Substitute bride
N'S
ide be? The one ca
k with a deepening scowl
betraying my restlessness. Stayin
ed, secretly wishing for a mishap to disrupt the meti
rest, not wanting to appear
ord?" I requested in
he could respond, I pressed, "D
ike your mother," he said, nodding towards my mom,
'm growing weary of this space," I complaine
hey'll regret the embarrassment," he assured m
********
NA'S
lared to my mother, exaspe
e to marry a man I did not know,
ise your voice?"
den Evans is impossible when my hear
and the dire consequences of defying the Evans.
gs. My happiness is irrelevant to you, isn'
, arms folded,
t blame her. This is on you for agreeing to such
t is for you to replace your sister, that's all,"
o this for him if not for m
sh to preserve his reputation, then act
cted, and I saw a glimm
a's gown and join me downstairs," she instr
ent to this absurd marriage? It was t
lt like shackles r
me, symbolizing the burdensome exp
hose eyes reflected uncertainty about a
inking, 'For my family, for honor,' a mantra now in
the sound of my phone j
rt thu
Derrick calling. What shou
turned away, tears streaming down
ick when he discovers I
t's time," Laura, our loyal servant, and m
couple more minutes?" I pleaded
other, insists I escort you downstairs imme
come to terms with everything h
vident you're not thrilled about
must do what's necessary for
nd said, "Let's go ahead," as Laura helped
wedding march began and I descended
ook his place. My mother's eyes sparkled
ave no response. The last thing on my
n, the moment everyone awaited
Vance, do you take Mr. Aiden Evans as your husba
is, I thought, eyes shut,
ut reality hit when t
N'S
arade was all I c
alk of Los Angeles and beyond, I was prepared to put an en
mplored the Blessed Virgin Mary to inspi
******
NA'S
grew louder, and vision
her's voice resonated in my hea
last, prompting app
en, I sensed h
I did. Better still, I had no intent
en Evans, do you take Miss Selena Vance as your wife,
or him to refuse, s
shed as he affirmed
s, and the priest announced,
s suffocating, the weight of my
ey trembled with the magnitude of the un
ention, for a power outage, a sudden s
rp and urgent, demanding an answer: Was I prepared to spend