Chapter Two
Amelia POV
Slow music played as I walked down the aisle, holding a flower. Xavier stood at the altar, and this day, meant to be his happiest, lacked the joy he was supposed to feel. He wasn't happy because he didn't support tying the knot with me, all because of a one-night stand.
It was his grandma who suggested the idea of getting married. He didn't love me, and he had someone else in mind… my step-sister, Aurora.
His eyes were fixed on Aurora; he liked her, not me. However, he didn't have a say in this, and neither did I have a choice either. Reluctantly, he held my hands and helped me climb the altar.
We both stared at each other, no love coming from either of us.
It was time for the matrimonial oath.
I said it first, "I solemnly swear that I will love, cherish, and honour you until death do us part."
He followed, "I solemnly swear that I will love, cherish, and honour you till death do us part."
Our vows were just words, they didn't have any meaning because our union was forced. We didn't love each other but had no choice but to get married, just as Xavier's grandma wanted.
#Two weeks after the wedding.
Xavier woke me up from my sleep with a gentle tap. I blinked, and I stood up yarning.
"What's the time?" I asked him.
But Xavier remained silent, his facial expressions were unreadable, I was wondering why he woke me up.
Instead of answering my question, he threw out an envelope onto the bed.
I stared at Xavier, I was wondering what the envelope was about as I eagerly opened the envelope.
It is an invitation card for Mrs. Basil's birthday. Mrs. Basil, a friend of Xavier's grandmother, held a prominent place in the Bennett family circle.
I was surprised by the surprising invitation, I glanced up at Xavier, finding him already dressed for work.
The realization hit me that Xavier planned for the both of us to attend Mrs. Basil's birthday together. A mix of feelings washed over me, surprise, joy, and a flicker of hope. I was happy that Xavier wanted me to come along with him.
“Don't get this wrong, it was grandma that wanted me to go with you, if it was left for me, I'd go with Aurora. Xavier said.
Despite Xavier's statement, the mere opportunity of accompanying him to a family event gave me a flicker of hope that maybe this was our starting point.
#In The Evening.
As the car drove smoothly towards the venue of Mrs Basil's birthday celebration. The ride was surrounded by silence, with Xavier engaged in his phone, it was as if I wasn't inside the car with him.
This moment meant a lot to me, it was rare to see Xavier together, not to talk about sharing a car with him. It was something that had never happened before.
The anticipation of a family gathering, and the flicker of hope that maybe, just maybe, this occasion could bring us close together.
The car halted in a very beautiful venue, where the glow of light welcomed us.
The chauffeur opened the car door for us, as we stepped out you were greeted by Mrs. Basil herself, the celebrant of the evening.
“Oh, Mr and Mrs Bennett, it's been a while,” Mrs Basil exclaimed warmly, her eyes lighting up at the sight of us.
“Happy birthday, Ma,” I chimed in with a genuine smile.
“Thank you, my dear,” Mrs. Basil responded, her appreciation evident.
As pleasantries were exchanged between us I felt a sense of positiveness, deserving my recognising the genuine affection I have for a and maybe forget about Aurora, and we could be together.
“I'll leave you two to catch up,” Xavier said, excusing himself and he vanished into the lively crowd, leaving me standing beside Mrs. Basil. I was a little bit sad because the party had not gone far but Xavier had left me alone, my hopes were shattered.
It seems like Mrs Basil sensed Xavier's behaviour. “My dear, is everything alright?” she asked, her eyes searching mine, it seemed like Mrs Basil sensed Xavier's behaviour.
I paused for a moment before responding, “No Ma, my husband is just tired.” I lied. Mrs Basil nodded.
***
The clock looked like to moving in slow motion as I walked through the elegant building, my mind filled with questions about Xavier's whereabouts.
Three hours had slipped away, and the anticipation of sharing this evening with Xavier had transformed into staying alone. Despite the beauty of the venue, its luxury provided little comfort to me.
I walked through the hallways, admiring the architecture that temporarily distracted me from the unrest within, and I bumped into Xavier. To my dissatisfaction, and greatest surprise, Aurora was by his side, and the two engaged in a conversation.
Confusion and hurt rushed through me, questioning whether Xavier had spent the past three hours with Aurora instead of me.
"Xavier, where have you been? I've been looking for you. What is she doing here? Why did you bring her to Mrs. Basil's birthday party?" My words were laden with frustration and an undercurrent of betrayal.
Before Xavier could offer any explanation, Aurora interjected, "I'm sorry, Amelia. It's my fault. I asked Xavier to show me around; that's all."
I am familiar with Aurora's pretence, and I knew she was lying, I ignored her and faced my focus on Xavier, waiting for an explanation.
"Stop it, Aurora. There's no need for you to apologize or explain yourself to Amelia. She doesn't deserve your explanation," Xavier said making me angry, I feel lonely and sad.
Just then, Dwayne, Xavier's younger brother, walked to where we were and he wrapped his suit jacket over my shoulders. The suit offered a little help to me because I was already freezing.
“This is not the right way to treat your wife, Xavier,” Dwayne spoke up.
“Stay out of this, brother,” Xavier warned sharply, pointing a finger at Xavier angrily.
In a swift, harsh motion, Xavier yanked the suit jacket from my shoulders, discarding it on the floor.
I got hurt once more because what he just did meant he was stripping away any means of protection or support from me.
“This is what you always do, seeking pity from others “ Xavier accused me of playing the victim, intensifying my emotional turmoil.
“I have never sought pity, please “ My voice quivering with emotion. I pleaded with him to believe me for once, to acknowledge the two weeks we had been married.
“Let's go, Amelia, staying here will only make you sad,” Dwayne said as he walked me.
***
The surroundings of Mrs Basil's celebration seemed to blur as I walked towards the area of the swimming pool. The pain from Xavier's cruel treatment lingered in my heart, at least I now know that Xavier would never look at me the way he looked at Aurora.
I couldn't accept that no matter how hard I tried, Xavier's love would just be a dream.
The cold waters of the pool sent chills on my skin, it brought peace within me. As I gazed into the pool, lost in thinking, the sounds of my footsteps were interrupted by approaching ones. I turned to find Aurora, a smirk playing on her lips, a clear sign that her presence was not coincidental.
“What do you want, Aurora?” I questioned my tone a mixture of weariness and defence from Aurora.
“Xavier will never love you, Amelia.” Aurora, revealing the pain she could stir, answered,
A flood of anger ran through me, my resolve tightening. “That is none of your business. Even if Xavier loves you, I am his wife. I hope you realize that” I retorted, my words carrying the unspoken truths.
Aurora walked to the edge of the pool with a naughty glint in her eyes. “If I should jump inside the pool, what do you think Xavier will think?” she mused, throwing a glance towards where Xavier engaged in conversation with others.
Fear flashed in my eyes as I grasped the consequences of the action Aurora was about to take.
If she eventually jumped into the pool, people might think that I pushed her inside it, Xavier will never believe that I didn't push her, instead, he will believe whatever she tells him.
"No, stop it, Aurora!" I exclaimed in fright, but it was too late. Aurora, who had other plans to ruin this evening, pushed herself into the pool, making the water splash in the surroundings.
The commotion caught everyone's attention, drawing eyes away from the ongoing festivities. Gasps and whispers were heard through the onlookers as Aurora's sudden act unfolded. I stood at the pool's edge, I was surprised and concerned at the same time.
Xavier, torn from his conversations, turned to witness the mess. His eyes widened as he walked to the scene, and stared at me with hate. The looks on his face could kill, it now dawned on me that there was nothing I could do to make Xavier believe me.