Just because Eleanor became a second wife through a marriage based on something, it doesn't mean her marriage with Jonathan was done simply. No. For an ordinary person like Eleanor, her wedding could be considered very grand. Held in the backyard of the Cadwell family home, transformed into a flower-filled garden with all-white decorations, the wedding reception felt like something out of a TV series Eleanor often watched.
Accompanied by her father, Eleanor walked down the aisle as gracefully as possible, matching her long, plain white gown. Her golden-brown hair was styled in a high bun with a medium crown and a white net veil covering her face and back. Her heartbeat grew more erratic with each step she took.
“We’re almost there,” her father murmured softly. Although Eleanor couldn’t turn her face towards him, she could tell from his voice that Chad was trying hard to hold back tears. Or perhaps, he was already crying?
Eleanor didn’t answer. She kept her gaze straight ahead, towards the man in the white tuxedo waiting for her. A man who, not long ago, was a complete stranger to her. But now, in a very short time, that stranger would bear the title of her husband.
Chad's hand trembled, gripping Eleanor’s fingers more tightly as they climbed the altar steps and stood before the priest and Jonathan, as if reluctant to hand her over to the young man in front. “Father,” Eleanor whispered, as Chad still hadn’t given her hand to Jonathan.
As if Eleanor's prompting made it even harder, Chad let out a heavy sigh and slowly handed his daughter’s hand to Jonathan, following the master of ceremonies’ instructions. Eleanor glanced sadly at her father. But despite this, she tried hard to look okay. On this supposedly happy day, Eleanor had to put on a wide fake smile.
When Chad stepped back, Eleanor realized it was too late to cancel anything. Now, she had no choice but to go through with this marriage and the duties that would come with it.
Eleanor took a step forward with Jonathan. Guided by the priest leading their wedding ceremony, they recited their vows one by one in front of all their relatives and invited guests. Eleanor didn’t know why, but her heart trembled as she spoke each vow. And at that moment, she realized the sacredness of their marriage was truly witnessed by angels and God.
Eleanor and Jonathan now stood facing each other. It was then Eleanor noticed how handsome the man who had officially become her husband looked. More handsome than when she first met him. When the man lifted the transparent veil from her face, their eyes met. And all the blood in her body seemed to freeze. Especially when, shortly after, his luscious lips suddenly landed on her soft ones.
Sweet, warm, and gentle. Eleanor didn’t know how else to describe their first kiss. All she knew was that her entire body felt weak. She realized that the man embracing her was very dangerous. Not only did he possess an irresistible charisma, but Jonathan also had above-average kissing skills. Not that Eleanor was so wild as to know many different men's kisses. In fact, she had only kissed and been kissed by two men. And Jonathan’s technique was better than both of theirs. Perhaps because he was mature and experienced? Who knows.
Damn. Eleanor was so absorbed in the kiss that she felt a loss when Jonathan suddenly broke it. She didn’t even notice the applause and cheers of the people until Jonathan let go. Her cheeks flushed as Jonathan wiped the wet corners of her lips, a mix of their saliva.
For a moment, Eleanor felt guilty when she glanced at the woman sitting in the second row with her brother-in-law. Lizzy. How bold of her to enjoy the kiss from a man who had long been that woman’s husband. But wasn’t she innocent since she was now also Jonathan’s lawful wife?
“Have you never dated before?” The question from the man beside her snapped Eleanor back to reality. She turned to Jonathan, frowning in confusion. “Your kiss was so stiff, as if you’ve never kissed before. And your expression was so naive, like a high school girl just learning about the opposite sex.”
Jonathan’s explicit statement made Eleanor feel embarrassed and annoyed. Eleanor had kissed before, though only a few times. She had some experience, albeit not as much as Jonathan, who was far more experienced. But that didn’t mean he could blatantly point out her inexperience, right? Ah, damn. Eleanor was so embarrassed!
Meanwhile, Jonathan smiled to himself. He wasn’t sure why he blurted out that statement, knowing it would offend Eleanor. Oddly enough, her reaction amused him.
Jonathan glanced to his left, at Eleanor, who gave no response but whose expression gave a clear answer. Then he turned his face forward, looking at the woman in the light purple dress sitting calmly among the relatives. Lizzy, his wife and best friend. Though her face was calm, Jonathan knew there must be a part of her heart that was hurt. Jonathan remembered the first time he talked to her about his intention to remarry. At that time, Lizzy seemed somewhat shocked. Jonathan held her slender hand tightly, apologizing profusely for the decision he had to make. Then Lizzy, though her eyes were glassy, decided to support Jonathan’s plan without question. Even something Jonathan never expected, she actively inquired about every progress of his plan.
Jonathan felt grateful yet guilty towards her. If only they had been blessed with children long ago, Jonathan wouldn’t have done this. If only there wasn’t a power struggle within the Turner family, and he wasn’t cornered by his weakness of not having a son, Jonathan wouldn’t have betrayed his marriage to Lizzy. But circumstances left Jonathan with no choice. And this was the decision he made.
The event continued with a feast for the guests. All the families from around Eleanor’s neighborhood who were invited made the place crowded, lively, and festive. But many of them clearly sneered at Eleanor’s decision to become Jonathan’s second wife. It hurt, but Eleanor remained strong. She knew the heaviest burden was on her parents. What she bore was perhaps just a fraction of their troubles.
Several members of the Turner family came one by one to congratulate them. From what Eleanor could grasp, the congratulations were not just mere words. There were several implicit meanings in what they said. Perhaps something like, ‘Get pregnant as soon as possible and give the best offspring for our family! Your only duty is that!’, ‘Oh, this is the slut who will be part of the Turner family? Dream on!’ and… ‘Welcome to the hell of the Turner family!’
“Eleanor?”
But when the woman she had briefly met approached her, Eleanor felt an unusual aura. An aura that couldn’t be read. The woman was too calm, too friendly, too sweet, and too seemingly sincere to be called the old wife of her husband. Lizzy.
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