Chapter 3
The following day. Aliana stood in front of the full–length mirror in the dressing room. The ivory–white wedding gown wrapped around her body felt loose in several places, even after being altered. It was Alicia’s dress–designed for her sister’s slightly fuller figure.
Aliana let out a quiet sigh. Their faces may have been identical, but details like this always reminded her that they were two very different people.
Her mind drifted back to Alicia’s funeral the day before. She remembered how grand the ceremony had been–more like a public performance than a sincere expression of grief. What stuck with Aliana the most was the glaring absence of Andrian Velor, the man who was supposed to marry Alicia that very day. To Aliana, his absence was further proof that he never truly cared for her sister.
The dressing room door opened. Ethan entered in a crisp dark suit, a faint smile on his face. He tried to appear calm, but tension clung to him like a second skin
“The ceremony is ready to begin,” Ethan said, extending a hand. “Let’s go.”
Aliana stared at his hand for a moment before finally taking it.
With graceful steps, she walked beside Ethan toward the grand hall where the wedding was to take place. The room was filled with quests–top businessmen, politicians, and other influential figures–gathered to witness the union of the Zavier and Velor families
As the wedding march began, Aliana walked down the aisle toward the altar, where Andrian stood with his back to her. His posture was erect, his black suit tailored to perfection, exuding cold, polished precision. Aliana gripped the bouquet tightly in her hands, struggling to suppress the storm of emotions rising within her.
As she moved forward, her thoughts returned to the state of Alicia’s body when it was found–unrecognizable, destroyed in a car explosion after plunging off a cliff. Alicia had chosen death to escape her pain. And now, Aliana stood in her place, trying to finish what her sister left behind.
When Aliana reached the altar, Andrian turned to face her. His sharp eyes stared directly at her–cold and calculating. For a moment, Aliana felt like she was being sized up by a predator.
“You really are identical,” Andrian sneered. “But it doesn’t matter whether it’s Alicia or Aliana standing here. All that matters is getting this marriage over with.”
Aliana clenched her jaw, keeping her expression neutral. Her piercing gaze held steady on Andrian, resisting the urge to strike him right. then and there. His arrogance and indifference only fueled her growing suspicion that he may have played a role in Alicia’s death.
Then let’s get it over with, Aliana replied coldly.
The ceremony was brief and emotionless–more a business contract than a union of souls. The vows were exchanged flatly, Andrian sounding nearly bored. When the marriage was finally declared official, the guests applauded, but Aliana felt nothing but relief that the ordeal was done.
Before the event coul
“I have to leave.”
could transition into the next stage, Andrian suddenly spoke.
Ethan, standing in the front row, stepped forward in confusion.
“Andrian, what are you talking about? This is your wedding day! You can’t just leave. You’re the groom.”
“I have important business that can’t be delayed,” Andrian said bluntly. “My brother, Nathan Velor, will handle the guests. He’s more than capable”
“This is inappropriate,” Ethan protested, “What will the guests think if you abandon your bride on your wedding day?”
Andrian shrugged indifferently. “I don’t care what they think. You wanted this wedding, and it’s done. The guests aren’t my concern, Nathan will handle them.”
Ethan clenched his fists, visibly frustrated, but Andrian was already walking away. Aliana stared at his back, eyes narrowing, saying nothing. Inwardly, she swore that he would pay for every insult he had thrown at Alicia.
Nathan Velor, Andrian’s younger brother, stood among the Velor family members with a faint smile. He looked far more approachable than his brother. With softer features, Nathan approached Aliana with a polite smile.
1/2
Chapter 3
“My brother’s always been busy,” Nathan said, his tone warmer and more congenial than Andrian’s. “I hope you can forgive him.”
Aliana gave him a blank stare, unmoved by the friendliness.
“It’s not a problem. I can take care of myself.”
She replied coolly before walking away to greet the guests.
Hours later..
The wedding reception finally came to a close. Guests gradually left the hall, and only a few lingered to offer final congratulations to Aliana.
Throughout the event, Aliana’s formal smile never faltered. No anger, no sorrow-
a calm, stoic mask
ow–just a caln
Nathan Velor, who had taken over hosting duties from his absent brother, remained by her side until the end. He observed his new sister–in–law closely, astonished by her composure despite the circumstances. He had expected her to walk out of the wedding after such blatant disrespect, especially so soon after burying her twin.
“Sister–in–law,” Nathan said softly, his voice genuinely admiring. “Tm truly impressed you stayed until the end. I thought you leave, just like my brother did.”
might
When the last guest finally departed, Nathan stepped closer to share his admiration.
He had assumed Aliana would crack under the pressure, especially after the humiliation. But she hadn’t shown a single sign of distress. Even though he knew she’d just held a funeral for her twin, Aliana seemed unmoved.
Aliana turned to him, her gaze expressionless.
“Why would I leave? I’m not the kind of person who abandons her duty just because of emotions”
Nathan looked at her with newfound respect. As the son of the Velor family, he had met many women- but Aliana was different. There was a cold, commanding presence about her, as if she were used to dealing with far deadlier matters than wedding gossip.
What Nathan didn’t know was that Aliana had been raised in the merciless world of the mafia. In that world, emotion
weakness led to death.
weakness, and
Failure was never an option. Not even grief was a valid excuse to retreat. From childhood, she had been trained to finish the job–no matter how vile or difficult–and to bury her feelings as deep as possible,
“Still,” Nathan said with a soft, sheepish smile, “I feel i should apologize on my brother’s behalf. What he did today was unacceptable. I know it’s been a hard day for you. He shouldn’t have embarrassed you like that.”
Aliana didn’t reply. She simply excused herself.
“Thank you for staying I’ll be heading to the dressing room now.”
Nathan remained silent, unsure how to stop her. Aliana was serene almost unreadable. There was something intimidating in the way she carried herself. A stillness that was anything but ordinary, especially for someone who had just buried her sister and been: humiliated on her wedding day.
Aliana walked away without looking back, heading toward the dressing room.
A small smile curved on Nathan’s lips. With a meaningful tone, he murmured to himself,
“Turns out, the sister is just as captivating as the one before her.”
