The Substitute Heiress

Yes, I Do (II)

Chapter 8: Yes, I Do (II)

Cassandra

The moment had arrived. With my father by my side, I prepared to walk down the aisle.

As the doors opened and the organ began to play, I felt a wave of excitement and anxiety. The guests rose to their feet, and all eyes were on me. I walked slowly, trying to hold my head high and keep a serene expression. I could feel the admiring glances, the murmurs of approval, but also the pressure to live up to expectations.

The sunlight filtering through the stained-glass windows cast a colorful reflection on the floor, adding an almost magical touch to the atmosphere. The pews were adorned with silk ribbons and small bouquets of flowers, and the scent of fresh blooms filled the air.

Warrick stood at the altar, looking at me. His expression was hard to read, a mixture of appreciation and something else I couldn't quite identify. Despite our complicated relationship, in that moment, I felt a connection. We both knew what this meant.

Before walking down the aisle, my father took my hands and looked at me with a mix of pride and emotion in his eyes.

"Cass, darling, I'm so proud of you. I hope that man makes you very happy and loves you as much as you deserve," he said softly.

"Thank you, Dad. It means a lot to me that you're here," I replied, trying to hold back tears.

"I'll always be here for you, daughter. Whatever happens, you'll always be my little girl. Now, take a deep breath and remember that I'm with you every step of the way," he added, giving my hands a final squeeze before we began to walk.

Upon reaching the altar, my father turned to Warrick and, with a firm yet affectionate tone, said:

"Warrick, I entrust to you my daughter. Take care of her and cherish her; she's an invaluable treasure."

Warrick nodded solemnly, taking my hand as my father returned to his seat.

"Thank you, sir," Warrick replied, his voice serious and respectful.

The priest began the ceremony, and as the vows approached, I could feel the tension in the air. Warrick looked into my eyes, and for a moment, I saw a spark of sincerity.

"Today, before all our loved ones, I promise to support you every step of the way, to be your partner in good times and bad, and to share with you all the moments of joy and overcome challenges together. No matter what the future holds, I want you to know that I will always be by your side, because being with you has taught me the true meaning of love and dedication," he said, his voice firm and clear.

I took a deep breath before responding.

"I promise to stand by you every step of the way, to give you my unwavering support, and to share with you all the joys that life presents. I promise to be your friend, your confidante, and your biggest cheerleader. Today, before all our loved ones, I declare my commitment to you, knowing that together we can overcome any obstacle and build a future full of love and happiness."

The priest smiled and, raising his hands, said:

"Warrick, do you take Cassandra as your lawful wife, to love her, honor her, and care for her in sickness and in health, in wealth and in poverty, until death do you part?"

Warrick looked deeply into my eyes before firmly responding.

"Yes, I do."

The priest nodded and turned to me.

"Cassandra, do you take Warrick as your lawful husband, to love him, honor him, and care for him in sickness and in health, in wealth and in poverty, until death do you part?"

I took a deep breath, feeling the weight of the moment, and answered clearly.

"Yes, I do."

"By the power vested in me, I now pronounce you husband and wife. Warrick, you may kiss the bride."

Warrick leaned in, and though our kiss was brief and formal, I felt a strange mix of emotions. The crowd applauded and cheered, and for a moment, everything seemed perfect.

***

The reception was in full swing when the first dance was announced. Warrick and I made our way to the center of the dance floor, and the orchestra began to play a soft, romantic melody. Warrick took my hand, and we moved to the rhythm of the music.

"You look beautiful, Cass. The dress is... stunning," Warrick said softly as we danced.

"Thank you, Warrick. You look great too," I replied, trying to maintain a civilized conversation.

"I know this isn't easy for either of us, but I want you to know that I'm committed to making this work as best as possible," he added, looking at me with sincerity in his eyes.

"I appreciate that, Warrick. I also want this to work, somehow," I responded, feeling a faint hope that perhaps, just perhaps, we could find a way to get along.

After the dance, we were surrounded by guests who wanted to congratulate us. The mayor was among the first to approach.

"My heartfelt congratulations to both of you. I wish you a life full of happiness and success," he said, shaking our hands.

"Thank you, Mr. Mayor. We really appreciate your presence here today," Warrick replied with a smile.

The internationally renowned actress also came over.

"Cass, you look radiant. The dress is absolutely beautiful. Best wishes to you both," she said, warmly embracing me.

"Thank you, it means a lot to me that you came," I replied, feeling slightly overwhelmed by all the attention.

Conversations continued throughout the night. Some guests shared their own marital experiences, offering advice and words of encouragement. Others simply expressed their joy at being present at such a grand event.

Throughout the reception, Warrick and I had several moments to talk privately.

"How are you feeling?" Warrick asked at one point, as we took a brief break from the congratulations.

"A bit overwhelmed, but okay. All of this is so... surreal," I replied, looking around.

"I know. But at least we're in this together," Warrick said, offering me a smile that, for the first time, seemed genuine.

"Yeah, together," I replied, feeling a strange sense of comfort in that word.

As the night progressed, Warrick and I continued to interact with guests, dancing and maintaining the facade of a happy couple. Although our relationship was far from perfect, on that day, in that moment, we managed to create an illusion of unity and happiness that somehow gave me renewed hope for the future.

At the end of the night, as guests began to leave and the lights dimmed, Warrick and I found ourselves alone for a moment.

"Cass, I want you to know that, despite everything, I'm grateful for how you handled all of this. You've been incredibly strong and brave," Warrick said, looking at me with an intensity I hadn't seen before.

"Thank you, Warrick. It means a lot to hear that. And I'm also grateful that we're trying to make this work the best way we can," I replied, feeling an unexpected connection.

"Let's move forward, day by day. And who knows, maybe we can find a way to be happy in this," he added, offering me his hand.

"Maybe we can," I replied, taking his hand and feeling a spark of hope for the future.

And so, with a mix of nerves, hope, and an uncertain future, we began our life together as husband and wife.