The Return of the Billionaire’s Wife

Chapter Two- Wedding

Elena stood in front of the mirror. She could barely recognize the woman staring at her. The white gown clung to her body, the intricate lace trailing down to the floor. She stood elegant and flawless, just like the life she was supposed to have. But this wasn't a dream but a nightmare. This wasn't how her wedding day was supposed to feel.

Her hands were trembling as she reached for the veil on the vanity. She could hear the fuss outside— the guests arriving, the whispers about the ‘Fernando wedding,” the murmurs of her family’s fortune being saved at the cost of her freedom. She swallowed hard and her throat was dry. It felt like there was a rope tightening around her neck, not a veil.

Suddenly, she heard a knock at the door. “Come in,” she said quietly, taking a seat at the corner of the

room.

Her father showed up in the room. The last person she wanted to talk to. His face was cold, just like always. “Are you ready?”

She said, not sparing him a glance. “Does it matter?”

He heaved a heavy sigh and muttered, “Elena, I know this isn't what you wanted but—”

“No, it isn't,” she Interrupted, standing up angrily. She could feel her blood boiling Inside her. “But I don't have a choice, do I?”

He clenched his jaw and said angrily, “This marriage is for the good of the family. For your mother.”

“And for you,” she added bitterly. She turned back to the mirror, adjusting her veil. “Let's just get this over with.” He made an attempt to speak but couldn't find the words. He turned and left the room.

The ceremony was held in the Fernando estate’s grand ballroom. Every inch of it was draped in white and gold. Her heart pounded in her chest as she stood at the entrance. Her arms were locked with her father’s.

The music started, a soft and delicate melody that should have been romantic. But to her, it sounded more like a funeral march. She couldn't focus. Everything was blurry, it was like she was trapped in someone else’s life. Her legs felt heavy as she took the first step down the aisle.

The guests turned to look at her, some with pity, others with curiosity. She spotted her ex-boyfriend, Jackie, sitting in the middle row. He looked bored, as none of this sounded interesting to him. Well, he might have found it weird because I never invited him. Who could have done that? Oh, my sweet sister, Victoria.

She was always the favorite. Always the one who got to choose her life. But Elena had no choice.

At the end of the aisle, she spotted Richard Fernando, the man she was about to marry. He was tall, and imposing in a sleek black suit. He had a chiseled jawline, his dark hair was slicked back, and his sharp ocean-blue eyes watched her as she walked toward him.

There's no warmth in his gaze. Just a cold, arrogant look. He clearly wasn't here for love. He was here for a transaction.

As she reached the altar, her father released her arm and stepped back. The priest cleared his throat and said firmly, “We are gathered here today to witness the union of Richard Fernando and Elena Morgan…”

Her heart raced as she heard those words. She gave a glance at Richard, who hadn't taken his eyes off her. He wouldn't have known if Father had given him another person since he had never seen Victoria. She felt her stomach churning as she found it unsettling how he looked at her.

Do you, Elena Morgan, take Richard Fernando to be your lawfully wedded husband?” the priest declared. She swallowed hard, “I… I do,” Her voice was barely a whisper.

The priest turned to Richard and demanded, “And do you, Fernando, take Elena Morgan to be your lawfully wedded wife?”

“I do,” he said without hesitation. There was no emotion in it. No strings attached. It was just a cold acceptance. “You may now kiss the bride,” the priest announced, closing his book.

She watched as he stepped toward her. His hand reached out, brushing a strand of hair from her face. Their eyes met, and for a moment, she felt a strange chill run down her spine.

He leaned in and pressed a firm but brief kiss to her lips. It wasn't tender but then also, it wasn't passionate. It was a formality, a signature on a dotted line.

After the ceremony, they were ushered into the grand hall for the reception. Elena was moving like a ghost, shaking hands and accepting congratulations she didn't want. She forced her smile but her eyes were vacant. She felt trapped in a nightmare she couldn't wake up from.

She did not notice Richard was by her side the entire time. He was calm, composed, and distant. He hasn't spoken to her since they met. He acknowledged the guests with a polite nod. To the outside world, they looked like the perfect couple, but Elena knew better. She was nothing more than a pawn in a game she didn't understand.

As the day progressed, she found a moment to slip away from the crowd. She stepped outside onto the balcony. She closed her eyes and took a deep breath. She felt like drowning, lost in a sea of thoughts.

She was pulled back by a voice behind her. “You aren't enjoying the party?” She turned to see Richard standing there, his hands were in his pockets. She forced a tight smile and asked curiously, “What do you think?”

He stepped closer and said, “I think this wasn't your choice.” Her heart skipped a beat and she whispered, “No, it wasn't.”

He took a step closer to her and studied her for a moment. “But you made it anyway.”

“What other choice did I have?” she asked, running her hands through her hair. His lips curved into a faint smile and mumbled softly, “You had a choice. You could have walked away.”

She stared at him blankly. She was wondering if he was trying to test her. Was this some kind of twister game of his?

“I couldn’t walk away,” she said softly. “My family needs this. My mother…” His eyes darkened for a moment but it was gone quickly as it appeared.

“Then we are the same,” he muttered quietly.

She frowned at him. Was he pulling or legs or playing some prank on her? She was confused. “What do you mean?”

“I didn't choose this either,” he continued, “But sometimes, we have to make sacrifices for the things we care about.”

At this point, she was totally confused. She stared at him blankly. Since she met him, this was the first time she saw something human in him— something that made her feel less alone. But it was all untrue. Just like everything else in her life.

The night dragged on and the Grand Fernando estate was quiet. Elena sat in the massive bedroom she now called hers, staring at the gold-accented walls. She began to let herself breathe again and tried to put away her worries. Her phone buzzed on the nightstand. She picked it up and drowned when she heard the familiar voice. It was Victoria!

She hesitated and she felt her blood boiling inside her. Why would she call her now? After everything that had happened, the last person she wanted to hear from was her sister.

She heaved a heavy sigh and answered, “What do you want, Victoria?” She heard a familiar mocking laugh at the other end of the phone. “Oh, Elena, is that any way to greet your dear sister?”

She clenched her jaw and grabbed the phone tighter. She felt the urge to smack the phone on the tile but she held her anger for a while. “I'm not in the mood for your games. Just say whatever you have to say.”

She heard her sister coo with fake sympathy. “Oh, come on, sis. Don't be so bitter. After all, you're Mrs Fernando now. You should be thrilled, right? I mean, isn't this what you've always wanted? To be the center of attention? To save the family? Daddy’s little hero?”

Her heart pounded in her chest and she tried to find her voice. “I didn't want this, Victoria. And you know it.” she heard as Victoria let out a cunning laugh. “Oh, but you did want it, didn't you? Or at least, you wanted to play the role of the martyr. That's what you do best, after all. But let me let you in on a little secret…” Victoria’s voice dropped and she whispered, “I planned it all.”

Elena felt her blood run cold and she asked curiously, “What are you talking about?”

“You really thought I was ever going to marry Richard Fernando?” she scoffed. “I can never marry him. He's already going bankrupt. He can't afford me. We are never in the same category. But you… you are perfect for him.” she let out another laugh.

She clenched her fists and ran a hand through her hair. “You… planned this?”

“Of course I did!” she said happily. “Do you really think Daddy just decided to push you into this without a little nudge from me? I made sure he knew I wasn’t interested in the marriage. He's f*****g going bankrupt. He used his remaining savings and investment for all these. How do you expect me to be with him?

“I made sure he turned to you. After all, someone had to clean up the mess, right? And who better than good old Elena, always so desperate for approval?”

She felt her hands trembling. She was raging. “You used me.”

“Oh, don't act so surprised,” she added, “You've always been the backup plan. You should be used to it by now.” She was burning up. She felt her heart was about to explode. “Why would you do this? Why throw me into this nightmare?”

“Because it was never supposed to be me, Elena. I'm the one who gets what I want. And speaking of getting what I want…” she paused, showing me her left hand. “I thought you'd like to know that I'm engaged.”

Victoria laughed when she saw the curiosity on Elena’s face. “You're wondering who it is.” she let out a cruel laugh. “Who do you think? My Jackie, of course.”

Her breath was caught in her throat. She couldn't speak because the words refused to come. Jackie? Her ex-boyfriend? The same man who had betrayed her with Victoria?

“Oh, Elena, you should see the ring he gave me,” she continued in her mocking tone. “It's gorgeous. Far better than anything you'd ever get. Do you want to hear how he proposed? How did he say I was the love of his life? How he had never been happier?”

She felt her chest tightening and she luckily found her voice. “You… you're marrying him?”

“Of course I am, you fool,” she barked. “Why settle for someone like Richard when I can live a flamboyant life? Why would I live a boring life when I can have everything? While you're stuck playing housewife with Richard Fernando, I'm living as you thought you'd have. Isn't that deliciously great?”

She couldn't hold back the tears anymore “You’re quite horrid, Victoria. You're heartless.”

She heard a loud laughter at the end of the phone. “Heartless? No, darling. I’m just smarter than you. I’ve always been smarter than you. That’s why I win, and you lose. Every. Single. Time.”

She gripped the phone with her knuckles in anger. “You won't get away with this. I promise.”