... I'm the villain.

Evelina's expression remained calm, unbothered by the outburst. She took a slow breath, watching Claire's face contort with anger, almost as if she were waiting for her to explode.

"Let me make something clear," Evelina said coolly, her voice unwavering. "I didn't make Maya run away. That was her choice, not mine. And as for this chance to marry into the richest family? I didn't ask for it, but it's happening whether you like it or not."

What? How dare she start talking back at me?!

Claire's eyes narrowed, her hands trembling with barely contained rage. "Don't think you're fooling me, Evelina. I know exactly what you're after—everything you couldn't have before, through the back door."

Evelina's lips curled into a slight smirk. "If you really think I wanted this, you're more deluded than I thought." Her tone was icy, as cold as the resolve in her heart. "But if you think I'm going to step aside for your daughter... think again."

Claire's fury intensified, her face reddening with a mixture of disbelief and pure hatred. "You think you're going to take her place and just... waltz into that family as if nothing happened?" she sneered. "I'll make sure your place there is as precarious as Maya's absence."

Evelina stepped closer, her gaze steady, meeting Claire's with a challenge. "I'm not the one who needs to worry about where I stand. You're the one who's built your whole life on manipulating others to get what you want. But this time, you won't win."

Evelina didn't look like the innocent child Claire always punished and manipulated. Right now, Evelina looked like a force to be reckoned with. Her composure, her icy resolve, and the sharpness in her gaze made it clear she wasn't the same person Claire had once easily dominated. There was a power in her stance, a quiet defiance that wasn't there before.

When did she change this much? Claire thought, I can't even bring myself to slap her anymore.

The tables had turned, and Claire wasn't sure how to deal with the new Evelina standing before her.

Evelina's confidence only grew as Claire's anger faltered, her words stumbling under the weight of Evelina's unyielding presence. Evelina then walked away. I don't have to pretend anymore. Being innocent, timid didn't help. From now on, I will take what's mine with every opportunity I get.

---

The next morning, Evelina sat in front of the full-length mirror in her bridal chamber. The soft light of the early sun spilled through the curtains, casting a warm glow on the room.

She had hardly slept, but in the quiet stillness of the morning, she felt more awake than ever. The wedding dress—its satin and lace delicately crafted—was draped over her, hugging her figure.

Her brown hair was styled in an elegant updo, soft curls pinned neatly in place, small pearls twinkling.

As the hired assistants worked around her, smoothing the folds of the gown, she barely took notice of their movements. Her gaze was fixed on her reflection in the mirror, her eyes bright and intense.

She studied herself, a small, almost imperceptible smile curling on her lips.

The girl who had once been nothing more than a shadow of her sister, the girl who was overlooked, ignored, and mistreated—now stood in front of the mirror as the bride.

Ah, I really am more beautiful when I smile, she thought, smiling wider.

As the last touches were applied by the attendants, Evelina remained silent, her hands resting lightly in her lap. She smiled at her reflection, the smile more genuine than it had been in years.

One of the attendants brought a white lace veil and draped it over her head, the fabric covering her face.

Evelina stood slowly, taking a deep breath. This is it, she thought. This is the moment I take what I'm owed.

She walked toward the door, every step calculated, her thoughts resolute. She was ready for what awaited her. This was her chance, and she wasn't about to let it slip through her fingers.

The hall outside was grand, lavishly decorated for the occasion, but Evelina barely noticed the details. Her focus was singular—on the doors ahead, the threshold she would cross into her future.

As she approached, the doors opened with a soft creak, revealing the gathering of guests and the grand altar at the end of the aisle. Evelina's heart gave a small flutter, but then she noticed something odd. The groom was not at the altar.

What's going on? She thought, raising an eyebrow.

The music started, the first notes of the ceremony filling the air, bringing her back from her reverie. With steady steps, she moved forward, her gaze fixed on the altar. She could feel the eyes of the guests on her, could almost sense the weight of their expectations bearing down. But none of it mattered.

As Evelina reached the altar, she stood still for a moment, letting the silence settle around her. The weight of the veil on her head felt heavy, its delicate lace brushing against her skin. But something still bothered her.

She glanced around the room. The familiar faces of her father, Claire, Mr. Hargrave, Mrs. Hargrave, and the rest of the Hargrave family were visible among the guests—but there was no sign of the groom.

Why isn't he here? she thought, a slight furrow crossing her brow. She scanned the altar again, her eyes narrowing as she waited, but the groom remained absent.

The priest, who had been standing quietly at the altar, looked at Evelina, then back toward the doors, as if unsure whether to proceed. There was a murmuring among the guests, a ripple of confusion spreading through the room.

Evelina clenched her bouquet of flowers, biting her lip. She could feel the eyes of the room on her, their expectations pressing down on her, but she remained unmoving, her expression serene.

She wasn't about to let this delay break her composure.

An hour passed, but no one came forward.

Where is he? Evelina thought again, this time her calm mask slipping ever so slightly. The groom's absence was unusual, and despite her earlier resolve, she couldn't suppress a brief moment of doubt.

The priest cleared his throat, and the murmurs in the crowd grew louder.

"Is something wrong?" a voice called from the crowd. Evelina glanced back, catching the angry look on Mrs. Hargrave's face.

The tension in the room was thick, but Evelina took a deep breath, straightening her back. Please... come, she thought, closing her eyes tightly.

If the groom didn't show up, it would be his loss. But still... she hoped he would.

"Ah, just change the time for the meeting to late this afternoon. I have something to attend to," a calm, soothing voice echoed from the back of the hall.