“No, Dad. I can’t do this. I don’t want to. Isn’t Alegra already here?”
Aleandra was stunned the moment she arrived. Yes, she was greeted with a request that was completely beyond anyone’s expectations.
Hermawan let out a heavy sigh. “Your sister can’t do it, Alea. She, she….”
“She disappeared, sweetheart,” Nadine cut in.
“What?! Disappeared? H-how could that happen?” Aleandra was even more shocked to hear that. “We, we have to find her. Maybe she’s in trouble right now.”
Aleandra had not even had the chance to put her bag away when she started to leave, but her movement stopped after her father grabbed her arm. Aleandra turned and saw the desperation on both her parents’ faces. She knew something was wrong.
Hermawan drew a long breath, his head hanging weakly.
“There’s no time, Aleandra. If we don’t show up for that wedding right away, our family will be in danger.”
“What do you mean, Dad? Isn’t Alegra’s safety the most important thing right now?” Aleandra narrowed her eyes, looking back and forth between her parents.
“Enough, Alea. Just do as we say for now. We’ll think about that later. What matters most right now is saving our family first.”
Aleandra furrowed her brow, her chest feeling tight. But just as she was about to argue, her father’s expression changed.
“Please, sweetheart. You’re the only one who can save our family right now.”
Aleandra fell silent, her mind still struggling to process an event she had never imagined. How could she not? From the very beginning, Alegra—not her—was supposed to be the bride today. Now, everything had suddenly turned upside down.
The ballroom was bustling as more and more wedding guests filled the room. Meanwhile, a man with a chiseled jaw dressed in an ivory tuxedo sat back comfortably, enjoying a glass of champagne in his hand.
“How much longer do we have to wait?” Issac asked one of his secretaries standing beside him.
Ben lowered his head slightly before answering, “I’ll make sure, Sir.”
The man then spoke through his earpiece to his subordinates stationed in several locations. A few moments later, he nodded after receiving confirmation from them.
“Sir, according to our people, the situation in the bridal suite is rather unstable. It seems they’re having a slight problem.”
Issac let out a long sigh. “Keep monitoring it.”
“Yes, Sir.”
Issac took another sip of his drink and smirked. He looked completely relaxed, enjoying the situation.
After waiting for quite some time, the room finally fell silent, and the sound of footsteps came from the doorway. Everyone attending the event immediately turned to look.
Yes, the bride had finally appeared.
The white dress she wore draped beautifully to the floor, her face looking lovely, but the smile on her lips appeared stiff. Her steps were slow, almost hesitant, while her right hand held tightly to her father’s arm.
At the end of the altar, the groom was already standing and waiting for her. Tall and composed. He did not show even the slightest expression.
Meanwhile, her father continued escorting his daughter toward the altar. When he saw how pale her face had become, he lowered his head slightly and whispered without letting his smile fade.
“Smile. Remember, all eyes are on you.”
Aleandra swallowed, her breathing heavy. Reluctantly, the woman pulled up both corners of her mouth. A fake smile settled over her face once again.
Step by step, she drew closer to the man who would soon become her husband. Strangely, as the distance between them narrowed, such a powerful sense of unfamiliarity took hold that her chest grew even tighter.
Hermawan then released her arm and handed his daughter’s hand to the groom. Aleandra merely lowered her head, trying to calm her wildly pounding heart.
As the two of them stood side by side facing the pastor, Issac suddenly leaned closer, keeping his gaze fixed straight ahead as he whispered,
“You’re still exactly the same as before.”
Aleandra turned quickly, both eyebrows raised.
“What??”