Becoming a Replacement bride was not an easy task for Alice. Besides having to let go of Gilbert, her beloved boyfriend, she also had to deal with the cold and untouchable attitude of Alden Sebastian, her current lawful husband and her own adopted sister Chloe's future husband.
"It's not just you who lost Chloe, Alden I did too. It's not just you who doesn't want this marriage. I don't either. But why am I blamed for this marriage? I don't want to be a Replacement bride, taking my sister's place to become your wife. Why? Because I have another man whom I love, and he loves me," Alice said.
She poured out her heart, which she had kept hidden for so long. Now, Alice was tired and fed up with Alden's behavior towards her, as if he blamed her for Chloe's death and the subsequent marriage between them. Alice had explained countless times that she had no involvement in their marriage. She also swore that Chloe had asked her to become the Replacement bride, to marry Alden, the night before their wedding.
"I swear, Alden... I don't want this marriage. If you're tired and truly don't want to see me around, then divorce me," Alice whispered, wiping her tears away.
"I don't care about that," Alden replied before leaving without giving any response to Alice's plea. It was always like this. He claimed not to want the marriage, but until now, he had never been willing to divorce her.
"Not wanting to divorce me, yet always refusing our marriage. You even treat me like I don't exist," Alice pursed her lips. She didn't know how else to soften Alden's heart to open up to her or at least divorce her.
A few years ago.
Chloe parked her car as she saw a crowd of people blocking her way. She grumbled a bit because today was the day she would say goodbye to her boyfriend. Alden Wesley was leaving for Australia to pursue his studies, and if she were late, she wouldn't be able to see him for five years.
"What's happening here?" Chloe asked one middle-aged woman.
"A multiple-car accident, ma'am. It's tragic. The only survivor is that girl!" a local resident replied, pointing to a girl crying and hugging a shawl. Her eyes looked empty, and she appeared to be around fifteen years old.
Chloe was taken aback as the girl continued to cry inconsolably. Her cries sounded heart-wrenching, saying she had no one left in the world as all her family members died at the scene. Feeling sorry for her, Chloe approached the teenager and hugged her, comforting her.
"It's okay! Don't cry anymore. I'm here. I'll take care of you," Chloe said, trying to soothe the girl.
"What's your name, dear?" Chloe asked again, wiping the girl's tears away.
"M-my name is Alice, Miss," she replied tearfully, still looking towards the police who were evacuating her family's bodies.
"Okay, from now on, Alice will stay with me!" Chloe guided the girl to stand up. Before leaving the scene, Chloe handed her phone number to a police officer on duty there. She also told Alice to be with her, and if any family members came looking for them, they could contact her on that number.
Once finished, Chloe immediately took Alice with her. She didn't want to be late for the airport.
Half an hour later, Chloe finally arrived at the airport, fortunately, she arrived on time. Without waiting long, holding Alice's hand, she took the girl with her to see Alden off.
"Chloe, I thought you wouldn't come!" Luna, Alden's mother, greeted Chloe with a hug.
"Of course, Auntie. How could I not?" Chloe replied, returning the hug and kissing the cheeks of the middle-aged woman.
"And who is this, dear?" Alden interrupted when he saw Alice standing behind Chloe. The teenage girl didn't look well; she had bruises on her cheeks and lips, and her clothes had blood stains, covered by a shawl.
Actually, Alice refused to come with Chloe, but Chloe insisted on introducing Alice to Alden and his family.
"Oh, this is Alice. Alden, Auntie! And Alice, this is Aunt Luna, Alden's mother. Alden, this is my boyfriend," Chloe introduced them to each other.
"Alice, Alden, Auntie!" Alice greeted them, shaking hands with both the mother and son, then curtsying.