The wedding march played softly in the background, a melody that should have been a dream come true for any bride. But as Ruby walked down the aisle, her fingers clenched around the bouquet, she felt like she was stepping toward her doom.
The weight of the deception pressed heavily on her chest. She barely heard the murmurs of admiration from the guests, barely registered the smiles of people who thought they were witnessing a love story unfold. The only thing she could focus on was him.
Stefan Winters stood at the altar, his tall frame exuding quiet confidence despite the dark glasses covering his unseeing eyes.
Even in his blindness, he was composed, strong. His jaw was firm, his posture straight, and though his face was unreadable, Ruby could tell—he was waiting for his bride, Ivy.
Not this imposter, Ruby or this substitute bride.
Her throat tightened. She wasn't Ivy. And she didn't belong here. But there was nothing she could do but march on to meet him.
When she finally reached the altar, Stefan reached out, his fingers brushing over her hands before he gently took them in his.
"Are you okay?" His voice was deep, steady—yet laced with concern.
Though he was blind but he could feel the tension on Ruby's hands just by touching them.
Ruby swallowed hard. "Y-Yes. I'm fine."
How could he tell? Or could he see?
His fingers curled slightly around hers. "If you are, then why are you crying?"
Her breath hitched. He knew. Even without seeing, he could tell. He had to be seeing her! She thought as she trued to make eye contact with him through his glasses.
What was she expecting? He could probably read her posture because of his blind and the tension in her shoulders.
She forced a soft, shaky laugh. "Im not crying, baby. These tears, they're tears of joy. The happiness of being married to the love of my life," she said and closed her eyes in horror.
How could she lie so smoothly abd what was that about him being the love of her life?
Stefan, hearing that smiled brightly. "I love you, too, Ivy," he said and she swallowed but said nothing.
The officiant began, reciting the vows. Ruby tried to focus, but her mind swirled with doubts and guilt. Every time Stefan spoke, every time he said something heartfelt, she felt like a fraud.
And then, it was his turn to speak his vows.
"Ivy," he said, his voice tender, "I know life doesn't always go as planned. I never imagined I'd be standing here like this, unable to see the woman I love on our wedding day and in her wedding dress or how brightly I know she's shinning and lightening up this room. But what I do know is that I don't need my sight to know that you are my home. I've always loved you, and I promise to love you until my last breath."
Ruby's heart twisted painfully.
This wasn't her love he was talking about. It was Ivy's. The woman who had abandoned him. Her lips trembled, and before she could stop herself, the word tumbled out.
"Stop."
The entire hall seemed to hold its breath.
Stefan's brows furrowed in confusion as his heart skipped a beat. "Why? What's wrong? What should we stop? You don't like my vows?"
Ruby blinked rapidly, her mind racing for an answer. She sniffled, forcing a small smile. "Of course not! I said that because… I got blown away and just can't wait to go home with you."
For a moment, there was silence. Then, Stefan's lips curled into a soft smile. "Impatient, are we?"
Ruby let out a weak laugh, but inside, she was panicking.
Home. She was going home with him and he was going to be her husband.
How am I supposed to call my sister's fiancé my husband?
The rest of the ceremony passed in a blur, and before she knew it, the reception was in full swing. Guests laughed, toasted, and celebrated, but Ruby couldn't shake the tightness in her chest.
Halfway through the event, she made her decision. She leaned toward Stefan and whispered, "I don't feel well. Can we leave?"
His head turned toward her, his concern immediate. "Are you okay?"
She nodded quickly. "Just feeling a bit overwhelmed."
He didn't hesitate. "Alright. Let's go."
Minutes later, they were in the car, the quiet hum of the engine filling the silence between them.
Stefan tilted his head slightly, his expression unreadable. "Do you regret it?" he asked out of the blue, making Ruby's heart skip a beat.
Ruby stiffened. "Regret what?"
"Marrying me."
Her breath caught. "What?" she asked before she could stop herself.
Stefan let out a small sigh. "I know this isn't how we imagined our wedding. I know… my blindness wasn't part of what I promised you when I asked you to marry me. But I hope I still make you happy regardless and you're not regretting this. If you want, we could wait until after the surgery before we start behaving like a real married couple. I just want you to be happy, not this gloomy on our wedding day."
Her heart squeezed.
Why did Ivy have to do this? What did she have to put her in a spot like this?
He sounded so vulnerable. So guilty and understanding. When he was the one who had been abandoned.
She swallowed down the lump in her throat and reached for his hand. "I don't regret it, Stefan. I'm just too happy to say anything. Don't overthink it."
The words felt foreign on her tongue, but she forced herself to believe them.
She had agreed to this. So she would try her best to be a good wife to this unsuspecting husband.
Wife. She thought. The word sending a jolt through her.
Her fingers tightened slightly around Stefan's as a something she hadn't considered crossed her mind.
Was she also going to sleep with him, too? What would she do if he wanted sex? Oh, God! What had she gotten herself into?
********
Hello there, lovelies!
It's your Author BabyAngel!
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