Paper Promise: The Substitute Bride - Chapter 9: Chapter 9

Annie looked at me for a few seconds longer than was comfortable, long enough for me to feel the weight of what hadn’t been said between us. Her watery eyes conveyed pain and disappointment.
“I understand why he chose you,” she murmured in an embarrassed voice, nervously adjusting the strap of her dress as she walked away. “I need to get back to the reception before my father notices I’m gone. We don’t want a scandal.”
She hesitated for a moment, as if she wanted to say something else, before turning on her heels and disappearing.
The sound of her heels against the floor echoed like a countdown to the explosion I contained inside me. I stood there, taking a deep breath, the fingers of my right hand tingling with the almost uncontrollable urge to stamp my five fingers on James’ arrogant face.
“How many?” I asked with a calm I didn’t feel, my voice low but loaded with venom. “How many girlfriends or lovers are you hiding out there?”
James raised an eyebrow dismissively, bringing the crystal goblet to his lips before answering coolly.
“That’s none of your business, darling. It never was.”
The word “darling” sounded like an insult. I took a step towards him, keeping my voice controlled so that we wouldn’t be overheard by the guests in the next room.
“If you love this woman - and it’s clear from the devastated look on her face that she loves you - why didn’t you marry her?” I felt tears of anger burning in the corners of my eyes. “Why did you drag me into this farce? Why did you force me to live this lie of a marriage while you keep her waiting in the shadows?”
James raised his chin with that arrogance I already knew so well, his blue eyes as cold as an iceberg and a thin, cruel smile forming on his lips.
“Because I wanted to and because I can,” he replied, each word distilling the privilege of a man who has never faced consequences. “It’s as simple as that.”
I felt my body tremble with indignation.
“There’s nothing simple about destroying lives,” I retorted. “You play with people as if they were chess pieces.”
“This emotional lack of control doesn’t suit you, Laura. Remember, you’re a Reynolds now.”
“You’re a man with serious problems,” I whispered, leaning in so that only he could hear. “And one day, it’s going to cost you more than you realize.”
“Maybe. But my money is very real, and that’s what your father needs, isn’t it?” He straightened his tie. “Now, let’s get back to the party. We have guests waiting.”
I turned around before he could say anything else. My heart was hammering against my ribs as if it wanted to escape. Fury coursed through my veins - not only for the way James had treated me, forcing me into this sham marriage, but also for how he had manipulated that poor woman, raising hopes that would never come true.
I took three deep breaths before walking through the double doors that led to the main hall. Like a well-trained actress, I composed my expression: I relaxed the tension in my eyebrows, smoothed out the crease between them and forced my lips into a slight smile, rehearsed endlessly in the mirror.
“Don’t disappear for so long,” my mother-in-law scolded me as soon as I approached. Her critical eyes scanned me from top to bottom like a jewelry appraiser looking for imperfections. “People comment.”
“I had a minor setback,” I replied in the low voice I had learned to use in her presence. I tucked a lock of hair behind my ear, trying to look nonchalant.
She narrowed her eyes for a moment, as if she could smell the lie, but then gave a smile as artificial as mine.
“By the way, Laura, you look presentable. At least that.”
I didn’t have time to absorb the poisoned compliment when I spotted James entering the lounge. From a distance, I watched as he made his way straight to the bar, filling glass after glass with amber whisky, downing them in quick, consecutive gulps. Our gazes met briefly over the crowd - his, a mixture of defiance and indifference; mine, a silent promise that this farce wouldn’t last forever.
“Laura, you and James need to look like you’re really in love. You’ve just got married, you’re still on your honeymoon.”
I smiled awkwardly, feeling like I was surrounded by predators on the prowl.
That’s when I heard my stepmother’s shrill voice echoing from the doorway, next to my father.
“I’m Laura’s mother! I’m part of the family!”
“Eva...” my father tried to intervene, clearly embarrassed.
She pushed him away and came towards me with her arms open.
“Laura, my dear! What a wonderful party, isn’t it?” Eva’s voice was loud enough to attract curious looks.
“Eva... I...” I tried to reply, but my throat closed up and my voice disappeared.
“You just forgot to send me the invitation, didn’t you? You were always so absent-minded, just like your mother.” She smiles, but her eyes carry pure venom.
I feel my face burning. The room seemed to spin, and the surrounding walls suffocated me.
“Eva... I don’t even know what to say.”
“It’s okay; intelligence has never been a quality of yours. Molly will never forget.”
I could feel the disdain in every word, and the surrounding people were staring and whispering. Before I could react, James appeared at my side, as cold as ever.
“Ah, dear Eva,” he says, extending a glass of whisky as if it were a toast. “What a pleasure to have you here. Laura talks about you so much. It’s as if you’re already part of our household.”
Eve looks at him suspiciously, but James keeps his cynical smile.
He wrapped his arm around my waist and pulled me closer to him.
“My beloved Laura is an exemplary wife. So loyal to her family, isn’t she?”
He cast a discreet glance at my mother-in-law, who pressed her lips together in disapproval.
I felt my body tense under James’ touch, but for a brief moment, his presence protected me from embarrassment.
Eve forced a smile. “Of course... Laura has always been... dedicated.”
“I’m glad we agree.” James takes a sip of his whisky. “Now, I hope you enjoy the party. After all, we’re all one big family, aren’t we?”
Eve hesitated, but walked away with a fake smile and my father went straight to the bar, ignoring me completely.
When she disappeared among the guests, I let out the breath I hadn’t even realized I was holding.
“Why did you do that?” I asked, looking James in the eye.
He just laughed.
“Because you’re a Reynolds now. And, like it or not, protecting you is protecting my image. I can’t allow anyone to make fun of you in public.”
He shrugged and walked away towards the bar, leaving me standing there, confused and furious, but deep down, a small part of me felt relieved.