SOFIA POV

"We are gathered here to join these two beautiful souls in holy matrimony" The voice of the priest beckon to the members of the church. 

My lips twitched with a smile staring at Ivan, my groom. So many times our relationship could have gone sour, but we stood the test of time.

"Do you Sofia Lanchester, take Ivan to be your lovely husband?" The priest ask, while directing his attention to me.

"I do." My comment receives a loud cheer from the audience.

"And do you Mr. Ivan take Sofia to be your beautiful wife?" The priest asked and just when Ivan is about to say the words that bind us together, the moment is interrupted by the priest.

"We have just received news. This union cannot continue." 

We looked at the priest with confusion. He collected a paper from his service boy and raised it before the audience.

"Here with me is the marriage certificate of Sofia Lanchester," My eyes widened and the gasp from the audience is followed by loud whispering.

"You are married to someone else?" Ivan asked staring at me in disbelief.

"No, I don't even know what this is all about." I revealed while the priest handed the document over to me.

My mouth opened wide as my signature alongside another man was imprinted on the paper.

"I should have known you were cheating on me all along." Ivan expressed with a regrettable tone.

"No Ivan, I did not cheat on you. Believe me. I don't know what is going on." My plea seems to have fallen on deaf years.

Ivan snatched the wedding ring away from the priest and turned to the audience. "I cannot stay in a marriage full of deceit and lies. On this alter, I reject Sofia Lanchester."

I fell to my knees with a broken heart and tears filled face after his announcement and the audience seem to take his side, as they all howl insults at my direction.

"Briana." I looked up as Ivan called to my half sister. "Please come." He added.

As Briana approached Ivan, I could see the devilish smirk on her face as she looked at me. Ivan held up her hands and goes down to his feet, holding the ring up in his hands.

"Will you marry me?"

"Ivan!" I yelled out his name as more tears fell down my eyes. I tried pinching myself in hopes that I was dreaming, but this was not a dream.

Briana said a yes to his proposal and I watched with a sorrowful heart, as they both say their marital vows and exchange their rings.

Just when I thought I was going to be with the love of my life, he turned around to give the ring to my half sister.

Getting up from the floor was never easy and going back to sit in the middle of the audience was worse. I could hear the mockery in the whispers thrown around me by other younger ladies.

After the ceremony, I ran out of the hall before anyone could call my name. The humiliation is too much to handle.

By the time I got home, I stopped at the entrance of the gate, seeing my things outside the premises of the house.

My step father Jeffery came out of the house with a scowl on his face.

"You are such a disgrace to this family!" His words cut deep into my soul. "Getting married to another man and you did not even inform me or your mother"

I had left my mother at the church due to the shame. I recalled seeing the embarrassment on her face as I returned to my sit.

"I am not married to anyone" I insist, "This whole marriage scheme looks like a trap." 

"I don't care. You have brought disgrace to this family"

After he was done speaking, I watch him go back inside and slam the door on my face. 

Reality begins to set in, I have lost everything. My home is no longer a place to stay, I have no one to stay with.

As I bowed my head down in defeat, my eyes picked up on the marriage certificate. Picking up the document, I locate the name of the man that is supposed to be my husband.

Aiden Hendrix.

The name doesn't sound familiar to my ears, but I knew I need to find this man and prove to everyone that it was a mix up.

Getting up from the floor, I grabbed my bag and moved out of the house. I had no way of reaching out to him, but from the marriage certificate is his address and I could only hope that we resolve the situation on my hand.

On the road, there is a serious traffic which got me really irritated.

"What is going on there?" I ask the driver, who has been quiet all through the trip.

"They say the Mayor of the city has given the keys of the city to Justin Harper." He replied.

"Justin Harper? Who is that?"

"You don't know Justin Harper?"

He asked out of disbelief and I shrugged my shoulders in response

The driver reached out to his pocket and handed over his phone to me. 

Tall and muscular with blue eyes and a brown hair. Justin Harper is a perfect angel any woman could dream of getting as a groom.

"His family and the Hendrix have good relationship."

The comment of the driver forced me to look back up at him.

"Did you just say the Hendrix?" I asked to be sure I heard him right.

"Yes, they are great and powerful people of this city." 

"Do you know Aiden Hendrix?" I asked, checking the document and hoping I got his name right.

"Aiden Hendrix is a very powerful man. I don't think you should see him. Many claims that he is ruthless and will snap the moment you don't agree with him."

The description by the driver gave me goosebumps. How could anyone in their right senses think I will get married to such a person?

"Can you take me to where he lives?" I ask.

"No one knows where he lives"

"Does he own a company, a hotel or even a bar. There must be something that belongs to him." I suggest.

"There is this company that he owns, but I don't think you will see…."

"Take me to him!" I paused him halfway.