The enchanting melody wafting from the background ushered in a wave of happiness and fulfillment of dreams— to be with one's life partner, one's destiny!
Madeline smiled brightly at her groom, her white gown accentuating her body structure. As the priest gave a brief exhortation on marriage, she stared lovingly at the breathtaking man who stood by her side, adorned in an ash tuxedo. He looked every bit an exuberance of composure—his dark hair was neatly styled and brushed back, and his soft eyes remained lovingly on the woman he couldn't wait to be married to in a few minutes.
"Brethren, marriage brings a man and woman together so that they can become one, to live together in love and unity. A love so true that the heart yearns for, forever…."
The audience listened attentively, some beaming with smiles while others sniffed, cleaning the tears dripping down their faces out of their love and happiness for the bride.
They exchanged their vows, mentioning each word with all sincerity. No doubt, this couple loved each other.
In the midst of all this, Tristan sat by the door, watching the whole scene unfold. His eyes were locked onto Madeline and her husband, and a burning feeling erupted inside him.
He was in a shabby white pair of trousers, one that the sun had blown its beauty away, and a brown round neck. One could barely recognize that he was the same Tristan Mendez, formerly referred to as the youngest and most successful CEO who had everything at the tip of his fingers.
His hands folded into a fist. 'How dare you do this to me, Madeline?' He seethed with rage.
About six months ago, and on the very day his family declared bankruptcy, he was involved in a car accident that almost cost him his life. As a result, he was in a coma for six months.
However, he woke up to nothing at the time he regained his consciousness. His father had abandoned him and absconded. His mother was married to another influential man overseas, his only sister was in an unknown orphanage, and the woman… the woman he loved dearly, Madeline, had called off their relationship and had gotten engaged to Terry, the son of the Myles group.
He scoffed.
He couldn't bring himself to think of the awkward way Madeline had called off the relationship. Madeline had sent him a handwritten letter stating that he no longer fit in with the wealthy, and he was as poor as a church rat!
A short, frustrated laugh escaped his lips.
He folded his fist, seeing how happy she looked and how others were excited for her.
Tristan had made up his mind to attend the wedding and cause a ruckus. He was going to bring her as much ridicule as she brought him. He was going to make her feel ashamed to the extent that, in her next life, when she hears the word 'marriage', she would cry and run like a thief in the night.
He was determined to raise an objection.
The priest turned to the audience, "If there is anyone here who has a reason why these two should not be joined together, speak now or forever hold your peace."
That was the moment Tristan had been waiting for. Initially, his hand shook as he raised it a bit, but no one noticed. Before he could raise it higher for everyone to see, a cool feminine voice bellowed behind him.
"I object."
He turned at the slender brown-haired figure, her left hand raised above her shoulder, and the other clutching tightly to her blue birkin bag. She was in a navy blue suit and a black shade. Her French beret framed slightly above her brows, adding to the confidence she exuded, which was beyond measure.
Tristan was taken aback. The lady, in fact, was Cassandra Benedotte, the biological sister of Madeline. As far as Tristan remembered, Cassandra and Madeline were from the same father and mother, and they loved each other dearly. Their bond as siblings was so deep that other parents wished their kids would be like them.
"Cassandra, are you crazy?" Madeline asked, staring unbelievably at her sister. Her gaze shifted over to her parents, who, due to the shock, couldn't get a word out for that moment.
"Mom, Dad, what's going on with sis?"
"Did you two fight?" Mrs Benedotte asked, and Madeline shook her head in denial.
The priest cleared his throat and continued. "Why should they not be married?" He asked.
Cassandra sighed. "Madeline is pregnant with another person's child." She answered.
A murmur ensued among the audience. Madeline's mouth fell open as Terry's smile faltered into a frown.
Madeline shook her head in denial. "Cassandra, what are you saying! That's not true!"
Mr and Mrs Benedotte rose to their feet, their gaze widened in shock, and they shifted to and fro from Madeline and Cassandra.
"I am not pregnant, Mum, Dad, I'm not. I don't know what's going on with Cassandra."
Cassandra continued. "Here's the test result if you do not believe me." She threw a folded paper on the floor. A security picked it up and hurriedly passed it on to a Mr Benedotte.
His hands shook as he read it, and his voice trembled. "Positive?"
The murmur increased, and a ruckus erupted between both families. The Myles group called them names in disappointment, and Madeline continuously told them she wasn't pregnant.
But no one believed her.
While the ruckus continued, Tristan took notice of Cassandra walking out of the hall, and he followed. He wanted to know why she did that. Whether or not Madeline was pregnant, he wanted to know why she raised such a sensitive objection and ruined her sister's wedding.
They were blood sisters. She could have kept silent.
"Cassandra!" He called, but she didn't seem to hear him. "Cassandra!" He shouted really loudly this time.
Hearing her name, she stopped in her tracks and turned to him. Her expression was that of amusement. "Oh, it's the human who raised an objection, too." She said playfully.
"No, I couldn't…"
"Yes, I was smart enough to raise my hand before you could." She sighed and flicked her hair over her shoulder. "You wanted to take my shine."
Tristan furrowed his brows in confusion. The manners engraved in her voice were strange, and she talked as if she didn't know who he was.
Cassandra crossed her hands and continued. " Wait, you wanted to object. Are you an enemy of Madeline, too? Wow, you are too handsome to be an enemy. Well, the devil is handsome, maybe you are one too." She squealed.
Tristan staggered backward, bewildered by her words. An enemy?
"Do you…not know me?" He muttered, a hint of astonishment in his voice.
Cassandra straightened at his statement, and her face faltered into a frown. She came back to her senses. If she must live in that world, she mustn't let people find out about her identity. She was meant to be Cassandra Benedotte, not Ally Nightingale.