Substitute Bride; My Husband's Mistakes

Chapter 2

CELINE:

On the wedding day, I went into my sister's room so the guests would believe I was Clara. I hadn't thought this day would arrive. I was helping my famous sister cover up for her wedding.

I donned a long white wedding dress that swept the ground as I walked. The makeup artist applied heavy makeup to my face, and I hated to say this, but I don't like makeup.

I sat there and let them transform me into my sister's preferred choice of wedding dress, which exposed my bare back and displayed my breasts fully.

This is not the wedding day I had dreamt of: me taking my twin sister's place as the bride when she was actually alive and modeling in another state.

"Mmm," I sighed once the makeup artist finished. I looked at my reflection in the mirror and couldn't believe the woman staring back at me.

Soon, my father arrived, dressed in a tailored black suit and shoes. "Are you ready, Clara? You look so beautiful," he asked me.

I saw the proud smile on my father's face. He saw me as Clara, his most treasured daughter, not Celine, the one who wanted to marry a pauper.

I shut my eyes and mimicked my twin sister's composure, the way she smiled with a wide grin on her face.

"Yes, Dad," I said, stretching the smile further. I wondered how long I could keep up this act.

"Let's go," my father said. He escorted me downstairs, and I saw the black Bentley car waiting to take me to the wedding.

I had never sat in a Bentley before, so I was nervous. I was not my sister, who traveled from one location to another, going on vacations with her rich boyfriend sponsoring all her trips.

We sat in an eerie silence as the driver started the car and drove us to the wedding venue.

I was nervous as the car ride continued until we reached the big church where the wedding was held.

I sucked in a deep breath as I got out of the car. The lined-up maids welcomed me by spreading red flowers as I stepped down.

This was an elite wedding. My father held my left hand tenderly and escorted me into the church, which was packed with top-notch guests.

My heartbeat grew louder in my chest with each step I took into the church and nearer to the altar where Clara's fiancé, Jace Augustus, stood.

Jace was a tall, refined, black man. Clara was so lucky to have him.

Jace was still a single, hot bachelor at thirty-five years old. He was not a man to mess with.

As my father and I finally arrived at the altar, Dad handed me over to Jace so the priest could join us in holy matrimony.

I was nervous; I felt like I would faint any moment. Jace smiled and took off my veil to reveal my face to him.

I gulped hard and recalled that I was not Clara and must act like her.

How would Clara have reacted on her own wedding day? Excited? Emotional or casual? I didn't know, but I smiled widely so Jace wouldn't think otherwise as his black eyes met my blue eyes for a brief moment.

I grinned wider so Jace wouldn't think I was not his woman. I heard from Clara that Jace had never cheated on her despite his influence and how many women wanted him.

Jace was very attractive and looked like a Greek god as he stood there towering above me.

Clara and I were average height, and thanks to the heels she had chosen for me to wear—this was her preferred wedding dress and shoes.

"Can we start the union?" the priest's voice asked, bringing us back to reality. Jace stepped aside while the priest recited the prayers and joined us as one.

"Do you, Clara Mason, take Jace Augustus to be your husband, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better or for worse, for richer or for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, until death do you part?" the priest asked.

I looked at my sister's fiancé's face, who was about to become my husband. If only he knew I wasn't Clara, his woman.

Jace smiled, wanting me to say "I do," as he saw I looked so hesitant to say the words to him.

The priest continued, "Do you promise to love and obey him, and to be faithful to him, as long as you both shall live?"

"I do," I replied, shutting my blue eyes as I was unable to meet Jace's face.

The priest asked Jace the same question. "Do you, Jace Augustus, take Clara Mason to be your wife, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better or for worse, for richer or for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, until death do you part?"

"I do," Jace replied.

The priest asked him once more, "Do you promise to love and cherish her, and to be faithful to her, as long as you both shall live?"

"I do," Jace said, smiling and looking at me like I was his real bride. He looked genuinely happy to be wedded to me, thinking I was my twin sister.

"I now pronounce you both as man and wife. You may kiss your bride," the priest concluded just as Jace and I recited our vows and wore the wedding rings.

I felt hesitant to wear his ring, which symbolized love, trust, and commitment. I couldn't believe I was doing this like I was acting in a movie for my twin sister's replacement.

Jace slid the diamond ring onto my left finger. I shut my eyes as he pulled me closer and sealed his lips on mine, not wanting to know if I desired to kiss him or not.

His lips claimed mine, kissing me tenderly at first, as the hall erupted in a round of applause for us. Well-wishers screamed "happy married life" to us.

Jace pulled away from the kiss after a while of kissing me fervently. He gazed into my eyes like he already suspected I wasn't his bride.

We took pictures with his parents, who were very happy about the wedding, and my parents too. I stood there anxiously, taking several photos with the priest, my parents, Jace's parents with the bridesmaid and best man.

Lily, my sister's best friend, was the bridesmaid. I wondered if she knew I was taking Clara's place. But I was sure Clara never told anyone of her plans. Lily hugged me excitedly and squealed, "Congratulations, Clara! I am so happy for you!"

"Thank you," I replied. We took more wedding pictures in the church until Jace held my hand closely and kissed my lips once more.

"Come on, my wife. You don't have to act shy like this is the first time we are kissing. Let's go for our wedding reception," Jace said. He lifted me off the ground, and I was stunned as he took me away, carrying me in that strong arms.

I wanted to tell him I was not Clara. This had to stop. Should I tell him the truth or continue to act in my sister's replacement?

I shut my eyes, inhaling Jace's cologne as he had a relaxing aroma.