Chapter 4
“Don’t touch my veil!” I shouted. “I’m still going into the hall to get married!”
Cora sneered, “Oh, stop pretending! Married to who? Take the dress off and hand it over!”
When I fiercely resisted, she turned to the crowd behind her. “What are you all standing there for? Help me out!”
But they didn’t listen to her. They all turned to Jared, waiting for his command.
I, too, locked my gaze on him, hoping that for the sake of our years of friendship, he wouldn’t let this go any further.
red glanced at me indifferently, his voice cold. “Didn’t you hear your future sister–in–law? Go, take that dress off her and let my fiancée try it on.”
In an instant, over a dozen hands reached for me, tugging at my dress and ripping at my veil.
I screamed and shouted, but in the end, despair overtook me, and I closed my eyes.
This was the man I had loved for fifteen years.
The childhood friend who always put me last.
But then, a commanding voice rang out. “Stop! What do you think you’re doing?”
I froze in shock. That voice–it sounded so much like my not–so–familiar husband.
Hurried footsteps approached, and then a warm jacket, carrying a man’s body heat, was draped over me, shielding me from the chaos around me.
I couldn’t help but turn my head. What I saw was a face that left me stunned.
It was really him! My newlywed husband, Elijah Weston.
Elijah wrapped me tightly in his arms, using his jacket to cover my torn wedding gown.
His eyes were full of concern as he asked, “Are you alright?”
I never expected him to actually come. For a moment, I was at a complete loss.
Before I could think of how to explain the situation to my husband, Jared spoke up first.
“Well, well, Elizabeth. Where’d you find this knight in shining armor? That suit is pretty formal–I’ll give him that.”
My chest tightened. I wanted to explain, but it was already too late.
Elijah frowned and declared firmly, “I’m no knight in shining armor. I’m Elizabeth’s husband, and I’m here to take her to the wedding venue.”
His serious tone didn’t intimidate the crowd; instead, it drew a wave of laughter.
“Haha! Did he just say he’s Elizabeth’s husband?”
“That’s even funnier than Elizabeth claiming she’s getting married in the grand hall at Emerald Manor!”
Jared laughed so hard he clutched his stomach, tears glistening at the corners of his eyes.
“Listen to this guy–he’s actually here to claim his green hat!”
“Hey, suit guy, are you really Elizabeth’s husband?” someone jeered.
Before Elijah could respond, Cora interjected, “Impossible! Elizabeth’s husband must be furious right now after finding out his bride ran off. This guy is probably just some actor Elizabeth hired!”
At the mention of “running away,” guilt surged through me, and I instinctively glanced at Elijah.
But Elijah didn’t say a word. Instead, he gently patted the back of my hand to reassure me.
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The Bride’s Awakening
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Chapter 4
Jared Donovan nodded in agreement. “I think he looks like an actor too. Elizabeth, I get that today’s been humiliating for you, but that doesn’t mean you can drag just anyone here to pretend to be your husband.”
He smirked. “If your real husband knew about this, imagine how heartbroken he’d be.”
I immediately shot back, “He’s not pretending! He really is my husband!”
Jared rubbed his temples, looking as if he was done playing.
“Alright, I don’t have time to waste on your games anymore. Just apologize to Cora, take off your wedding dress, and let her try it on. Then we’ll
consider this matter closed.”
Elijah stepped in front of me, his anger boiling over.
losed? After treating my wife like this, you think you can just call it quits? Every single one of you owes her an apology, and this is far from oper
I was stunned, completely taken aback by how fiercely he was defending me.
“Oh wow, Elizabeth. The actor you hired is really dedicated to his role! He’s even playing the protective husband now. Makes us all jealous?”
Cora’s tone was dripping with sarcasm. Her words and demeanor made it clear she didn’t believe for a second that this tall, handsome man could be my husband.
She deliberately clung to Jared’s arm and spoke in a sickly sweet voice.
“Oh, Jared, Elizabeth just said she’s holding her wedding in the grand hall at Emerald Manor today. Mr. Weston, why don’t you take your lovely wife to the grand hall right now and hold your ceremony?”
Jared’s lackey, Johnathan Atlas, immediately chimed in.
“Cora, you’re too kind to even believe that nonsense. These two are clearly full of it. If they actually hold a wedding in the grand hall today, I’ll eat shit standing on my head!”
Hearing that, Elijah couldn’t hold back his laughter.
He put on a serious face and replied, “My friend, I won’t stop you if that’s your choice, but I’m afraid that dish isn’t on the menu at my wedding banquet. You might want to supply your own.”
