Chapter 28 Was He The One?
The morning of the wedding came faster than Rebecca expected. It felt like she had only blinked and suddenly the whole hotel was filled with flowers, ribbons, and excited voices.
The wedding hall downstairs was being decorated with white roses and soft gold lights, and guests had already begun to arrive, taking pictures and greeting one another.
The atmosphere was bright and joyful. It was everything a wedding should be. But in Rebecca’s room, she was trembling with nerves and anxiety.
She sat in front of a large mirror, her fingers shaking slightly as Amelia helped adjust her veil. The white gown Rebecca wore was beautiful.
It was a simple, elegant, and flowing softly over her body. Though Amelia had told her countless times that she looked beautiful, Rebecca still felt her heart pounding so loudly she could hear it in her ears.
Amelia stood behind her, smiling warmly. Over the past week, they had grown close again. Their friendship had slowly been rebuilt, piece by piece, until Amelia felt like a safe place in Rebecca’s life once more.
Because of that, Amelia had naturally become her chief bridesmaid, the one person she trusted enough to stand beside her on this confusing day that was supposed to be her best day.
"It’s going to be fine," Amelia said softly as she smoothed the veil. "You look beautiful, and everything will go well. Just breathe."
Rebecca tried to smile, but the nerves were too strong. "I know… but I just can't help it. I’m just scared," she whispered. "I haven’t even seen the man I’m about to marry. Richard wouldn't let me and I'd thought I wouldn't care but, today I just found out I do."
Amelia chuckled lightly. "Well, that’s what happens when you agree to marry a stranger. But you’ll be fine. You’re strong, Becca. You’ll get through this."
Rebecca nodded slowly, even though her hands were trembling in her lap. She'd told herself this was better than marrying Ryan Perkins, after all, he'd been the one who called it off.
Still, no matter what she told herself, somehow the thought of meeting her husband for the first time on the wedding day and on the altar terrified her.
A soft knock sounded on the door. "That must be your uncle," Amelia said as she placed a hand on Rebecca’s arm. "Are you ready?"
"No," Rebecca whispered. "But I don’t have a choice."
Amelia gave her one final encouraging smile before opening the door. Richard stepped inside, dressed neatly in a dark suit, looking proud and emotional at the same time.
"You look beautiful," he said gently, his face softening as he looked at Rebecca.
"Thank you, Uncle," she replied quietly.
"It’s time," Richard said.
Rebecca stood up on shaky legs. The room suddenly felt very small, and her throat felt tight. Amelia, who was standing there, adjusted her gown one last time, checked the veil, then squeezed her hand.
"You’ve got this," Amelia whispered.
Rebecca swallowed hard and nodded. They left the room and stepped into the hotel hallway. The soft piano music from downstairs floated up faintly through the air. As they approached the staircase that led to the wedding hall, the noise of guests, laughter, and clapping grew louder.
Her heart raced faster. At the entrance of the hall, the door stood open, revealing rows of beautifully decorated chairs and excited guests turning their heads as she appeared.
People she had only met once and again during her parents funeral. The whole place fell quiet for a moment, then a gentle wave of whispers and happy sighs moved across the hall.
Rebecca’s eyes lifted toward the altar. Her groom stood with his back facing her, hands clasped behind him. He was tall, broad-shouldered, and dressed in a perfectly tailored black suit. Something about his build made a strange shiver run through her.
He looked… familiar. Almost like... She let her thoughts trail off as she frowned slightly, trying to understand the feeling, but Richard gently squeezed her arm.
"It’s okay," he whispered. "Let’s go."
They took their first step onto the aisle. Guests clapped softly as Rebecca walked forward with her uncle. Every step made her heart beat harder. Her palms were sweating underneath the bouquet she held. She focused on walking straight, not tripping, or trying to breathe.
But the closer she got, the more uneasy she felt. Why does he look familiar? Had she seen this person before? Where? Her mind raced as she tried to think about it.
About halfway down the aisle, the officiator turned slightly, signaling to the groom that the bride was near. Slowly, the groom turned to face her.
And immediately, Rebecca’s breath caught. Her steps faltered, and for a moment, everything around her, ranging from the music, the people, and to the decorations, all faded away completely.
Because standing at the altar was the man she knew to be Ryan.
The same man that had called her a weeks ago to break their deal. The same Ryan who had told her he couldn’t go through with it.
The same Ryan she had insulted before hanging up the phone.
The same man she had sworn she never wanted to see again and the father to her unborn baby.
Her eyes widened in pure shock. Her foot caught on the hem of her dress, and she almost tripped forward, but her uncle quickly steadied her with a firm grip on her arm.
Gasps came from a few guests who noticed her stumble, but Rebecca didn’t care. Her eyes were fully locked on the man waiting for her.
Ryan’s face was frozen in the same shock she felt.
She looked at him and saw how his eyes widened, his mouth slightly open, as if he, too, had not known that she was the woman he would be marrying.
His expression said everything: He also had no idea. Rebecca felt her chest tighten painfully. Her heart was racing so fast she wasn’t sure she could keep standing. Her fingers shook around her bouquet.
This was impossible. This was unbelievable. It was all just insane. Her mind screamed a thousand thoughts at once.
What was he doing here? Why was HE the one? Was he the one she was supposed to marry? How was he the man Uncle Richard chose? Did he know? Why didn’t anyone tell her?
She could barely breathe, as she moved on autopilot towards him.