Chapter 2 Chapter 2

(Celine's POV)

The following morning, I went into my sister's room for the guests to believe I was Clara. I hadn't thought this day would arrive. I was helping my famous sister cover up for her wedding.

After my bath, I wore a long white wedding dress that swept the ground as I walked. The makeup artist applied heavy makeup on my face, and I hated to say this, but I don't like makeup.

I sat there and allowed them to transform me into my sister's preferred choice of wedding dress—one that had my bare back exposed and my breasts on full display.

This was not the wedding day I had dreamt of. I was taking my twin sister's place as the bride, when she was actually alive and modeling in another state.

"Mmm," I sighed once the makeup artists were done. I looked at my reflection in the mirror and couldn't believe the stunning woman staring back at me.

Soon, my father arrived, dressed in a black tailored suit and shoes. He asked me, "Are you ready, Clara? You look so beautiful."

I saw the proud smile on my father's face. He was seeing me as Clara, his most treasured daughter—not Celine, the one who wanted to marry a pauper.

I shut my eyes and mimicked my twin sister's composure. The way she smiled with a wide grin on her face.

"Yes, Dad," I said, stretching the smile further, and I wondered how long I could keep up this act.

"Let's go." My father escorted me downstairs, and I saw the black Bentley waiting to take me to the wedding.

I had never sat in a Bentley before. So I was nervous, unlike my sister, who traveled from one place to another, going on numerous vacations with her wealthy boyfriend sponsoring all her trips.

We sat in eerie silence as the driver started the car and drove us to the wedding venue.

I was nervous, as the car ride continued until we reached the big church where the wedding was held.

I sucked in a deep breath of fresh air as I got out of the car. The lined-up bridesmaids welcomed me by spreading red flowers as I stepped down.

This was an elite wedding. My father held my left hand tenderly and escorted me into the church, which was packed with top-notch guests.

My heartbeat grew louder in my chest with each step I took into the church, nearing the altar where Clara's fiancé, Jace Augustus, stood.

Jace was a tall, refined, dark-skinned man. Clara was so lucky to have him.

Jace was still a single, hot bachelor at thirty-five years old. He was not a man to mess with.

Seeing him standing close to me as my father and I finally arrived at the altar, Dad handed me over to Jace for the priest to join us in holy matrimony.

I was nervous. I felt like I was going to faint any moment. Jace smiled and took off my veil to reveal my face to him.

I gulped hard and recalled that I was not Clara, and I had to act like her.

How would Clara have reacted on her own wedding day? Excited? Emotional? Casual? I didn't know, but I smiled widely so Jace wouldn't think otherwise as his black eyes met my blue eyes for a brief moment.

I grinned wider so Jace wouldn't think I was not his woman. I had heard from Clara that Jace had never cheated on her, despite his influence and how many women wanted him.

Jace was very handsome and looked like a Greek god, towering above me.

Clara and I were average height, and thanks to the heels she had chosen for me to wear—since this was her own preferred wedding dress and shoes.

"Can we start the union?" The priest's voice brought us back to reality. Jace stepped aside while the priest recited the prayers and joined us as one.

"Do you, Clara Mason, take Jace Augustus to be your husband, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better or for worse, for richer or for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, until death do you part?"

I looked at my twin sister's fiancé's face, which was about to become my husband. If only he knew I wasn't Clara, his woman.

Jace smiled, wanting me to say "I do," as he saw how hesitant I was to say the words to him.

The priest continued, "Do you promise to love and obey him, and to be faithful to him, as long as you both shall live?"

"I do," I replied, shutting my blue eyes, unable to meet Jace's face. Then the priest asked Jace the same question: "Do you, Jace Augustus, take Clara Mason to be your wife, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better or for worse, for richer or for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, until death do you part?"

"I do," Jace replied. The priest asked him once more, "Do you promise to love and cherish her, and to be faithful to her, as long as you both shall live?"

"I do," Jace smiled, looking at me like I was his real bride. He looked genuinely happy to be wedded to me, thinking I was my twin sister.

"I now pronounce you both as man and wife. You may kiss your bride," the priest concluded after Jace and I recited our vows and wore the wedding rings.

I was hesitant to wear his ring, which symbolized love, trust, and commitment. I couldn't believe I was doing this, like I was acting in a movie as my twin sister's replacement.

Jace placed the diamond ring on my left finger. I shut my eyes as he pulled me closer and sealed his lips on mine, not caring whether I wanted to kiss him or not.

His lips claimed mine, kissing me tenderly at first, as the hall erupted in applause and well-wishers screamed "Happy married life!" to us.

Jace pulled away from the kiss after a while of kissing me fervently, and he gazed into my eyes like he already suspected I wasn't his bride.

We took pictures with his parents, who were very happy about the wedding, and with my parents, too. I stood there anxiously, taking several photos with the priest, my parents, Jace's parents, the bridesmaids, and the best man.

Lily, my sister's best friend, was the bridesmaid. I wondered if she knew I was taking Clara's place, but I was sure Clara never told anyone of her plans.

Lily hugged me excitedly and squealed, "Congratulations, Clara! I am so happy for you!"

"Thank you." We took more wedding pictures in the church, until Jace held my hand closely and kissed my lips once more.

"Come on, my wife. You don't have to act shy like this is the first time we're kissing. Let's go to our wedding reception." Jace lifted me off the ground, and I was stunned as he carried me away in that strong arms.

I wanted to tell him I was not Clara. This had to stop. Should I tell him the truth or continue acting as my sister's replacement?

I shut my eyes, inhaling Jace's cologne. He had a relaxing aroma.