Isla's POV
Walking down the aisle was one of the most epic and significant walks of my life. I felt proud and totally loved as I walked toward the altar. Next to me was the man who had held my hand for a short while but my heart forever. The man who knew what I needed before I even asked him. That man who did not tell me how to live, instead he lived and let me watch him do it. He protected me, became my shield, and took great care of me. He gave me so much that I didn't really feel the absence of my mother.
I let my eyes roam toward the guests who were beaming at me. I smiled at them; everything seemed to go in slow motion. I wanted to see everyone and everything, I didn't want to rush, since this would be a core memory.
The church was mostly decorated with rose flowers. In the front row was my future family. They were looking at me with pure happiness, and I flashed a smile at them. I heard my favorite song, "A Thousand Years," playing. Everything was perfect.
I finally fixed my gaze on the most handsome man in the world. The man who had stolen my heart completely, my husband-to-be, Landon. My very first and last love. It had been love at first sight for me. I met him at a party and just knew. Since then, I had admired and loved him secretly. Even though he told me to refuse my father's proposal for us to get married, I just couldn't do it. Aside from the fact that I wanted him, I could not say no to my father due to the amount of pressure he put on me. I had no idea why Landon told me to say no to this wedding, but I was fully ready to become a wife and perform my duties as such. I would do everything a wife should do for her husband without a second thought.
My love for him kept increasing with each passing day. I guess it was time to finally express my emotions. I planned to confess my feelings to him once the wedding ceremony was over.
My train of thought was lost when I heard my father's voice. "I'm giving you my most valuable treasure, son. Please cherish and take care of her."
I waited for a response from Landon, but he didn't say anything. I was also disappointed when he didn't take my hand. I glanced up at him and saw him looking straight ahead with a clenched jaw and fists. My heart sank. Something was wrong.
I ignored the sinking feeling and took my position in front of him. He looked so beautiful, his cologne nearly intoxicating. He was tall and muscular, while I looked like a petite little girl in front of him. He had that kind of face that always made people stop and look twice. His eyes were the blue of every dancing sky, infinite hues illuminated by newborn light, his black waves perfectly combed to one side. He was the physical manifestation of every girl's fantasy. I was so lost in him that I almost missed what the priest was saying.
"Do you, Miss Isla-Mae Farrington, take Landon Aldridge to be your husband, to love and to cherish, in sickness and in health, as long as you both shall live?"
I gazed up at him, smiling, and it broke my heart again that he wasn't looking at me. I decided to pay no attention to that. It was our wedding day; he was probably tired from all the stress of the preparations.
I smiled and happily said, "I do."
The priest asked him the same, and he shut his eyes, responding without hesitation through gritted teeth. "I do."
"I now pronounce you man and wife. You may kiss your bride."
This was the moment I had been waiting for, for so long. My heart pounded in my chest in anticipation. He bent down and took my lips in his like we were at war and he was trying to hurt me. The kiss was so rough and angry, I winced in pain, and he let go. I dared a look at my dad in hopes that he didn't see the kiss.
For the first time, I asked myself the question I had been trying so hard to avoid. Was this marriage a mistake?
Landon's POV
Ever since she arrived, I never once looked at her. I felt disgusted with myself for even being here. This was betrayal to the love of my life, Hailey. I should be standing at the altar with her next to me instead of this freaking gold-digging opportunist. She should be here, in the wedding dress, smiling at me. I had no idea why my dad chose Isla as my bride, but this girl, she would never replace my Hailey.
I remembered how distraught Hailey was when she found out I was getting married to another woman. She was heartbroken and felt betrayed, but I was left with no choice but to marry this woman standing in front of me. If I had refused, he would have willed all his properties to my younger brother Theo. That was why I asked Isla to freaking say no to this wedding. That way, I'd get to keep my properties because it wouldn't be my fault that the marriage didn't take place. My father would be disappointed, but at least not in me. She didn't, and now she was standing in front of me, smiling. I always knew she was naïve, but I never realized how desperate she was to get married until now. I just wished I could wipe that smile off her face.
"You may now kiss your bride." My thoughts were interrupted by the priest's words.
I glared at her. Her eyes were round with anticipation and sparkled with childish softness and innocence. For a second, I was lost in her innocent hazel eyes. They were a radiant brown, sun-warmed with inner gold. I quickly averted my gaze. No way in hell would I be attracted to the gold-digging bitch who had ruined my life. She would most definitely pay for it.
I closed my eyes and kissed her harshly. I tightened my grip on her arm, and she winced in pain. Good. She deserved to go through the same pain I was feeling right now.
She had not the slightest idea what she had just signed up for. She would now get to see the other side of me, the side that was exposed only to my enemies. Unfortunately for her, she had now become one. I promised to make her regret this decision for the rest of her life because my hatred for her knew no bounds.