"You are the most beautiful bride, Nora! Today is going to be awesome!"
As Nora's maid of honour quickly gathered her skirt to walk down the aisle after whispering the encouraging words, Nora could not help but feel happy. Today was indeed going to be awesome. The weather seemed in agreement with her today as well, with the sky being clear and the sun casting a warm glow over the church.
The gentle breeze played with her veil as she stood just outside the grand entrance, her heart pounding with anticipation and excitement. Everything was just perfect, just like she had always hoped and dreamt of. The church was decorated to her liking, the dress was perfectly fitted. She'd heard so many horror stories of things going wrong that she could hardly believe that her wedding was going so smoothly.
Her best friend and maid of honour winked at her once before entering the church and Nora could not help but grin. Soon, she heard the bridal march begin to play and knew it was time for her grand entrance. Drawing a deep breath, she began to walk forward, her elegant white gown flowing behind her. Her heart raced, and she tried to catch Antonio's eye, eager to see his reaction to her, but he seemed lost in his thoughts, staring at the ground.
Suddenly, she felt a pang of concern, her already slow steps slowed further. Instead of the joy and expectation she had hoped to see, his face was a mask of tenseness and consideration. Pushing aside her growing feel of dread, she smiled at him tremulously and was relieved when he smiled back at her. He was probably nervous and overwhelmed. After all, she had been away on work this past month so he may be having some doubts...
Antonio stepped forward and held out his hand when Nora reached him and instantly felt calm. She must be imagining things.
Soon, the minister started to speak about the importance of marriage, love, commitment, and the journey that lay ahead for the couple.
As Nora and the others listened intently, the priest finally wound down her sermon and questioned the people," If anyone has any objections to their union then please speak now or forever hold your peace."
Nora suppressed the urge to look at all the guests, in case someone would indeed object. Her parents and sister were not happy after all...But as the silence continued, she almost breathed a sigh of relief. However, her relief was short-lived as the groom spoke in a slow but clear voice," I object."
The guests gasped in surprise, and Nora's eyes widened in shock.
Antonio held her hands tightly and spoke with regret," Nora. I am sorry. I cannot marry you."
"What is going on, Antonio? Are you having cold feet? We can delay the ceremony..."
"No! Nora, I do not love you! That is the reason I cannot marry you. I am in love with someone else."
As the guest started to chatter among themselves, Nora's mind whirled. She turned sharply to look at her sister who was sobbing quietly in the front pew. Her sister did not love her enough that she would cry for her. Nora turned back to look at Antonio's pained gaze also on her sister's face and her expression tightened.
Stepping away from the man, Nora straightened her back and implored quietly as tears escaped her eyes," What do you mean, Antonio? We've been together for the last three years? We were going to be each other's forever love, weren't we? Then why do you suddenly say that you do not love me?"
As her voice broke down on the last words, the guests all felt a pang of sympathy for the young bride. The bride was only nineteen years old. At an age when modern girls all wanted to test their freedom, Nora Williams had been willing to give up all that for her love. And yet, that love was abandoning her at the altar.
"I do love you, Nora," Antonio spoke in a pained voice.
Nora looked at him in confusion, failing to understand what the problem was. It was the priest who interceded," Young man, marriage is a lifelong commitment and so is love. What are you confused about?"
Antonio sighed and looked from the priest to Nora to the girl sitting at the back," Nora, when we started dating, I was attracted to you and believed myself in love. Our relationship was truly magical. Slowly, even though I grew to love you more, I did not realise that I had stopped seeing you as a future lover and more like a companion. When you went away for your vacation, I started to realise that I was in love with someone else."
"And that someone else just happened to be my sister? Did she take care of you well in my absence?" Nora sneered, as she threw aside her veil. Once again the guests were left askance at the direct question and the insinuation.
"Nora! There is no need to be rude. And it most certainly is not her fault. All these are my feelings alone. Neither of us planned for this to happen." Antonio protested angrily.
Tears streaming in her eyes at the way her fiance jumped to defend her sister, Nora turned to the woman in question. "And do you also love my fiance Sara? Is that why you wore white on my wedding day? Because you were silently hoping to be the bride."
"Nora!" Sara sobbed loudly as she shook her head and protested," I... Please believe me I did not want to ruin your special day. I have already surrendered Antonio to you. I wore the dress because I too dreamt of being his bride... Please forgive me, Nora. I promise that I never planned to interfere in your relationship..."
As the guests all watched the drama unfold before them, they could not help but inadvertently take sides. While some sympathized with Nora for being jilted so publically, others blamed Sara for coveting her sister's fiance.
Before anyone could say anything, their mother stood up and spoke harshly," Nora, you cannot blame her for her feelings. She is young and impressionable. If anyone is responsible for this mess then it is you! Why would you leave the country right before your wedding? When Antonio needed help and support, Sara was there for her so it is only natural that he would fall for her."
Nora wiped her tears delicately as she looked at Antonio. She should have expected this from her mother. After all her mother had never liked her. But there was a time when Antonio would have rushed to her to drive away the tears and bring a smile to her face. But Sara had taken that from her.
Feeling faint, Nora felt herself sway and would have keeled over if not for her best friend Isabella who had rushed forward to support her.
Holding her friend's hand, Nora quietly looked at Antonio and questioned him, "Antonio, do you love Sara enough to marry her?"
The man who had been about to marry her a few moments ago immediately nodded without hesitation. Nora then turned to Sara and questioned her," And you? Do you want to marry Antonio?"
With a light of mixture and hope in her eyes, Sara nodded eagerly.
"I want you to be happy, Antonio and if Sara is your happiness then so be it. Marry her now."
Hello, my dear readers! Welcome to yet another love story that is fraught with romance and action. As you join Nora and Demetri on this new journey, do not forget to leave your reviews and power stones! Happy reading.
With the exception of the bride being replaced by Sara, everything else continued to be the same. As Sara vowed to stand by her husband's side forever, the guests couldn't help but feel sympathy for Nora. The man she had been about to marry today was now marrying her own sister. However, beneath the composed facade, Nora carried a hidden secret, shielding her true emotions.
Ignoring the sympathetic glances coming her way, Nora continued to stare straight ahead. When the priest asked if anyone objected to the marriage, the church remained silent, and the wedding vows proceeded. Nora's heart ached, but she masked her pain with determination. Everyone assumed that she had only just learnt of the betrayal. But the truth was...
Isabella, sensing Nora's turmoil, held her hand in sympathy. She wanted to express her anger towards Sara and Antonio but was held back by her loyalty to her friend. As Nora gently squeezed Isabella's hand, she looked at her with concern, uncertain of Nora's intentions. However, Nora offered a small, enigmatic smile and winked at Isabella, leaving her bewildered and wide-eyed.
Staring at her friend in astonishment, Isabella wondered if Nora had lost her mind due to the shock. Why would she give such a mysterious gesture at a moment like this? Urgently, Isabella tugged at her friend's hand, seeking an explanation. In response, Nora leaned closer and whispered softly, "There will be a show later. Don't worry."
***
The wedding reception hall buzzed with chatter and laughter, the sounds of celebration filling the air. As Sara posed for the wedding portraits, everyone soon forgot about the big change in the event. To most people, this wedding would be relegated to gossip, scandal and entertainment.
Nora smiled sardonically as she eyed the people who claimed to be her family. After the initial pitiful glance, everyone ignored her and was making merry. Not that she had an objection to that. She had already changed out of her wedding gown to a simple sheath dress and was counting down the minutes until she could leave without being subjected to even more pity. At least with her presence here, these people would not have much to gossip about.
As she sat wondering if she should eat some of the delicious food or continue her pretence as the heartbroken jilted bride, an older gentleman approached her and sat next to her.
"Grandpa William. Why are you not dancing?"
The older man grinned and shook his head," Silly child. If I try to dance at my age, they will have to carry me out of here on the stretcher! It is a wonder if I can walk all the way from there to here. Now if it were thirty years ago, when I was still a young man, all these people would have been left behind in the dust. Now, let's talk about your marriage registration..."
From the corner of her eye, Nora watched her mother making their way towards them and smiled at Grandpa William as she said," Grandpa William, if Sara is in love with Antonio then I could not stand in their way..."
Before the old man could say anything, Nora's mother had reached them. Holding her daughter's hand, the woman quickly enfolded her in a hug and asked with concern," Are you alright? I cannot imagine how difficult this must be for you, my dear. It has taken me a few hours to wrap my head around all this. But don't you worry, everything happens for a good reason?"
As the older woman patted her daughter's hand, the older man snorted in derision and commented," Of course, everything happens for a reason Lara. And if that reason suits the results you want then it is all the better, isn't it?"
Lara threw a disapproving look towards the older man while Nora moved to quickly diffuse the situation as she insisted," Mom. I am fine. Please do not worry."
But the older man was not so willing to let go. Instead of letting matters rest, he goaded," Nora, your mother has always had a soft spot for Sara and has spoiled her. Now you are following her footsteps and doing the same thing? Is that good for you?"
Lara scoffed at that and ignoring Nora's attempts to diffuse the situation, glared," I am not in the mood to listen to you, Uncle William. And what is so wrong with doting on my youngest? It doesn't mean that I do not love or care for my other daughters. Now, if you will excuse me..." As Lara was about to turn around and leave, she stopped for a moment before turning back and saying," I will of course be calling you to discuss... things."
But Grandpa William was not so happy about letting things go. "Lara, I am not happy with the way all this has turned out. As for your parents' will, I have already made my stance..."
Throwing a sharp glance at Nora who was looking between the two with confusion, Lara spoke, "Uncle, this is not the time or the place for this discussion! I will be calling you and fixing an appointment." Having said her piece, Lara Anderson left without a backward glance.
William Doughby sighed and shook his head as Nora sat down beside him," Grandpa William... does my mother's hatred for you have something to do with my grandparents will?"
For as long as she could remember, Lara had always been barely civil to the old man. Today was the first time she had mentioned her parent's will and finally, Nora could guess the reason.
"Yes and No. I watched your mother grow since she was a little child, Nora. And I am well aware of all her flaws. And she doesn't like that. In the eyes of the world and your deceased grandparents, she was the perfect woman and the perfect daughter. But because of her youth, I had discovered her secrets. So she always felt animosity towards me. And then later, when her parents passed on everything to you and your sister and made me the guardian, she has always felt that I usurped her right. So the will is not the reason for her hatred but it did act like fuel to an already raging fire."
Nora shared a glance with Grandpa William and sighed. 'Soon, that fire was going to turn into a volcano and erupt when her mother discovered what Nora had done. Sigh
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