TWISTED VOWS

"Will you, Evelyn Monroe, take Liam Carter as your lawfully wedded husband, to have and to hold, from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and health, to love and to cherish, till death do you apart?"

Evelyn Monroe was raised in a Christian home and has lived according to church doctrines.

She met Liam, a successful businessman, at a coffee shop and lost her heart to him. No, it didn't happen like they say in the movies. There were no fireworks, nor did her heart shake when their eyes met across the room, but she could say one thing: when she stared into his icy blue eyes, she felt a connection.

She didn't expect the connection to blossom into something so wonderful and wholesome. She has never felt for anyone what she feels for Liam. He is her whole world.

She didn't think Liam, who is as gorgeous as a movie star, would ever be interested in someone as boring as her.

Calling herself boring doesn't mean she isn't beautiful; she is, but her lifestyle and the way she loves to dress don't usually attract men's attention, at least not gorgeous celebrity ones like Liam. God designed it so she could find the one who makes her heart feel complete and in the least expected places.

Evelyn's smile beamed like the sun as she stood before her family and friends to pledge herself to a man who meant the whole world to her. She decided to take traditional vows, as they emboldened everything she wished to say to Liam.

Her vibrant green eyes stared directly into Liam's icy blue eyes as she said the words the priest and everyone else in the room hoped to hear.

"I do"

Uuuhhhh! Someone crooned from the crowd, causing a wave of laughter. People's eyes grew teary, including Evelyn's family, especially her mother, who looked in tears.

Her father spotted a proud look, his shoulder ten centimeters above normal. He wasn't just proud of his daughter for settling down but also proud that they were in-laws to a wealthy and influential family like the Carters.

While most were happy the wedding was taking place, a few had grim faces and reserved countenances.

The groom's family. The Carters are a great entrepreneur family, with their fingers dipped into many businesses. They are one of the wealthiest and most powerful families in the city. Their name is a household name that carries power and prestige.

You could imagine their outrage when their son, and sole heir to their business empire, brought home an ordinary school teacher as his wife-to-be.

They did their best to instill some sense in their son, whom they believed had been spelled by the evil witch who was his fiancee. Unfortunately for them, Liam is not easily controlled, and he can make his own decisions and stick to them.

He told his family, in words they could understand, that he would not marry anyone else except Evelyn and that if they continued to push him, he would leave the family.

His threat hit home. The Carters might be a socialite family that cares very much for their reputation and standing in society above everything else, but they aren't so callous as to forget their love for their son. So they swallow their pride, bare their teeth in a fake smile, and open their arms, ready to welcome their new daughter-in-law.

Are the Carters ready to sing Kumbaya with their new daughter-in-law? Only time will tell, but right now, in the wedding ceremony, dressed to the tens and sitting in the front row, Eleanor Carter, mother of the groom, looked like she would rather be anywhere else than where she is.

She wore a haughty, bored expression as if she were far above everyone in the room.

Eleanor refused to invite her friends because she couldn't abide them to witness her son marry a nobody. It is bad enough that someone without a name and coming from a poor background is going to be a Carter, tainting their blood, but to have her rich friends witness this disgrace is unacceptable.

Eleanor isn't alone in her grief at the shame brought on to the family by their son, but her husband as well. But unlike Eleanor, who is not ready to open her heart to Evelyn, Patrick is willing to give her a chance, even though he doesn't trust her motives.

In his heart, he still thinks that his soon-to-be daughter-in-law is with his son for his money, and it irritates him to no end that his son has refused a pre-up.

The Carters aren't the only ones not pleased with the wedding going on.

A gorgeous redhead with beautiful grey eyes in a lovely navy blue dress that hugged her body in all the right places, and scoring a ten, looked like she was about to have a royal rumble with someone.

She was seething as she stared at the couples through her dark shade. The groom is her ex, whom she broke up with years ago to pursue her dream.

Liam has never stayed with one woman for more than six months after their breakup. Emboldened by the belief that Liam couldn't date another woman for long because he was still hung up on her, the redhead did not attempt to reconcile or contact Liam but believed that when she was ready, she would go get her man.

To the redhead's most significant shock, when she returned to the city, she learned that Liam was getting married, and despite her efforts to stop it, she couldn't.

She learned a bitter lesson: She has no hold over Liam, or does she? Time will tell.

While the redhead looked like she wanted someone's head on a platter, the man close to her, a tall, handsome fellow in a burgundy suit, black round-neck inner vest, and mesmerizing honey-brown eyes, looked like he was mourning.

He hid his sad expression behind his dark brown glasses as he stared at the couple.

This man in question is the bride's best friend. He has been in love with her since high school but, scared of rocking the boat of their solid friendship, kept his feelings to himself. Now, he has to watch from the sidelines as the woman he loves marries another.

Silence isn't always a good thing.

Watching the ceremony is hard for all who don't want to be here, but unfortunately for them, they have no choice but to sit through the torture.

The Carters are here for their son, and the redhead has to make sure that Liam is really getting married. It is not just rumors; the guy has to support his best friend, even if it feels like a dagger to the heart.

I know we have talked about everyone who doesn't seem happy to see Liam Carter and Evelyn Monroe tie the knot, but there is still one person on the list, and the revelation will blow your mind.

The groom.

Shocked?

Bear in mind that this is not a contract marriage or an arranged marriage. It is a love marriage, so why in the hell is the groom not happy at his wedding? He is marrying the love of his life. Or is he?

He is not just unhappy but seething with murderous rage, all targeted at the sweet-looking petite brunette few feet away from him, staring at him like he hung the moon.

Evelyn stared at her husband-to-be with adoration and love that glowed from her eyes, while Liam regarded her icily like he wanted to reach out and wrap his hand around her neck and squeeze until life left her eyes.

Evelyn's heart is filled with happiness and anticipation, and she can't wait to start the long journey that is her marriage. She already envisioned what life with Liam would be like, and she can't wait.

They are finally sealing their love with vows that she hopes will be unbreakable.

Such sweet thoughts.

Unfortunately for Evelyn, Liam's thoughts are far from sweet and roses and more scarecrows and thorns.

A life with Evelyn is one that he looks forward to, but for a different reason, and he can't wait to start. His blood boils with everything brewing inside him.

After Evelyn said her vows, the priest turned to Liam and repeated the words he said to Evelyn, switching their names where necessary.

Evelyn smiled harder, her heart pounding with anticipation as she waited for those two words that would seal the deal.

Unfortunately, she will be waiting forever.