Chapter 3 Married to a Lie
The bridesmaid couldn’t take it anymore and shoved Stellan. “Stellan, are you out of your damn mind? You’re the groom today! You’re the one marrying Lyra! You keep jumping to defend your precious Rowena–if she’s that important to you, why didn’t you just marry her instead?”
Stellan exploded. “Who do you think you are? You have no right to butt into my family’s business.”
I threw the torn dress into his arms. “Why are you yelling at my friend? If you’ve got so much energy to worry about Rowena, maybe start worrying about our wedding and how we’re supposed to move forward from here!”
Right then, Rowena walked in too. “Stellan, today’s your wedding. Don’t let me come between you two and ruin the day.”
With that, Rowena smoothed a hand over his chest and turned to me with a sickeningly sweet voice. “Lyra, it’s your big day. Don’t make a fuss, just be understanding.”
I was so furious my vision literally blurred. “Rowena, this is my wedding! Can you not make everything about you for once?”
Rowena bit her lip like she was about to cry. “Lyra, did I do something wrong? I’m trying to help, and now you’re yelling at me like I did
something terrible.”
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‘God, what a performance. Bitch!.‘
Stellan, seeing her poor–me act, immediately stepped in front of her like a shield. “Lyra! That’s enough! Apologize to Rowena right now!”
came
A staff member from the wedding team running back, holding a phone. “Ms. Merri, we found out who cut your dress.”
She glanced nervously at Rowena, then hesitated before handing the phone to me.
On the screen, Rowena was clearly holding a pair of scissors, aggressively slashing my dress into ribbons.
My hands started to shake as I stared at the footage. “Why did you do this to my dress?”
I shoved the phone into Stellan’s face. “Look at what she did! She ruined it on purpose!”
Stellan took the phone, watched for a few seconds, his brows slowly tightening.
For a second, I actually thought Stellan might stand up for me. But then he clicked the screen off and said flatly, “I thought it was something serious. It’s just a dress. No big deal. You don’t have one? Then don’t change.”
I stood there stunned. “Stellan! Are you serious right now? This is our
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wedding! Rowena destroyed my dress!”
Stellan said every word slowly and clearly. “The dress is ruined. Just wear something else. What, you want her to apologize or something?”
I hurled the shredded dress to the floor and stomped on it hard. “I’m done. I’m not doing this wedding!”
Elysia pushed the door open at that moment, annoyed. “Why aren’t you out doing the toasts? What’s taking so long?”
Elysia saw the destroyed dress at my feet and immediately jumped in to scold me. “Lyra! I’ve always thought you were a reasonable girl. What’s this tantrum? Why are you stepping on the dress like that?”
“Perfect timing, Mom,” I said. “Maybe you can explain why your favorite daughter–in–law cut up my dress. How am I supposed to go back out there like this? Why would she do something like that?”
Elysia glanced at Rowena, then at me, and let out a long sigh. “Lyra, you and Stellan are married now–you’re one of us. I think… it’s time we told you the truth.”
Stellan stepped in quickly. “Mom, are you seriously bringing this up now? I told you–I’d take care of it after the wedding. It wouldn’t be fair to Lyra if she found out today.”
Elysia raised her voice. “It’s good you remember. Your brother didn’t leave. behind any children. That family name won’t carry itself. You need to
Chapter 3 Mared to a Lie
help take care of that.”
Rowena batted her lashes and said sweetly, “Stellan, I understand. No. matter how long it takes, I’ll wait for you.”
I stood there like I was watching the most insane scene in some twisted soap opera. None of them were making any sense. “What are you even talking about?” I asked.
Elysia wiped the corners of her eyes, looking mournful. “Lyra, your brother–in–law passed so suddenly. He didn’t have any kids. And in our family, we have a tradition. If a man dies without children, someone in the family needs to help carry on the legacy.”
I blinked hard. “Wait. What? Are you saying you want Stellan to… have a baby with Rowena?”
Elysia grabbed my hand, eyes full of faux sincerity. “I know it’s asking at lot. But I can’t bear to think of his legacy dying out. All I’m asking is for Stellan to give Rowena a child, just once. After that, it’s done. He’ll still be with you.”
I actually laughed from how absurd it all was. “You’re kidding me. This is real life, not some ridiculous novel.”
Elysia pressed on like she was giving some heartfelt wisdom. “I wanted. this done last year, but Stellan insisted on getting married first. He said it wouldn’t be fair to you otherwise. He wanted to make it official with your before helping Rowena.”
Chapter 3
Stellan looked me in the eye like he was making some solemn vow. “Lyra, I swear. Once she has a child, it’ll all be over. She’s been through a lot. I just want to be there for her, and I hope you’ll support me in that. Support
us.”
I honestly wanted to crack all three of their skulls open just to see what kind of garbage they had for brains.
It’s 2025. This woman actually thought her younger son should help his late brother “continue the family line.” Rowena, the widowed sister–in- law, wasn’t even trying to hide it–she was just standing there, waiting to sleep with her unmarried brother–in–law.”
‘And Stellan? Talking like he respected me, then turning around and agreeing to give Rowena a baby–he cared more about her than the woman he just married.”
This level of insanity had my brain short–circuiting. They didn’t tell me any of this while we were dating. Now, during the actual wedding, they drop this? This wasn’t just betrayal–it was fraud.
Was
I thought I’d be the one throwing things and screaming, but somehow I
eerily calm. I even smiled. “Since the ceremony’s still going on, why don’t we finish the wedding first?”
Elysia nodded quickly. “Yes, yes! I knew you were mature and thoughtful. You’re the perfect daughter–in–law. Go on, both of you–get back out there and finish the toasts.”
I sighed, pretending to be conflicted. “But I don’t have a dress. The train.
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on this wedding gown is way too long for mingling.”
Stellan, clearly annoyed, asked, “So what do you want to do?”
I glanced over at Rowena, smug and glowing in her perfectly intact outfit. “Rowena’s dressed nicely today. Why don’t you take her with you instead? Have her walk around and entertain the guests.”
