Chapter 1 The Sudden Wedding
The crystal chandeliers in the Grand Gold Hotel ballroom shone brilliantly, yet the atmosphere inside the bridal dressing room was icy cold. Zavian Nathaniel stood with his hands tucked into the pockets of his expensive slacks. His face was flushed, his jaw clenched as he stared at the married couple in front of him.
“The ceremony starts in two hours, and your daughter has disappeared?” Zavian’s voice was low, each word pressed with a threatening weight.
“We are truly sorry, Mr. Zavian. We’ve tried contacting Selena, but her phone is turned off,” Edwin, Selena’s father, replied with a trembling voice.
Zavian let out a cold, mocking chuckle. “Apologies won’t cover my losses. This venue, the catering, the decorations, and the business associates who will be attending are worth billions of rupiah. The Nathaniel family name will not become a laughingstock because the bride ran away.”
Vinie, Selena’s mother, clenched her handkerchief until her fingernails turned white. She glanced toward the door, then back at her husband. Fear of debt and legal consequences sent her thoughts spinning.
Suddenly, the door opened. A young woman in a worn T-shirt and jeans stepped inside, carrying several boxes of wedding souvenirs. It was Alice, Vinie’s niece, who had been helping with the wedding preparations.
“Auntie, the extra souvenirs have arrived,” Alice said innocently.
Vinie looked Alice up and down, from head to toe. A crazy idea sparked in her mind. She rushed over and grabbed Alice’s arm tightly.
“Alice, you have to help your aunt,” Vinie whispered sharply.
“Help with what, Auntie? I was just going to put these souvenirs…”
“Replace Selena. Put on her gown, now!”
Alice’s eyes flew open. She laughed awkwardly, thinking it was a stress-fueled joke. “You’re joking, right? I’m not Selena. I haven’t even finished my college re-enrollment yet.”
“There’s no time for college,” Vinie snapped. She turned to Zavian. “Mr. Zavian, this is Alice, my niece. She’s young, pretty, and she will replace Selena today. The wedding will go on.”
Zavian narrowed his eyes, assessing Alice. “Anyone will do, as long as there’s a woman standing beside my son at the altar. But remember, if there’s another problem, I won’t hesitate to destroy all of you.” He left the room, slamming the door behind him.
Alice stumbled back a few steps, her heart pounding. “No, Auntie. I don’t want this. I got a scholarship to Harvard University. Orientation starts next week. I don’t even know who Evander is!”
“Alice, listen to me,” Vinie said, gripping Alice’s shoulders roughly. “Selena has run off who knows where. If you refuse, our family will bear all the consequences. We’ll have to pay billions to the Nathaniel family. Where do you think we’ll get that kind of money? Do you want to see your uncle and me thrown into prison?”
“But this is my life,” Alice protested, tears welling in her eyes. “Why should I take responsibility for Selena’s mistake?”
“Because you owe us,” Vinie shouted. “Who paid for your schooling after your parents died? We did. Now it’s time for you to repay us. Put on the gown, or get out of this house with nothing, and forget about college.”
Alice fell silent. The world seemed to crumble beneath her feet. Her dream of becoming an architect, the scholarship she had fought for by studying until dawn, all of it felt like it was evaporating.
Two makeup artists entered forcefully and seated Alice in a chair. They began applying makeup to her pale face. Vinie stayed close, making sure Alice had no chance to run.
Alice could only stare blankly at her reflection in the mirror. No. This is a nightmare. Just like that, today I’m marrying someone I don’t even know.
Vinie stepped closer, watching Alice through the mirror, then leaned in slightly. “Remember this, Alice. You must look happy at the altar later. Don’t wear that gloomy face.”
After saying that, Vinie left the room. Alice could only let out a quiet, bitter breath as she mourned her fate.
An hour later, Alice was wrapped in a stunning white wedding gown. To her, it felt like a prison uniform. A thin veil covered part of her face.
The door opened. A man in a black tuxedo walked in. He was tall, broad-shouldered, devastatingly handsome, and utterly expressionless. He was Evander Nathaniel.
Evan looked at Alice through the mirror. He stepped closer, stopping directly behind her. The sharp scent of his masculine cologne invaded her senses.
“So, you’re the replacement?” His voice was cold, devoid of even a hint of affection.
Alice gathered her courage and met his eyes through the mirror. “I was forced. I didn’t want this.”
Evan smirked, a look of pure disdain. He leaned down and whispered into Alice’s ear, sending a chill down her spine.
“Same here. I don’t care who’s standing there. But don’t expect this marriage to turn into a fairy tale for you.”
Alice clenched her trembling hands beneath the beautiful gown. “I just want to continue my education. Once this is over, I’ll leave.”
Evan straightened, casually adjusting his tie. He stared toward the door, as if this wedding were nothing more than a dull business meeting.
“Leave?” He looked back at Alice, his gaze now sharp and intimidating.
He leaned in and gripped her cheeks, forcing her lips into a small pout. His eyes locked onto hers. “Listen, little girl. The moment you say your vows before the priest, you no longer belong to yourself. You become an asset of the Nathaniel family.”
Alice shook her head slowly. “I’m not an object. I have a commitment to my university. I will continue my studies even if I marry you.”
Evan released her face roughly, making her flinch. He walked toward the door, then paused and glanced back at her with an icy stare.
“You think I’ll let my wife wander around a campus like an ordinary person?”
Alice stood up from her chair, her voice trembling but firm. “That’s my condition. I’ll replace Selena, as long as you don’t forbid me from going to college.”
Evan was silent for a moment. Then he stepped back toward Alice until only inches separated them. He lifted her veil slightly and stared straight into her eyes, filled with fear and defiance.
“You want to negotiate with me on our wedding day?” he asked in a low, dangerous tone.
“Yes,” Alice answered recklessly.
Evan grasped her chin, forcing her to keep looking at him. A faint, unreadable smile curved his lips.
“Fine. You can go to college, but there’s one condition you cannot refuse.”
Alice swallowed hard. “What is it?”
Evan leaned in until their breaths mingled. “Starting tonight, don’t ever dream of leaving our bridal suite without my permission.”
