Wedding

Ellen sat in the bridal waiting room, surrounded by an air of anticipation. She gazed at herself in the mirror, adorned in a breathtaking wedding gown that accentuated her every feature. Her hair was meticulously styled, and in her hands, she held a delicate bouquet of flowers.

The day she had dreaded had finally arrived. There was no escaping this wedding, not when Mason Coldwell had given the Winters family the authority to arrange every detail. 

Beside her, Colleen, dressed in a lovely maid of honour's gown, beamed with excitement. She admired Ellen with genuine awe, acknowledging the beauty that had transformed her sister into a stunning bride. "Ellen, you look absolutely stunning. I can't believe you're really getting married today," Colleen exclaimed, her eyes reflecting genuine amazement.

"I can't believe it either," Ellen replied with a mix of surprise and contemplation. She stared at her reflection, struggling to reconcile the beautiful bride before her with the girl who had only recently been plotting how to alter her impending fate.

As she stood there, Ellen couldn't help but marvel at the stark contrast between her present reality and the everyday struggles of her past. In her previous life, the notion of getting married had been a distant thought, overshadowed by the pressing concern of meeting her basic needs. 

Their father entered the room, a proud smile on his face as he saw Ellen in her bridal glory. "It's time, Ellen," he declared, prompting Colleen to pick up her own bouquet. Before leaving the room, she turned to Ellen with a smile, "Good luck, sis."

As Ellen stood up, her father approached with a warm smile. "You look so beautiful, Ellen. I wish your mother could see you today," he said with a hint of nostalgia.

Ellen smiled back, acknowledging the bittersweetness of the moment. Her father continued, "You won't regret marrying Mason. He's a good man, and I believe this union will bring happiness to both of you."

Internally, Ellen grappled with her father's words. The weight of the impending marriage, a union she had never anticipated, pressed upon her. She knew the challenges that lay ahead, and as she made her way toward the ceremony, she couldn't help but wonder how her carefully devised plan would unfold.

Leaving the bride's waiting room behind, Ellen and her father emerged into the corridor, awaiting their turn to walk down the aisle. When their moment arrived, her father asked, "Are you ready, Ellen?" She nodded, and they began their slow procession, stepping into the spotlight as the eyes of the guests fixated on the radiant bride.

Ellen couldn't deny the nerves that fluttered within her. The unfamiliarity of being the center of attention left her feeling exposed. As they approached the end of the aisle, Ellen strained to catch sight of her soon-to-be husband. Mason Coldwell, dressed in a sleek black tuxedo, stood with an air of quiet confidence. The moment, seemingly frozen in time, was a departure from the novel's narrative where Ellen first encountered Mason at the wedding altar and fell instantly in love.

In her internal mantra, Ellen reminded herself of her true identity–Ellen Summers, not Ellen Winters. She sternly repeated that there could be no love for Mason Coldwell, emphasizing the disparity between the fictional character in the novel and her.

However, the reality of the situation struck her when her father stopped in their tracks. Pausing beside Mason, her father spoke, "Take care of my daughter." He placed Ellen's hand in Mason's, a symbolic gesture marking the transfer of responsibility. The gravity of the moment settled on her as she stood face to face with Mason Coldwell.

Their eyes locked, and Ellen's senses seemed to dissolve as her heartbeat echoed in her ears. The mantra she had rehearsed so diligently faded into the background, overshadowed by a strange feeling she couldn't ignore. The strange fluttering in her heart defied logic, challenging the boundaries she had set.

Internally, Ellen cursed the crazy writer of this narrative who had designed Mason Coldwell to be the epitome of perfection. Why did the male lead have to be this irresistible? The ceremony pressed on, forcing Ellen to suppress the rising turmoil within her.

As they exchanged vows, the air thickened with solemn promises. Mason's words, delivered with sincerity, resonated with the audience. Ellen, too, spoke her vows, grateful for the wonders of the internet, had crafted her vows meticulously.

The climactic moment arrived with a quick yet profound kiss as the groom finally kissed his bride. Mason's lips met Ellen's in a fleeting moment with the applause of the audience, the flash of cameras capturing the essence of the moment–it was a scene straight out of a fairy tale, or in Ellen's case, a plotline she never signed up for.

The transition to the reception was marked by a change in atmosphere. The solemnity of the ceremony gave way to the lively hum of celebration. Ellen, now officially Mrs. Coldwell, navigated the reception with a forced smile. The guests congratulated the newlyweds, and Ellen responded graciously as she looked around as if expecting someone.

Amidst the well-wishers emerged a striking figure–a beautiful woman, elegantly dressed in a lavender flowing gown that accentuated her grace. Her smile, though genuine, carried a hint of sadness, and Ellen couldn't help but notice a subtle tremor in her hands as she shook their hands. Ellen's intuition whispered to her, could this be...

"Thank you, Aubrey," Mason said. Her suspicions were confirmed. It was indeed Aubrey Jones, the central character destined to complicate the narrative of her marriage.

As the congratulations flowed, Ellen couldn't help but marvel at Aubrey's poise. Ellen couldn't deny that Aubrey was something truly remarkable. Not many could muster the strength to witness an ex-lover getting married, let alone offer a congratulations.

At that moment, Ellen couldn't help but acknowledge the undeniable beauty of Aubrey. Her features were striking, a visual embodiment of what a female lead should be in a romantic tale.

However, Ellen, determined not to be disheartened, held her ground. Beauty alone had not proven enough to make Mason stay at her side.

"Thank you so much," Ellen said, her eyes meeting Aubrey's. She then hugged Mason's arm. In response, Aubrey's expression betrayed a flicker of discontent. She didn't look really happy about the skinship.

Feeling the tension in the air, Ellen decided to take a bold step. Instead of releasing her hold on Mason's arm, she subtly strengthened her grip. Her eyes locked with Aubrey's, silently vowing to alter the course of the storyline.