Chapter 2 Chapter 2

Celine's POV.

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The following morning, I awoke in my room and went into my sister's room to prepare for the wedding.

I hadn't thought this day would arrive. I was helping my famous sister cover up for her wedding.

After my bath, I donned a long white wedding dress that swept the ground I walked on. The makeup artist arrived and painted my face with heavy makeup, and I hated to say this, but I didn't like makeup.

I sat there and allowed them to transform me into my sister's preferred wedding dress, with 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, while she was 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 gorgeous 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, and not Celine, the one who wanted to marry a pauper.

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

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

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

I hadn't sat in a Bentley before, so I was nervous. I was not my sister, who traveled from one location to another, going on vacations with her rich 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 got to the big church where the wedding was held.

I sucked in a deep breath 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, and my father held my left hand tenderly and escorted me into the church that was filled 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, attractive, dark-skinned man. Clara was so lucky to have him.

Jace was still single and a hot bachelor at 35 years old. He was not a man to mess with.

Seeing him standing close to me, my father and I finally arrived at the altar, and 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 reminded myself 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 that Jace wouldn't think otherwise as his black eyes met my blue ones for a brief moment.

I grinned wider, so Jace wouldn't think that I wasn't 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 as he stood there towering above me.

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

"Can we start the union?" the priest's voice brought us back to reality, and 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 — the man who was about to become my husband. If only he knew that I wasn't Clara, his woman.

Jace smiled, waiting for me to say "I do," because he saw that I looked hesitant.

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 because I couldn't meet Jace's gaze. 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, genuinely happy to be wedded to me, thinking I was my twin sister.

"I now pronounce you both man and wife. You may kiss your bride," the priest concluded, just as Jace and I exchanged our vows and put on the wedding rings.

I felt hesitant to wear his ring, the symbol of 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 slid the diamond ring onto my finger, and 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. Well-wishers screamed, "Happy married life!"

Jace pulled away after 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 hadn't told anyone of her plans. Lily hugged me excitedly and squealed, "Congratulations, Clara! I am so happy for you!"

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

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

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

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