Chapter 6

Abigail’s POV

My mind raced with questions and emotions as I stared at the man claiming to be my husband to be. Elijah Wright. The name echoed in my head, but I couldn't reconcile it with the stranger standing before me. His eyes, his smile, his voice, everything didn’t seem familiar, but to him he claims he knows me.

"You're...you're joking, right?" I stuttered, my voice low.

Elijah's smile faltered for a moment, but he quickly regained his composure.

"I'm afraid not, Abigail." he said, his voice low and husky.

"I know this may come as a shock to you, but I assure you, I am who I say I am."

I felt like I was living in a dream. My heart raced, my palms sweated, and my mind reeled with the implications of his words.

"But...but how?" I stammered, my eyes searching his face for answers. "We've never met before. I don't know you."

Elijah took a step closer, his eyes locked onto mine. "Well, I know you. We have met before, and honestly, to me, it was love at first sight."

Zoey scoffed, "What a bull load of crap!"

"Zoey, stop it!" Liam warned her, as she crossed her arms, watching me and Elijah talk.

"What? I need to know if he's the Elijah Lester Wright that I was supposed to marry. I mean, according to what I found out, Elijah wasn't this handsome," Zoey said, her eyes narrowing.

Elijah smiled, bowing his head, and then raised it, turning to Zoey. "Well, as the saying goes, 'Never judge a book by its cover, but get to know the content first.'"

Zoey's face changed from embarrassment to anger. "Why didn't you tell me you were Elijah? I would have -"

"You would have what, Zoey?" I cut her off, my voice firm. "Married him?" I asked, my eyes locked onto hers, daring her to speak the truth.

"Yes. I wouldn't have—" Zoey started, her voice filled with malice.

"Slept with my boyfriend to escape marrying him?" I cut her off again, my words dripping with venom.

"And humiliated me in front of our family and friends?"

Zoey's face turned red with rage, but before she could respond, Elijah stepped in.

"That's enough, Zoey. Your jealousy and deceit are not welcome here."

Liam, who had been watching the exchange, finally spoke up. "Zoey, you need to calm down and stop causing trouble."

But Zoey was beyond reason.

"You think you're so perfect, Abigail?

You think you're better than me? Well, newsflash, you're not! You're just a naive little girl who can't even see when someone is using her!"

"Enough, Zoey!"

Elijah's voice was firm and authoritative, silencing Zoey's actions. "You're not going to stand here and talk to Abigail like that.

She deserves respect, and I won't let you continue to hurt her."

Zoey's face twisted in anger, but she seemed to realize she was outnumbered. With a huff, she turned and stormed out of the chapel, leaving an uncomfortable silence in her wake.

Liam sighed and shook his head.

"I apologize for her behavior, Abigail. Zoey's always been a bit...prickly."

I nodded,

“Just keep her under control, Liam.”

Elijah's eyes never left mine, his look piercing and intense. I felt like he was trying to see into my soul, to understand my thoughts and feelings.

I took a deep breath and tried to compose myself, my heart still racing from the shock of his revelation.

"Well, I suppose we should get on with the ceremony," the priest said, his voice breaking the silence.

"If the bride and groom are ready?"

I nodded, my eyes still locked on Elijah's. I couldn't believe what was happening.

Was I really going to marry this man, this stranger who seemed to know me so intimately?

Elijah smiled, his eyes crinkling at the corners. "I'm ready," he said, his voice low and husky.

"I've been waiting for this moment for a long time, Abigail."

I felt a chill when he took my hand. His grip was tight, and I couldn't pull away. I couldn't look away from his intense stare.

The priest began to speak, his words a blur as I tried to process what was happening.

Elijah's grip on my hand tightened, and he pulled me closer to him. I felt like I was in a trance, unable to move or speak.

"Do you, Abigail, take Elijah to be your husband?"

I hesitated, my mind racing with doubts and fears. Elijah's eyes never left mine, his eyes burning with intensity.

My stepmother, Nora, gave me a threatening look, her eyes flashing with anger. I knew she wanted me to go through with the ceremony, no matter what.

I took a deep breath and tried to speak, but my voice I couldn’t utter any words.

"Yes."

I whispered finally, my voice low.

Elijah’s face lit up with a smile, as he pulled me closer to himself again.

"I now pronounce you husband and wife," the priest said, his voice booming through the chapel.

"You may kiss the bride."

Elijah's eyes locked onto mine, and I felt my heart skipped a beat in my chest.

His lips inches from mine.

I moved away a bit, but his hand held me by the waist which made my heart raced.

I stared into his eyes and saw something in his eyes, something that looked like love and adoration.

Before I knew it, our lips came together in a warm kiss. It was like the whole world had melted away, and all that was left was Elijah and me.

The chapel erupted in cheers and applause, and I felt like I was floating on air.

The priest's voice brought me back to reality.

"Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome Mr. and Mrs. Elijah Lester Wright!"

I felt a rush of emotions as Elijah held my hand. I was married to a stranger, a man who claimed to know me better than I knew myself.

I looked around and saw smiles everywhere. But no one could see that I wasn’t happy and was forced into a loveless marriage with a stranger who claims he knows me.

Just then my eyes landed on a figure standing in the doorway. At first, I thought it was just a guest who had arrived late, bu as the cheers and applause continued, the figure didn’t move or speak.

It just stood there, watching us with an intensity that made my skin crawl.

I tried to see the person’s face, but it was impossible. The person then moved and walked out of the chapel. Who could this person be?