Camila's POV
"I knew it. The way this bastard has been laughing ever since he met me got me worried. I knew he was up to something, and I guessed right."
"May I know the reason why you are against your own union?" The priest asked, his tone laced with concern.
"I wasn't going to oppose the wedding! But before we proceed, I need to tell everyone something," he declared firmly, his tone serious and stern.
"This bastard is seriously going nuts!" I cursed in my head, a devilish smile creeping onto my face. "Maybe he already caught on to my father's trick, and now he's going to expose it all in front of everyone." Fear gripped me. I couldn't bear the thought of my father's plan unraveling right in front of us.
But then again, it's none of my business as long as he's canceling this marriage. I care less, I thought, trying to shake off the irrational fear that was clouding my mind.
"And what might that be?" The priest inquired again, this time with a faint smile, not out of curiosity, but with a hint of amusement.
"Actually, I'm not the groom!" he stated firmly, with a sarcastic grin. He made sure to look at me directly and say it loud and clear, ensuring I understood his scheme.
"What sort of absurdity is this?" I screamed out, unable to keep my composure. I couldn't take it anymore, this crazy bastard acting so calm in front of me.
"Daniil is away on a business trip!" he continued, still smiling smugly. "He'll be back today, but might be a little late. That's why I'm standing in for him," he added with a calm smile, like it was the most natural thing in the world.
I knew it wasn't true. This bastard was just hiding the sarcasm in his voice. He was mocking me, and I could feel it.
"Who goes on a business trip on their wedding day? Daniil, fucking stop this shit!" I screamed again, my patience finally running out.
To my amusement, he didn't flinch. He didn't even respond. What was worse was that no one else was saying anything. Not a single person spoke up,including my parents, who should've been horrified were calm, almost as if this was nothing.
"Mrs. Bravona!" the priest said, trying to regain control of the situation. "I'm truly sorry, but your groom will be here soon."
"Where the hell is that bastard?" I screamed in indignation, my voice rising in frustration.
"I'm here!" I heard a calm, almost arrogant voice call from the door.
I turned immediately, my heart pounding. There he was, standing in the doorway, dressed in a sharp black suit.
His eyes held no warmth, only a calm indifference that sent a shiver down my spine. For a second, I was speechless, completely stunned by his sudden presence. I couldn't believe that I had been ranting just moments ago. My voice, my anger, they had all disappeared. I couldn't even make a sound.
He took a slow, deliberate step forward. I hissed, wanting to look away, but he was impossible to ignore. He didn't smile. He didn't need to. His presence spoke for itself.
I watched him walk toward me, his steps steady and unwavering until he was standing tall in front of me.
The fake groom excused himself with a quiet chuckle and walked away, still grinning devilishly. I swore, if I could, I would have slapped that smile right off his face. "Crazy bastard!" I cursed silently, gritting my teeth.
"Sorry for being late! 'Wife,'" Daniil's voice barely above a whisper, snapped me back to reality.
I slowly turned my neck to look at him, feeling small under his towering height and large frame. I hissed again as I stood up, my body stiff. I didn't give him a response.
I glanced at my parents, especially my mother who had looked so lost just some moments ago, she was now beaming with a proud smile, while my father kept his head lowered, as if ashamed to meet my eyes.
They had just married me off to a man who couldn't even make it to his own wedding on time, and yet they were still proud of it. How shameless could they be, especially my mother? She didn't seem to have an ounce of shame in her.
"A stand-in husband on the wedding day or should I call it a groom switch?" I muttered under my breath, the bitterness rising in my chest.
Daniil grabbed my hand without warning, pulling me toward him. I couldn't argue. If he said he was the real groom, then so be it. "Who am I to argue?" I thought bitterly. "This is my cruel fate, and I have to accept it, no matter what."
"Is there anyone here who is not willing for these two to be joined together in holy matrimony? Speak now or forever hold your peace," the priest asked once again, his smile still in place.
No one dared to raised their hand. I squinted my eyes, trying not to show my outrage, but inside I was seething.
"Daniil Varkanin, do you take Camila Bravona as your wife, before God and man, to forever be joined together, for better or worse, until your last days?" The priest's voice was steady, but I noticed a flicker of hesitation in Daniil's eyes, a brief moment of emotion crossing his features.
But I quickly dismissed it. "It doesn't matter," I told myself. "His answer will never matter."
Daniil slowly parted his lips, and the words I hated the most came out: "I do."
The priest turned to me, asking the same question.
"Camila Bravona, do you take Daniil Varkanin as your husband, before God and man, to forever be joined together, for better or worse, until your last days?"
"I do!" I blurted out in a swift voice, my words more venomous than I could have imagined. It felt more like I was saying "I hate you," than anything else.
I couldn't wait to walk out of that hall. I was already tired of this whole charade.
"You may now kiss the bride," the priest's words pierced through my ears, and I realized, too late, that he needed to kiss me, right here, right now.
"I can't!" I thought, horrified. In an instant, this bastard's lips would be on mine, sucking the life out of me. "Fuck!" I hissed, taking a step back. I might be the craziest bride to run away from her own wedding, but I couldn't think of anything else in that moment. All I wanted was to escape.
But just as I took another step backward, I felt Daniil's arm wrap around my waist, pulling me closer. Before I could object, his lips met mine, sending electric shocks through my entire body.