CHAPTER FOUR - The Start Of My Agony

KATIE’S POV

My eyes ran over my reflection again for the umpteenth time, and my insides tightened every single time. Here I was, dressed in a beautiful flowing White gown. A gown so expensive and breathtaking.

However, the joy of putting it on wasn’t there. Unlike what I used to picture my wedding day to be like, this was nothing like it. It was either because I was getting married to an older man or because I felt wronged by my stepmother.

My thoughts slowly drifted to what she could be up to now. Probably wining and dining somewhere, living the life of a Queen. In contrast, I wallowed in pain here.

Smile, Katie. It's your wedding day.

The voice in my head mocked, and I felt my eyes sting with tears, but I knew better than to ruin my makeup.

The door let out a squeaking sound as it opened slowly, my eyes catching the reflection of the maid.

“The car is ready, Ma’am. We need to leave for the church now.” She informed, causing me to nod before taking a last glance at myself.

Smile, Katie.

It reminded me again, and I exhaled deeply, then squeezed on a smile.

Clutching onto the sides of my flowing gown, I made my way out, heading towards the car parked outside.

My eyes stung with tears, and I blinked hard to stop them from sliding out. I couldn't afford to be weak. I stepped into the car and watched it take off.

My driver looked like he was in his middle twenties, my eyes trailing over his facial features from the mirror. He had a slight smile on, and I could tell that he was happy and free.

“Congratulations, Ma.” He said, and I forced on a smile before snatching my eyes away to stare outside the window.

The church wasn't far from my husband-to-be mansion. Soon, we drove in, and he parked in a safe place.

I could hear the bell ringing so loudly, and it made my heart thump the more. My whole body shook as fear consumed every inch of me.

What if he was lying? What if this was a bad idea?

Maybe I could still take Blaze’s offer and run off.

“We are here, Ma.” He informed, and I nodded gently before pushing the door open and stepping out.

The entrance to the church opened to reveal one of the twins, his hair dyed Red. A bright smile remained glued on his lips as he closed the gap between us.

“Just about time. Father asked that I walk you in.” He informed me, and I gave him a slight nod, afraid that I might break down in tears if I spoke.

I could tell that he was Axel. He was the only one amongst the Twins that gave a fuck about anyone.

He stretched out his hand, and I took it, wrapping my palm around his. My throat suddenly went dry.

“You are shaking. You don’t have to be nervous. See it as a fashion parade, and you will be good.” He joked, laughing softly.

Family of Pyscos.

Looking at him behave as though he wasn't the reason I was in this mess made me want to lean in and scratch his insides out.

I dragged in a breath as I tried to remind myself of how good this might be for me.

The wife of a billionaire.

I tried picturing the face of my stepmother, seeing me with so much power and having her cower in fear.

We made our way forward, and the door opened from the inside to let us in. The hymn was singing in background while all heads turned backwards to stare at us.

My mouth ran dry, and I tried to gather some saliva, but all to no avail.

Maverick stood at the altar, dressed in a Blue suit with his hair neatly shaved. He turned his head towards me and sent me a smile. My heart squeezed at the thought of how he could smile, knowing these were his last days.

Trailing my eyes away from him, I searched through the empty seats. A part of me hoped that I would see one of my own, but none came, because I had no family anymore. Only his family graced the occasion.

My breath hitched the second our eyes met. Blaze. He had a mocking smirk on. He dragged his eyes away as quickly as he looked at me.

We made our way to the Altar, and Axel let go of my hand as I stood in front of Maverick. I kept asking myself why I was doing this. Why was I going on with this when I could just run? And in the end, I realized that it was because I knew that I might end up dying alone in the end.

Maybe I could get a taste of what it felt like to get married before the whole thing would end.

“Do you, Maverick Griffin take Katie as your legal wife?” The man dressed in a white robe asked.

“I do.” He responded.

The rate at which my heart beat heightened.

“Do you, Katie, take Maverick as your husband?”

Husband!

The word echoed in my head, and I realized just how heavy it meant.

Do I really want to throw them all away?

Dragging my eyes away from him, I took another look at Blaze and the thought of his offer. His lips flattened, and his face expressionless. Bringing my eyes back to Maverick, I nodded gently.

“Yes. I…do…” I stammered and heard Hunter clap aloud alongside Axel while Blaze's lips twitched.

“I pronounce husband and wife.” The man informed me, and I felt my heart squeezed tightly, the tears I had held in slowly finding their way out.

****

Throughout the drive back home, I barely said a word to my new husband despite sitting in the car with him. I kept trying to tell myself I was doing this for a good cause.

For survival.

“Congratulations, Father,” Axel said, laughing aloud as he clicked his glass against Maverick’s.

Maverick laughed, too, heartily.

“I must say that she is a good one.” He added, even though I had zero clue as to what he meant.

I could feel Blaze’s eyes penetrating through my skin, but I did my best to avoid his eyes.

“Finally, the place would feel like home again.” Axel chirped in while Maverick nodded.

A part of me wanted to leave here, run into my room, and cry myself to sleep.

“Daddy, does that mean I will get little brothers? Mama said she was going to give me one before she…” Hunter paused, his voice lowering as the memories surfaced.

“Of course, Son. Katie is your new Mama now.” Maverick responded while I clutched onto the sides of my dress tightly.

I knew what it felt like to lose a parent, but above all, I felt so bad that I wouldn't be able to fulfill the little boy’s wishes. It wasn't a risk I was willing to take.

Being a Mama was a lot of job, especially when the Father had few months left.

I heard Blaze scoff, and I titled my head his way. A frown etched on his face.

“Funny how you think she can replace Mother.” He said, his eyes running over her, consumed with hate.

“Blaze…” Maverick called out.

“Let me talk, Father.” He responded, adding an emphasis on the last word in a mocking manner before turning towards me. “I don’t know what they told you, and I don't care. But one thing I know is that you can never be able to fill her space. All you will ever be is a substitute. A clueless girl with nowhere to go.” He said in an impolite tone and immediately pushed his chair backward, then walked out of the room.

Every single word he said punctured my heart like a sharp sword because deep down, I knew he was right.

I was just a clueless girl who had no one.