"They can’t wait to see how my daughter’s wedding with Mr. Jose goes. Only it’s you standing in for now!” Debora added.

Sure enough, Ellie’s face looked very beautiful because of that smile. A smile that added value to her appearance today. Unfortunately, the wedding to be held today wasn’t for her. Maybe the one praised wasn’t Ellie Cristina but Ellen Grace.

“The event will start soon. Did you leave anything behind? Oh, I remember, you’re a poor girl. You probably don’t have anything to bring. I have a bag. Here, I’ll give it to you. Do your best to play the bride today. Don’t disappoint us.”

“Thank you, Mme Debora.”

Debora looked at Ellie strangely, who was genuinely grateful just for being given a small bag. “Just giving that and she’s already so grateful!” Debora mocked. “Let’s go out! Many people are already waiting at the hall!”

Ellie followed behind.

***
Ellie lowered her head and only saw the long gown she was wearing stepping on the red carpet. Her head was covered by a wedding veil.

To her left was her foster mother, and to the other side, her foster father who accompanied and always supported her, even though he knew Ellie was only a substitute bride in the wedding that was about to take place.

The bridal procession and the typical wedding song adorned the crowded scene. Don't forget there were many eyes watching her here, including the media cameras broadcasting the wedding live like a national celebration.

The camera lights were too dazzling for Ellie, who had never entered a public place as the center of attention.

No one knew how many steps it took until her foster mother whispered, "Stop." Ellie stopped, and suddenly her hand was pulled by her foster father to be held by someone else.

From behind her wedding veil, Ellie saw a very handsome man with warm, large hands. Instantly, Ellie's eyes widened, and her heart pounded. 'Is this my husband? No, my foster sister's husband?' she wondered in her heart.

The handholding between Ellie and the man with large hands made Ellie even more nervous. The cold face of the man made Ellie feel that this man was not an ordinary person.

Ellie had never seen Jose before because she had always been in the kitchen preparing tea when the man visited the Grace household.

The tea would be delivered to the front by another servant because Mme Debora did not want Ellie to see how handsome the man who was to be Ellen's husband was.

But because of the situation, Debora had no choice but to let Ellie finally see Jose.

Jose gently pulled Ellie's hand, slowly guiding her feet up to the altar. The blessing prayer by the pastor and the recitation of sacred vows by Jose went smoothly. It was Ellie's turn, but the girl was too mesmerized by the man beside her to remember the words she had memorized all night.

"Um, I..."

Ellie struggled to remember her words. Sweat dripped from her forehead. She couldn't focus, especially as the man glanced at her impatiently.

"I take you to be my husband, to have and to hold from this day forward; for better or for worse, for richer or for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, until death do us part, according to God's holy law."

As she recited the sacred vows, Ellie's voice trembled with nervousness.

However, a sense of relief washed over Ellie once she finished her vows. Yet still, Ellie felt what she was doing was a mistake.

She looked at the man who had become her partner... Ah, she didn't know if Jose was her partner or not. In the civil record, her foster sister's name was clearly listed. But it was she who recited the sacred vows in front of the pastor and everyone in the luxurious palace-like building.

Ellie was startled when the man's large hand touched her waist. He pulled her close, making Ellie's heart race. The girl could even hear the man's breathing from behind her wedding veil, which covered her down to her chest.

Jose lifted the bride's veil, slowly leaned in, and kissed Ellie's forehead gently.

Ellie couldn't explain how she felt at that moment. All her life, Ellie had never been close to the opposite sex. No other man besides her foster father and the men in the Grace household.

And this could be said, it was her first time. Ellie was so dumbfounded like a fool who didn't know what to do. Her cheeks turned red, more prominent than the blush applied to them.

***

"You almost ruined everything, Ellie! All my hopes... our family's dreams, you almost destroyed!" screamed Mme Debora angrily at Ellie after the wedding ceremony ended. Of course, in a room that only contained Ellie, Mme Debora, her foster father, and a few people from the Grace family.

"Ma-ma'am, I'm sorry. Ellie was just... in awe of Mr. Jose," answered Ellie fearfully.

"In awe? Hahaha, in awe!" several people in the room laughed along with Mme Debora.

Except for Javen, Ellie's foster father, who couldn't do much because he was mute. Javen Grace was very sad about his wife's behavior, who ruled the Grace family like a queen who deserved to be respected and obeyed.

"Remember, Ellie Cristina. Do not put your heart into Mr. Jose because he will always belong to Ellen, my daughter! Never engage in intercourse because this marriage belongs to Ellen, not you. If you ever do that disgusting thing, don't expect your debt to our family to end!"

Ellie held back her heartache deeply. Yes, she knew. She would only be by the side of the man who had just recited sacred vows at the wedding altar for a short time. She hoped to do her best for this temporary marriage. But her foster mother's threat was truly suffocating. Now Ellie felt she had to change her course, restraining herself from love or a marital relationship if asked.