Shiera looked up at the sky. Dark clouds slowly devoured the scorching sun as thunder rumbled in the distance. A strong gust of wind brushed past her, tugging her gown and sending her veil fluttering across her face.
"Even the sky shares my sorrow," she whispered, tears streaming down her cheeks. "What did I get myself into?"
She lowered her gaze to her simple white wedding dress. She could hardly believe the mess she'd been dragged into. Every instinct screamed for her to run but she couldn't. There was no choice left. She had to stay... and marry a stranger.
"Are you ready?" Keila asked softly.
Shiera didn't respond. Her eyes stayed fixed on the sky, her hands trembling, a flustered heat creeping up her cheeks. She felt trapped somewhere between fear and disbelief.
"I'm sorry you ended up in this situation," Keila said, her voice cracking. "But only you can fix this." She knelt to adjust Shiera's gown, her fingers brushing gently against the fabric.
"It's your turn," Navi's voice crackled through the radio clipped to Keila's back pocket, snapping Shiera from her thoughts.
The massive doors creaked open. Guests turned in unison, their eyes wide and expectant as the wedding march began to play.
Shiera's knees weakened. A chill ran down her spine as her gaze locked on the man waiting at the altar. She clenched her fists, heart pounding.
"I... I can't do this," she whispered.
"Please, Shiera. Think about your sister. You're her only hope," Keila pleaded, her eyes glistening.
"My sister?" Shiera let out a nervous, bitter laugh.
She had been so excited to finally meet her twin. Maine had found her through social media, and the thought of meeting in person had filled Shiera with joy. She'd flown fifteen hours just to see her but this wedding changed everything.
"Has she ever thought of me as her sister!?" Shiera snapped, laughing through her tears.
Keila didn't answer. Guilt flickered across her face.
"I came here to meet her, not to be her substitute bride!" Shiera's voice broke. "This isn't what I came for. I'm done!"
She turned on her heel and stormed away.
I don't care if I ruined my sister's wedding. I'd rather walk away than marry in her place.
Gasps rippled through the crowd. Panic spread like wildfire. Guests whispered, frozen in disbelief.
Navi rushed outside, grabbing Keila's arm. "We can't let her ruin everything! If she leaves, it's over!"
"Shiera!" they both shouted.
"Stop! Please come back!" Keila cried, panting as she ran.
Shit! What do we do? Navi thought, frustration bubbling in her chest. Shiera was already too far.
"Your sister is in danger!" Navi yelled.
Shiera froze mid-step.
What happened to my sister?
Navi smirked inwardly. Gotcha.
Shiera turned back, her face pale with worry. "Why is she in danger? What's going on?"
Keila frowned at Navi. What the hell is she talking about?
"She was kidnapped," Navi said quickly, "by her boyfriend."
"What!? Then why are you here? Call the police!" Shiera exclaimed, panic rising in her voice. She looked at Navi, then at Keila. "Let's go find my sister!"
She was about to turn, but Navi gently stopped her, placing a hand on her shoulder.
"Her boyfriend won't hurt her," Navi said, forcing a reassuring smile. "Only Maine can save herself."
"But how?" Shiera raised an eyebrow, her voice trembling. "How can you be so sure he won't hurt her? He already kidnapped her!"
The smile didn't ease her worries. Her thoughts spiraled chaotically, one after another.
"Maine has a plan," Navi explained, a faint smile flashing on her face. "We planned everything. But for now, we should go back and we'll explain everything to you after."
Nothing Navi said made sense. Shiera knew they were lying. Too many holes. Too many gaps.
She sighed and looked toward the church. A few onlookers stood outside, watching them curiously.
The sky rumbled again, and a few drops of rain splashed against her forehead.
Should I go through with this stupid wedding?
Should I go back home and forget every reason I came here?
Or should I stay, play along with their lies and see how this all ends?
After a long pause, Shiera made her decision. A reckless one, maybe, but at least it would make her stay in this country... entertaining.
She smirked. "Let's go," she announced.
Navi and Keila exchanged delighted smiles. "Thank you, Shiera! Thank you!" they said in unison.
Keila rushed back to the church to announce that the wedding was still on, while Navi knelt to fix Shiera's gown.
"Remember to smile, Shiera," she murmured. "And don't forget that you're Maine."
Shiera hissed under her breath and rolled her eyes. "Of course," she muttered, forcing a sweet smile.
Together, they walked toward the church.
Shiera drew in a long breath as she stepped inside. Dozens of eyes turned toward her—admiring, curious, whispering. Compliments drifted through the air like soft echoes. Then her gaze landed on the man standing at the altar. She squinted, trying to see him clearly, but his face was still a blur.
Ugh. Having astigmatism isn't helping at all.
The wedding song began to play. Keila gave her a subtle nod.
Shiera stepped forward, her pace slow and deliberate. Her hips swayed in rhythm with the music, her veil trailing behind her. With every step closer to the groom, her heart pounded louder matching the thunder that rolled across the sky as rain began to pour.
As she reached him, she finally saw his face. Not bad, she thought. The man had hazel-brown eyes framed by long, thick lashes—lashes so perfect it made her envious. How come this man's eyelashes are prettier than mine? she thought, scowling inwardly.
"What took you so long!?" the man snapped, glaring daggers at her. He extended his hand. "Don't you dare make a scene again." His voice was sharp with restrained anger.
Shiera slapped his hand away. "I don't need your hand," she said coldly, brushing past him toward the priest.
This guy has such a pleasing personality, Shiera thought sarcastically.
Since the ceremony began, all she could hear were his groans, hisses, and impatient sighs. She silently prayed for it to end soon because if she had to stay beside him any longer, she'd lose her mind.
"Can you stop doing that?" she muttered, elbowing the man beside her.
He ignored her completely, as if she hadn't said a word.
"Tsk." She rolled her eyes. Whatever.
When the priest finally said, "Do you take this man...," Shiera nearly snorted.
Take him? she thought. I'd rather return him with no receipt.
"Behave," Grant hissed under his breath, like he was scolding a disobedient pet.
Shiera rolled her eyes so hard it was a miracle they didn't fall out. She curved her lips into a sweet but hollow smile. "I do," she said, each word tasting like vinegar.
The priest turned to Grant. "Grant, do you take Maine as your lawfully wedded wife?"
Grant exhaled through his nose. "I do," he muttered flatly so low that even the microphone struggled to catch it.
As the words left his mouth, his stomach twisted. His chest felt tight, like the air itself refused to cooperate with this farce.
The priest smiled warmly, unaware of the quiet war burning between them. "You may now kiss the bride."
Grant turned toward her, but Shiera instantly stepped back.
There's no way I'm kissing this man, she thought, her glare sharp enough to kill on sight.
Tsk. Kiss my ass, Grant shot back silently, his expression all blades and venom.
The crowd began to chant, voices overlapping in gleeful ignorance.
"Kiss! Kiss! Kiss!"
Shiera froze. Grant smirked. He stepped closer until her freesia scent mixed with his musky perfume clinging to his suit. Their warm breaths tangled in the air.
"Don't you dare," she warned through gritted teeth, pinching his arm hard enough to leave a mark.
Grant only smirked wider. Then his lips brushed hers, rough, quick, and uninvited. It wasn't tender. It was a warning. A promise that this marriage would be nothing close to the fairytale everyone believed it was.
Shiera jerked back, her chest heaving. Her fist clenched. "Fuck you," she mouthed, fury flashing in her eyes. But beneath it, something strange fluttered in her stomach like nausea disguised as butterflies.
Grant grinned, unbothered. "You taste different today," he whispered.
Her smile didn't reach her eyes.
Of course I do, she thought. Because I'm not Maine.
Her gaze sharpened, burning with both defiance and resignation. Every cheer from the crowd, every approving glance, felt like chains tightening around her.
I'm Shiera and now I'm chained by vows to you.
October 14, 2025