chapter 6

Liam's grand entrance sparked a collective gasp from the audience. His chiseled features, piercing blue eyes, and dashing smile left young, beautiful girls, including Anna's friends, weak in the knees. Bella and Sophia exchanged envious glances, their eyes fixed on Liam's broad shoulders and tailored tuxedo.

As the Master of Ceremony began the proceedings, Tonia was called to walk down the aisle. She rose from her seat, her heart heavy with mixed emotions. She thought to herself, "If only my mom could be here to witness this moment, fake as it may be. She would have been so happy to see her 22-year-old daughter getting married."

As Tonia walked alone towards the altar, whispers and side talks circulated among the guests. "Where are her parents?" "Why is she walking alone?" The murmurs were laced with curiosity and sympathy.

Tonia's eyes met Liam's, but her heart wasn't filled with love or excitement. Instead, it was clouded with sadness, longing, and a hint of resentment. She wondered how her life would change from this day forward, trapped in a loveless marriage.

Liam, on the other hand, flashed a charming smile, but it was a facade. He was faking it for his family's sake, especially his aunts and uncles, who were watching with keen eyes. He didn't want them to suspect that this marriage was a sham.

As Tonia reached the altar, Liam's smile faltered for a moment, revealing a glimpse of his true emotions. But he quickly recovered, his expression turning back to a bright, artificial grin. Tonia noticed the flicker of insincerity, but her heart was too preoccupied with its own turmoil to dwell on it.

The Master of Ceremony continued, oblivious to the undercurrents of tension and pretence. "Dear friends and family, welcome! Today, we gather to witness the union of Liam and Tonia in holy matrimony..."

As Tonia and Liam exchanged their marriage vows, Anna's excitement was palpable. She beamed with joy, her eyes shining with happiness. However, her friends, particularly Bella, noticed Anna's enthusiasm and tried to temper it.

"Anna, are you sure you're not getting too attached?" Bella whispered. "I mean, Tonia is just your brother's wife. You barely know her."

Anna's expression turned stern, and she immediately stopped Bella. "Tonia is more than just my brother's wife. She's a sister I never had. From the moment we met, I felt like we've known each other for a lifetime. I'm grateful to God for bringing her into my life through Liam."

Sophia, another friend, chimed in, "But Anna, you're being too quick to trust her. You don't know her past or her intentions."

Anna's response was firm. "I don't need to know her past to see the goodness in her heart. Tonia is kind, genuine, and beautiful inside out. I'm honored to call her my sister."

As the ceremony continued, Anna's friends exchanged skeptical glances, but Anna's mind was made up. She had found a true friend and sister in Tonia, and nothing would change that.

Meanwhile, Tonia and Liam exchanged their vows, their voices steady and calm. But beneath the surface, Tonia's heart still wrestled with emotions, and Liam's smile remained a carefully crafted facade. Little did they know, their lives were about to become intertwined in ways they never expected.

As the evening wore on, Liam took Tonia's hand, leading her through the crowds of guests to meet his extended family. They approached his uncle and aunts, who were standing in a circle, sipping champagne and laughing. But as soon as they saw Tonia, their smiles faltered, and they exchanged uneasy glances.

Liam's uncle, a portly man with a thick beard, stepped forward, his eyes narrowing slightly as he took in Tonia's appearance. "Ah, Tonia, lovely to meet you, my dear," he said, his tone measured and cautious.

Tonia felt a shiver run down her spine as she shook his hand. There was something strange about the way he looked at her, something that made her feel like an insect under a microscope.

Liam's aunts, two women with pinched faces and cold eyes, greeted her with stiff smiles. They asked her questions about herself, but their tone was laced with suspicion, their eyes darting towards Liam as if seeking permission.

Tonia sensed that they were intimidated by Liam, aware of his reputation and power. They didn't dare ask probing questions, fearing his wrath.

As they chatted, Tonia couldn't shake off the feeling that something was off. Liam's relatives seemed to be hiding something, their smiles and laughter a thin veil for their true feelings.

After introducing Tonia to his uncle and aunts, Liam excused himself to greet his business colleagues, leaving Tonia alone amidst the sea of unfamiliar faces. She felt a pang of anxiety, unsure of how to navigate this new world without Liam by her side.

Just then, Liam's grandparents approached her, their faces etched with concern. "Dear, we couldn't help but notice that your parents aren't here," his grandmother said, her voice gentle. "Is everything okay?"

Tonia hesitated, unsure of how much to reveal. But something about their kind eyes and warm smiles put her at ease. She took a deep breath and whispered, "My mom is unconscious after a kidney transplant. And my dad...he's never been in the picture. He's forgotten about me and my mom."

Tonia's voice cracked as she spoke, tears welling up in her eyes. But Liam's grandparents didn't flinch. Instead, they enveloped her in a warm embrace, their faces filled with compassion.

"Oh, dear, we're so sorry," his grandmother whispered, stroking Tonia's hair. "You're not alone anymore. We're here for you, always."

His grandfather nodded in agreement. "You're part of our family now, Tonia. We'll take care of you, no matter what."

Tonia felt a lump form in her throat as she hugged them back, tears streaming down her face. For the first time in her life, she felt like she had found a sense of belonging, of being part of something bigger than herself.

But as she pulled back, she couldn't help but think of Liam, who was the opposite of his grandparents. He was cold, calculating, and only cared about himself. Tonia knew that their marriage was a sham, a business arrangement with no love or affection.

Despite this, Tonia promised herself to enjoy the time with Liam's grandparents and sister, Anna, before the fake marriage came to an end. She knew it wouldn't last forever, but for now, she was content to bask in their warmth and kindness.

As she smiled through her tears, Liam's grandparents handed her a handkerchief to wipe her eyes. "Don't worry, dear," his grandmother said. "We'll always be here for you, no matter what happens."

As the evening unfolded, Tonia was astonished by the opulence surrounding her. High dignitaries, business magnates, and celebrities mingled with ease, their conversations laced with power and influence. She felt like a small fish in a vast ocean, but Liam's presence kept her grounded.

Determined to keep her cool, Tonia navigated the complex web of relationships and conversations with poise, her mind racing to absorb the sheer scale of Liam's world. Little did she know, this was only the beginning of her journey into the unknown.

The reception was a whirlwind of champagne toasts and fine dining, with Tonia struggling to keep up with the names and faces. But Liam was always by her side, his hand on the small of her back, guiding her through the crowds.

As the night wore on, Tonia began to feel like she was living in a dream, a fairy tale where she was the unlikely princess. But she knew that this world was far from perfect, that beneath the surface lay secrets and lies, power struggles and hidden agendas.

And yet, she couldn't help but feel drawn to it, to the luxury and glamour, the sense of belonging to something bigger than herself. She was torn between her old life and this new one, unsure of which path to take.

As the evening drew to a close, Liam's grandparents approached her once more, their eyes filled with warmth and kindness. "We're so glad you're part of our family, Tonia," his grandmother said, her voice barely above a whisper. "We'll do everything in our power to protect you."

Tonia smiled, feeling a sense of gratitude towards them. They were the only ones who seemed to genuinely care for her, who didn't see her as a pawn in their game of power and influence.

As she looked around the room, Tonia knew that she had a long way to go, that this was only the beginning of her journey into the unknown.