Chapter 4 Four

Amaya’s POV

Today was supposed to be the happiest day of my life. My dad was supposed to be getting ready to walk me down the aisle and hand me over to Bernard. But instead, here I am, about to marry Benjamin against my wishes.

I sniffed back the tears threatening to spill down my face.

"Please don’t cry, honey. You will ruin your makeup. I'm sure you want to look like the prettiest swan and not some ugly crying duckling."

I flashed a fake smile at the stylist, a woman in her early forties with kind eyes.

I had to keep it together. If not for myself, then for my father. He had worked too hard and sacrificed too much just to raise me after my mom died while trying to give birth to my baby brother. If this sacrifice was the only way I could pay him back for making me the woman I am today, then I would do it.

But what about Bernard? What about his feelings?

I bit the inside of my cheek until I tasted copper, desperate to keep fresh tears from falling. This wasn’t fair to us. Our love should have been strong enough to protect us.

God, I hadn't even had the courage to tell him. I just hoped he would understand when he eventually found out. I shouldn't have failed him, but I couldn't fail my father either. The choice was between a rock and a very hard place.

A soft knock sounded at the door.

"I think it’s time, honey. Hold on strong." 

The stylist pulled a silver flask from her apron and pressed it into my hands. "Here, drink this. It might give you the strength you need to get through today."

I took it and gulped down almost the entire contents, wincing as the liquid burned its way down my throat.

"What the hell is she waiting for? Move it, Amaya!" Miriam stormed into the room, her voice getting on my nerves.

I handed the flask back to the stylist and walked right past my stepmother, sparing her no glance. Not like she deserved any.

My father was waiting for me outside the chapel doors. He took my hand, his gaze carefully avoiding mine.

"I know you think I’m the worst father in the world for allowing this," he muttered.

"Straight from the horse’s mouth," I spat back, not caring how much my harsh words stung him. Right now, I didn't even care if it triggered one of his frequent heart attacks.

He stopped walking, and for a split second, I thought he was actually going to change his mind.

"Listen to me, my daughter. In life, we don’t always get what we want. Life isn’t just black and white. There are always gray areas."

I rolled my eyes so forcefully I almost saw the inside of my own skull.

"There’s no need for the pep talk, Dad. Let’s just go get this over with."

My stylist had been right. The alcohol was already pumping through my veins, flooding me with the exact kind of numb audacity I needed to survive this sham of a wedding.

The bridal march began to play, and my father led me down the aisle. Standing right there at the altar was Benjamin. He looked smug. In fact, he looked like a thief. How was he so comfortable taking everything that belonged to his own twin brother?

We reached the altar, and I shot him a venomous glare as I stepped into place opposite him.

The priest commenced the ceremony. I barely heard a quarter of what he said, not that I cared anyway. Instead, I buried myself in the memory of my night with Bernard. The feel of his strong hands raking through my hair, his firm lips leaving the softest kisses all over my body...

"Benjamin, do you take Amaya to be your lawfully wedded wife? In sickness and in health? For richer or poorer? Till death do you part?"

Benjamin smirked at me before turning to the priest. "I do."

"Amaya, do you take—"

"Stop it right there!"

The entire church gasped, a wave of shock rippling through the pews as everyone turned toward the entrance. My heart began thumping violently against my ribs. While the congregation whispered, scrambling to figure out who was interrupting, I didn't need to look. I already knew exactly who that voice belonged to.

Within seconds, Bernard was standing just a few feet away from us. The look of utter betrayal in his lazy blue eyes crushed my soul on the spot.

"Amaya!" he roared, his voice trembling. "What the hell are you doing?!"

I glanced from him to my father. The two most important men in my life, both demanding something different from me.

Who was I supposed to answer?