Replaced Bride

Christian POV

“Famous hotelier and CEO of Evans Group, Christian Evans, is getting married. Yes, you heard it right: the most eligible bachelor is getting hitched to his longtime girlfriend.” The reporters had been repeating the same news for hours.

Lucas Smith turned off the TV. He walked over to his best friend, who was standing on the balcony. “You okay, man?”

I didn’t say anything; I just stared at the wedding venue. It was beautifully decorated. Today, I was supposed to marry the woman I loved—my girlfriend of five years, actress Emma Blake. This was meant to be the best day of my life, the happiest moment I’d ever known. Instead, the person I cared for most had shattered my heart just one hour before the ceremony was set to begin.

Half an hour ago, while I was getting ready, I received a message from her:

Christian.

I don’t think I can marry you. I am so, so sorry. But I can’t do it. On one side is my dream, and on the other is my love. I got an opportunity to work with a major production house and I can’t say no. It’s my dream to be a big star. I have decided to pursue it. I am sorry to do this to you. I love you. Farewell.

I thought it was a prank at first. I tried calling, but there was no answer. Panic set in. I asked Lucas and Ryan to look into it, and Lucas soon confirmed the truth: Emma had really run away. My heart shattered. The person who brought me the most joy had dealt me the deepest wound.

Ryan went to inform my parents. Hearing the news, they came rushing to the suite. My mother, Stella Evans, hugged me from behind while my father, Brandon, patted my shoulder. Lucas’s parents, Tim and Rosie Smith, and Ryan’s parents, William and Sophie Brown, consoled them. The Evans, Smith, and Brown families had always been close—known as the “Powerful Trio” of the Imperial Capital.

“Brandon, Sophie and I will go handle the guests,” William Brown said. “If they see no one out there, the rumors will start to fly.”

“Thanks, William,” Brandon replied. “You handle the guests; we’ll handle the situation here.”

As William and Sophie left, Ryan and Lucas re-entered the room. “Christian, buddy...” Lucas said, holding out a tablet. My face darkened as I watched the footage. It showed the back of the venue; Emma was seen entering a car and speeding away.

My mother saw the video and her eyes welled with tears. “Son, are you okay?” she asked, her voice trembling. “How could Emma do this to you?”

I didn’t utter a word. My face was a mask of stone. They knew how much I cared for her—how I’d used every bit of my power to make her happy, pampering her like a princess. This was my reward after five years. She dumped me for a movie. If she had told me earlier, I would have changed the date. Instead, she humiliated me in front of millions of people.

“Son, please say something. You’re scaring me,” Stella pleaded.

“Brandon, we must think of something,” Tim Smith urged. “The guests are waiting, and the media is watching. We can’t let this grand event turn into a circus.”

The venue was packed with influential politicians, businessmen, and celebrities. The world’s best chefs were in the kitchen; the flowers had been flown in from across the globe. It was supposed to be a fairy-tale wedding.

There was a knock at the door. It was Emma’s mother, Elena Blake. She entered with her head low, consumed by shame. Stella’s grief turned to anger. “Why are you here? Your daughter has done enough damage. What more do you want?”

“I want to apologize,” Elena sobbed. “We are so, so sorry.”

“Crying won’t solve this,” Rosie Smith added coldly. “Can you contact her? Tell her to come back. It’s not too late.”

“Her phone is off,” Elena whispered miserably.

“I don’t believe it,” Stella snapped. “We never forced her. We discussed the date with both of you, and you both agreed. To run away now...”

“I’m sorry,” Elena suggested through her tears. “Why don’t we postpone?”

“NO.” I finally spoke. “I am getting married today.”

The room went silent. They looked at me as if I’d lost my mind.

“Son, you’re hurt. You’re talking nonsense,” Mom said. “Go home and rest. We’ll handle the press.”

“No, Mom. I’m not going anywhere. It’s my wedding day. I’ll leave after the ceremony.” I turned my hand into a fist, tightening my jaw to control the rage. If Emma thought I would wait for her, or that I couldn’t live without her, she was wrong. I would prove her wrong today.

“Find me a girl to marry,” I declared.

“Christian, don’t be rash,” Dad said, his voice firm. “You’re angry. This isn’t the time for life-altering decisions.”

“I’ve done enough,” I countered. “We postponed the wedding twice for her schedule. Everyone worked months for this. I’m not canceling it just because the bride ran away. If we can replace the roses with orchids, we can replace her.”

Suddenly, a knock sounded. A girl in a lavender dress stood at the door. “Mrs. Smith? Mrs. Brown asked me to check if everything is alright.”

“Everything is fine, Jane,” Tim said. “How are the guests?”

“They’re enjoying the performances, sir. If there’s nothing else, I’ll head back...”

“Wait,” I said. I moved toward the door, my hand shooting out to grab her wrist. I pulled her into the room.

The girl—Jane—looked terrified. My grip was tight, born of a cold, calculated fury. She struggled to free herself. “Let go! What are you doing?”

“Christian, let her go!” my father barked. “You’re hurting her!”

“Did I do something wrong?” Jane asked, her face turning pale as she felt the suffocating tension in the room.

“I have decided,” I said, my voice echoing against the walls. “I am marrying her.

Shocked clearly evident in her eyes. "NO. I'm not."