Alia instantly dropped the iPad out of reflex, her hands trembling.
But Marcus was quick enough to catch the expensive device before it hit the marble floor. He paused the video.
"Miss Alia..."
"What is the aning of this?" Alia's narrowed gaze shot fiery darts at Marcus, a hint of fear and panic lacing her tone. "Are you trying to play a prank on ? Please tell you are."
"I'm afraid it's not a prank, Miss Alia. It's your wedding which took place six days ago while you were unconscious."
"Impossible!" Alia shook her head in denial, her heart thumping erratically. "T-this isn't real."
"I'm not making this up, Miss Alia. I was there in person and I captured the whole event. The groom you just saw is your fiance and the bride made to look like you is your stepsister. Your stepmother and..."
"Stop!" Alia shouted, raising her hands to cup her ears. "That's enough." Tears gathered in her shimring ears.
Marcus instantly regretted being the bearer of bad news. But he had a job to do.
"Miss Alia..."
"You may leave."
"But you need to..."
"I said get lost..." Alia scread, cutting him off while pointing at the door.
"Fine..." Marcus stood up, straightening out his suit jacket. "I will be waiting outside your ward if you need . But I will drop this here in case you change your mind."
Marcus carefully placed the iPad on her bedside table as Alia turned her reddened face sideways, tears streaming down her eyes. He took one pitiful glance at her and quietly left her ward.
"Oh God..." Alia raised her trembling hands to her lips as her tears glistening eyes shifted to the iPad. Her heart was pounding so loud in her ears as she slowly retrieved the iPad from the table and played the video.
Ti seed to stand still as Alia's eyes widened in horror. Her breath hitched as her gaze fell on the couple again, hoping against hope that this was all an expensive joke.
Unfortunately, it wasn't. The video was real. The people in it were real. It wasn't photoshopped like she hoped it would be.
Everything was live and happening like she had ticulously planned. Her dad, her stepmother, her grandmother, her uncles, aunties, friends and her specially invited guest were all in attendance. They were all lavishly dressed and happy, celebrating in her absence.
'But how can this be? Didn't they know she was abducted? Didn't they know she was involved in an accident? Isn't it obvious that she's not the bride? Did Gwen have all of them fooled, including Jerry? Was this a plot to get her out of the picture? Could it be that Gwen was the one behind her abduction?'
Alia felt as though her head was about to explode from so many questions clamouring for attention. She raked her fingers through her hair, ruffling her soft textured golden brown hair.
This was supposed to be her fairytale wedding. It was supposed to be her happily ever after. Jerry had promised to give her the world and she in turn had vowed to give him her heart.
What went wrong?
Alia slowly brought the iPad down with trembling hands, her blurry gaze glued to the screen. The happy cheers and sound of laughter seed to vaporize into thin air as the sound of her shattering heart echoed louder.
A bitter smile frad her quivering lips as her fingers stroked the happy face of her once-treasured lover. He was looking so elegant and handso, cladded in the custom-made white tuxedo she had designed, specially for him.
"Why Jerry... How could you do this to ? How could you betray us? I thought you loved ? Where did I go wrong?" Alia's recovering body shook with unshed grief, the sting of betrayal and loneliness crippling her soul.
When her blurry vision shifted to her stepsister, her gaze slowly darkened. Not only did she steal her man and her life, Gwen had the effrontery to wear her priceless wedding gown.
This custom-made luxury wedding gown was the last gift she received from her mother, shortly before the latter passed away.
All through Alia's teenage and young adult life, she had dreamt of the day she would finally wear this gown and show her beautiful self to the world. She kept her body fit and in shape to avoid making any adjustnts to this special dress. And all for what, to be worn by soone else?
"How could you, Gwen?" Alia spoke between gritted teeth, her fist clenched and her slightly long nails digging into the soft palm of her hand.
"How dare you defy the mories of my late mother? You knew what this dress ant to and you have the guts to wear it? Oh how much I hate you right now. So help God, I will destroy you and everything you stand for." Alia hiccupped choking on her words. "I will make you and everyone responsible for this pay dearly. I swear..."
Alia angrily smatched the iPad on the fall, screaming at the top of her voice.
Marcus, who was within earshot rushed into the room in ti to see Alia trashing everything within her reach while almost hurting herself in the process. He rushed over to her side to stop her while dodging all the objects flying in his direction.
"Miss Alia, please stop."
"Stay away from ." Alia cried unable to control her overwhelming emotions.
Marcus ignored her harsh words as he carefully approached her and held her in his arms, arresting both her hands, while trying to plead with her.
"They betrayed ." Alia wept bitterly. "They all betrayed ."
The doctors, who had rushed into the ward when they overheard the commotion hurriedly tried to sedate her as Marcus held her in place, doing his best to soothe her.
"Not all of them, Miss Alia," Marcus said calmly. "You still have people who care about you and who are genuinely searching for you."
"No..." Alia whispered shaking her head as the drugged slowly kicked in. "They all betrayed ." Her voice slowly drifted away.
After ensuring that Alia was no longer in danger of hurting herself, Marcus left her to the care of the doctors and nurses. He left her ward and called his boss, giving him feedback.
"I'll be with you shortly," Blaze said curtly from the other end and hung up.
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