Everyone immediately looked at Danera after hearing Billy's words.
Danera and Doriane are identical twins, so no one would suspect if the bride were changed.
Danera looked confused and pale as everyone's eyes fell on her.
"A ... me? Dad, don't talk nonsense. I don't want to take Doriane's future husband."
"That's right! Zayn is Doriane's future husband! I disagree!" Alice also strongly rejected the idea.
Zayn was handsome and rich and from the powerful Wilde family. Zayn was the son-in-law she wanted for Doriane, the daughter she loved!
"Shut up! Doriane has already run away with another man. Changing the bride will solve this problem." Billy scolded his wife. He then turned his gaze on the Wilde family.
"Mr. and Mrs. Wilde, this wedding cannot be canceled. We must complete the wedding not to disappoint Zayn and the guests. No one knows that the bride and groom switched. Once this wedding is over, you can vent your anger on us. The important thing now is to finish this wedding, not to embarrass our family."
Emily and Joshua looked at each other.
"Honey, what do you think?" Emily asked her husband.
"This suggestion might be better. We shouldn't stop the show or announce that the bride ran off with another man. Zayn would be humiliated." Joshua agreed with Billy's idea.
Danera panicked overhearing their conversation. She looked at her father pleadingly. But Billy glared at her and pinched Danera's arm to keep her from arguing in front of the Wilde family.
Emily looked at the Gillard family coldly. "I agree with what Mr. Billy said. It's better than us being humiliated and for the sake of protecting Zayn's pride."
"Don't worry, ma'am. After this event, I will find Doriane, teach her a lesson, and apologize to the Wilde family and Zayn." Billy said soothingly to the Wilde family.
Emily snorted coldly and ordered the staff to dress Danera immediately.
Danera was utterly helpless when told to wear the wedding dress that Doriane had left behind. No one cared about her feelings and opinions. She could only replace her runaway twin sister.
***
The Wilde family, owners of the giant Wilde Group company in Capital City, held a very grand wedding event for the only heir, Zayn Wilde, and invited many distinguished guests to attend the wedding.
The event was delayed for an hour. The Wilde and Gillard families calmed the guests and explained that the bride and groom were very nervous. The wedding was about to begin.
Danera looked at her reflection in the mirror in the bridal dressing room. She wore an ivory white wedding dress with a low-cut collar revealing her smooth, white collarbones. Her brown hair was in a bun with a pearl hairpin that was very pretty.
But Danera didn't feel the excitement that a bride-to-be should feel.
This was not her wedding but that of her twin sister. She was just a substitute.
Danera took a deep breath. Soon, the bridal makeup room door opened, and a staff member entered, followed by Billy. Danera turned to face them.
"Miss Danera, are you ready? The ceremony is about to begin." The staff looked at Danera.
Billy immediately reprimanded the staff. "She's not Danera, but Doriane. Don't mention Danera's name in front of the guests."
Apart from the staff and the two bridal families, no one knew about Doriane leaving the wedding.
"Well, sir, I'm sorry." The staff apologized immediately.
Billy's face still looked unhappy. He looked at Danera and held out his hand.
"Come quickly. The wedding is about to start."
Danera took a deep breath to ease her nervousness before nodding and grabbing her father's arm.
Danera took Billy's arm and followed the staff out of the bridal makeup room. They stopped at the large double doors connected to the party hall and waited for the staff's instructions.
"Danera, you must remember this. You are only Doriane's replacement. You are Doriane. No matter what, you have to defend this marriage." Billy whispered in a low voice.
"Dad, I can't keep this marriage because what Mr. Zayn likes is Doriane," Danera replied sadly.
Billy glared at her and said in a slightly threatening manner. "Dad doesn't care, do whatever it takes to lure Zayn to keep the marriage. Our family depends on the Wilde family to run the business. If you fail to maintain this marriage, I will marry you off to Mr. Smith."
Danera's face paled.
Earlier, the Gillard family had planned to marry her to Mr. Smith, a widower in his 50s and a wealthy businessman. He has three children, Danera's age, and Mr. Smith's wife died three months ago.
"Do you understand? You have to defend this marriage no matter what. Danera, are you listening to me." Billy pulled Danera's arm because he got no response.
Danera's eyes glazed over. She smiled wryly and nodded softly, "Yes, Dad."
Soon, melodious voices could be heard from inside the hall, and the double doors at the front opened.
Danera was nervous about seeing the attention of all the guests pay her. There was clapping and whispering while pointing at her, making Danera slightly panic.
Billy stepped up to lead Danera with a big smile.
Danera calmed herself down and followed Billy's lead. She tried to ignore the guests' gaze and looked straight ahead.
Danera's heart pounded when she saw a handsome man wearing a groom's suit waiting and staring at her: Zayn Wilde, Doriane's lover and future husband. Zayn was a handsome man with black hair and blue eyes. His blue eyes seemed to stare at Danera coldly and indifferently.