“Why are you quiet?
Please play.
The patriarch of Ravenwood and I invited you specially.” Adrian turned to the orchestra and said.
The conductor wiped his sweat and resumed the orchestra.
Cristina was shivering.
“Thank goodness Juliette is not our daughter.
She would never survive next to him.
Forget taking revenge on Lara.
It’s best to let her go and suffer in the Lawrence mansion.”
Cristina wrapped herself in a shawl for how chilly the room was suddenly.
Outside the church, Lara’s car just arrived.
Anastasia got out first and helped Lara get out of the car.
Arnold quickly came and held Lara’s hand to support her in the heels she was wearing.
Lara walked slowly, holding Arnold’s hand.
She didn’t want her so-called father to walk her down the aisle.
It felt so fake and disgusting that she didn’t even think of asking Kevin about it.
So, she had asked Arnold to walk her down the aisle.
“If Grandma Bella and Grandpa Arnold become a thing, it will be like them handing their daughter.” Lara thought.
Once Lara was at the entrance of the church, her hands started to shiver.
Anastasia immediately realised it was wedding nervousness and calmed her.
“No matter what your choice is, I will help you until my death.
Make your decision without any fear,” Anastasia promised.
“If you want to leave, leave now.
I’ll cover your back.”
“No, I need to do this.
I will do this.” Lara said, steeling herself, and looked at Arnold.
“Let’s enter.”
The doors opened after the orchestra finished playing and changed the song to ‘Ave Maria’.
The little flower girls and flower boys walked on the carpet, sprinkling flower petals on the way.
They entered and walked behind the little kids on the red, intricate carpet, with Anastasia ensuring the veil and dress looked immaculate.
Once Lara entered through the large doors of the church, everyone gasped.
Lara was looking like an eternal goddess.
Her wedding dress was an ivory lace wedding gown with a tightly corseted bodice.
It had a scalloped neckline with long sheer floral-lace bell sleeves.
The voluminous floor-length skirt was layered with delicate floral lace and translucent tulle, flowing into a long cathedral train.
A sheer cathedral veil with floral patterns on the bottom covered her face completely.
With a large bouquet of red roses, Lara walked with a straight back.
Every single person couldn’t take their eyes off the bride.
Every woman in the room watched her envy.
Even the men who bet on her marriage were staring at her with longing.
“She looks like a goddess.
Man, that guy is so lucky.”
“Yeah, if they divorce, I’ll definitely take her.”
“Bro, you were the one who was saying that she is a gold digger.
I call dibs.”
Even the groom in question stood still in pure shock and yearning.
He looked like he just met his divine being.
His cheeks were blushing red with a heavenly level of restraint in his eyes and hands.
But Lara?
She was absolutely stunned.
Stunned was an understatement.
She was going through an internal shutdown after seeing the face of the groom.
“I’m getting married to…that Rian!
My mortal enemy!
Plan abort.
Wedding abort.
Can’t I just run away from the church now?” She silently prayed.
She turned her head to see the church door closing.
“Please don’t close.”
“Please don’t close.”
“Please don’t close.”
“Ugh, it closed.”
“Sh*t, nothing is going according to my plans, is it?”
“But since when was Rian…
Oh my god.
I should have made 2 for 2 when I heard the name Adrian.”
“This is so bad,” Lara groaned internally.
Arnold gave Lara’s thin hand to Adrian and said, “Keep her happy.
Never ever make her unhappy.”
“I will, Mr Arnold.
Don’t worry.” Adrian said and smirked at Lara’s annoyed face.
“She will never suffer any kind of grievance ever.”
“Good,” Arnold said and walked away.
Lara muttered under her breath, “Why is it you?
And why do you have such crazy rumours under your name?”
“Good to see you again, Yui.” Adrian kissed her hand feverently and continued, “Don’t worry.
It’s just giving some gossip material to the haters.”
“Did you know about the bride being me?” Lara asked, making a sound that could barely pass as a whisper.
“Hmm,” Adrian said and took her in front of the minister.
The minister took out his glasses and read out.
“Adrian Lawrence and Lara Ravenwood, have you come here to enter into marriage without coercion, freely and wholeheartedly?”
“I have”
“I have”
Lara inwardly screamed, “Nope.
Can I get away from here?”
“Are you prepared, as you follow the path of marriage, to love and honour each other for as long as you both shall live?”
“I have”
“I have”
Adrian held Lara’s hand tightly.
“Are you prepared to accept children lovingly from God and to bring them up according to the law of Christ and his Church?”
“I have”
“I have”
The minister observed the couple and said, “Adrian Lawrence, do you take Lara Ravenwood to be your wife?
Do you promise to be faithful to her in good times and in bad, in sickness and in health, to love her and to honour her all the days of your life?
Without skipping a beat, Adrian replied, “I do.”
Then, the minister gazed at Lara.
Lara flinched a bit but stood confidently.
“Lara Ravenwood, do you take Adrian Lawrence to be your husband?
Do you promise to be faithful to him in good times and in bad, in sickness and in health, to love him and to honour him all the days of your life?
I feel like I just go married even without having a bf.