Location: The Caribbean Sea
It was a beautiful sunny day. Blue sky dotted with white clouds—the water, clean and calm, sparkling in the sun.
A wedding ceremony, simple yet solemn, was being held on a luxurious cruise ship. The older daughter of the Carter, Nathalia Carter, was getting married to Ben Johnson, the man who she had been dating for two years and loved dearly.
The deck was covered with white snow lilies and red roses, with a long red carpet cutting through. The fresh fragrance filled the air. Happy guests stood along the carpet, all smiles and sending their best wishes. What's more romantic than having a joyful and dignified wedding on a cruise on the beautiful blue sea?
Delightful wedding marches were playing. Ben, wearing a clean white suit, looking tall, smart and gentle, stood in front of the priest and watched the bride gracefully walking towards him. A smile lit up his face, and there was love and affection in his eyes.
Frank Carter walked his daughter, Nathalia, down the aisle. A bunch of lovely lilies in hand, dressed in a glorious wedding dress tailored by a renowned French designer, the fishtail skirt, and low neckline design revealing her curves and silky skin, as well as her elegance and delicacy, Nathalia balletically walked to her husband-to-be.
Following behind was a stunning looking girl, bright eyes framed by long lashes, a straight nose, full lips, glowing and porcelain-like skin, with a most voluptuous body that had gained her endless suitors. She was the younger daughter of the Carter, Evette Carter.
Feeling a bit bashful and timid, Nathalia walked by her father to the man she adored and loved the most, to the beginning of happiness. The closer she got towards him, the faster her heartbeat, and it brought a blush to her cheeks.
As Frank Carter placed his daughter's hand onto Ben Johnson's, he stepped aside and was greeted with a sweet kiss from his strikingly attractive wife, Anne Carter. A loving couple they were.
Ben cast a secret look at Evette, who was standing beside the bride, smiled, and brought Nathalia next to him. The priest looked at the beautiful couple standing in front of him, calmly and solemnly, he said, "Ben Johnson, will thou have this Woman to thy wedded wife, to live together after God's ordinance in the holy estate of Matrimony? Wilt thou love her, comfort her, honor, and keep her in sickness and in health; and, forsaking all others, keep thee only unto her, so long as ye both shall live?"
"I will." He answered, assured, and firm.
"Nathalia Carter, will thou have this Man to thy wedded husband, to live together after God's ordinance in the holy estate of Matrimony? Wilt thou love him, comfort him, honor, and keep him in sickness and in health; and, forsaking all others, keep thee only unto him, so long as ye both shall live?"
Hardly had the priest finished when Nathalia nodded, "I will." She was so excited that her voice trembled, and a few guests giggled with joy for her.
The bride and the groom exchanged their vows and wedding rings. Ben lifted the bride's wedding veil to reveal a pretty face, though not as strikingly good looking as her younger sister, it has the irresistible charm of innocence and refinement.
Desire showed in his eyes, and he kissed her. Her face blushed, and her heart blossomed with love. Colorful and fragrant petals showered on them. It seemed surreal. She was deeply in love, surrounded by wonderfulness and sweetness. He was all she wanted, nothing else.
What a blessing and fortune to meet someone who loved her so dearly!
The priest took out a few documents, and Ben signed them all casually and somehow hurriedly, then he handed the pen to his newlywed wife. Her eyes fixed on her loving husband, following his indication, Nathalia had barely taken a look at the documents and swiftly signed her name, neat and clear.
Night had replaced day, and the moon was up. People were talking, laughing, tunes playing. The newlyweds sneaked out and sought a quiet spot where they could embrace the joy themselves.
Leaning in Ben's arms, Nathalia could hardly hide her elation "Ben, you know, today is the happiest day in my life. Now I finally have a home."
Ben gently pecked her on her cheek. His eyes seemed to be of an unusual dark color now. It would have sent a chill down her spine if she had looked. "Don't be silly. You have your father, your mother, sister, and brother. The Carters are the richest and most powerful in Miami."
With the fortune the Carter had accumulated, they could buy off the whole Miami city easily.
Though business had been going a bit downhill and Frank Carter had lost millions, to an enterprise that was worth billions, it wasn't a big loss at all, and it was still going up steadily in the stock market.
Nathalia smiled but had no intention of explaining. It was true that she had a father and a mother, stepmother, to be exact. Her sister and brother were just half-sister and brother with the same father. It wasn't the same.
Her stepmother treated her well, and she was close to her half-sister, she had always felt alone. An inexplicable feeling of emptiness and fear haunted her.
She lifted her chin up, tears in her eyes, looked at the sky, and said gratefully, "I'm so thankful that I've found you, and I will no longer feel alone."
At the age of twenty, her youthful face was brimming with life and hope and sincerity. It shone. It charmed her.
A sudden sadness gripped Ben by his chest. "I'm sorry." He whispered.
She couldn't catch what he was saying, and she felt sudden dizziness. "Pardon? Ben I'm feeling a bit drunk. I might have had a bit too much to drink."
A clear voice traveled through the dark and reached her sharply, "My dearest sister. You aren't drunk. You are dying."
Evette approached in a red evening gown, all smiles. Triumph and sinisterness were written on her face.
Dying? Nathalia stared at her half-sister, who seemed a stranger to her now, and then the terrifying truth dawned on her. "You, you two, put poison in my drink?"
Her eyes were wide open with shock. She turned to the man she loved all this time. Was it guilt that was shown on his face?
She was shivering. She was in extreme pain. Her heart sank into the hopeless dark. There and then, the whole world collapsed.
A sudden fear seized her, and her instinct response was to run, run to the crowd. "Dad will kill you and mum won't forgive you…"
Yes. There's the father. She still had her father.
She had always been her father's favorite among the three. She knew he would not let anyone harm her, anyone, including her younger sister. Also, mum had always treated her like her own daughter, and she, her real mum. She would always tell her everything.
She had hardly managed to move a few steps forward when she got dragged back and swung down to the ground. She was feeling weaker and weaker, yet more shocked at the sight of her husband's twisted face.
Was he going to kill her? For real?