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I Do

ELEANOR

“I do.”

There were so many people I did not know sitting in seats as witnesses to the wedding.

It took a lot of courage for me to say the words "I do," and now I was waiting for the man who would become my husband to make his vows, even if they were not genuine and honest.

"Put the ring in her finger," the priest, who had been summoned by a church to join us, handed over a ring to Raymond, who accepted it with a smile on his face. "It is a representation of love, trust, kindness, and, of course, marriage."

For one brief moment, our gazes were locked.

Was this really something I wanted to do?

The hospital bills had been paid, and my child was being cared for by a nanny hired days after I moved in with Raymond.

Surprisingly, on the same day as my wedding to a man I have no feelings for, the man I do love will marry someone else.

What would the public say?

"You should not care!" My inner thoughts pleaded.

"You deserve to plunge a knife deep into his heart and abandon your feelings for him. Did you suddenly forget everything he has done to you, Eleanor?" The voice inquired, and I extended my wedding finger, ready to receive the ring.

"I, Raymond Jefferson, take Eleanor Jackson as my wife today," the man repeated after the priest. "—to love and cherish you the way a man would his wife. "I will always love you, for better or worse."

Lies!

All lies!

There were no differences among men.

These were the words Andrew spoke to me in front of hundreds of people, including guests and family members who had come to celebrate the occasion.

So, now what?

Where have I landed?

"Now it is your turn, Eleanor." The priest's scanty voice crept into my mind. "Take this ring and repeat what I say."

"I, Eleanor Jackson, accept Raymond Jefferson as my husband on this day," I repeated after the priest, "—to love and cherish you as a woman would her husband. I will always love you, for better or worse."

After a few more touches, the ring came into contact with the tips of our fingers.

It was a bad feeling, but what could I do? Raymond must protect his investment, just as I required his assistance to save Daisy, who could have died.

"I now pronounce both of you as husband and wife."

People seated as witnesses applauded.

An elderly man I had seen a few days before the wedding clapped the loudest, and I looked to Raymond, who smiled with a nod that could have been translated as "Thank you for doing this with me."

We walked together as husband and wife with a magistrate who handed us our marriage certificate. Grandfather, the old man who had just clapped as if he would never do so again, was given a copy of the certificate, and we were finally told to go home because the deed had been completed.

“Eleanor honey. Welcome to the family. It is large and spacious enough to accommodate us and the many children you will have for my grandson soon."

What was the most appropriate reaction to his words?

"Thank you, Dad," it did not come out right, but I tried. "It is a pleasure to be a part of such a large family, and I am looking forward to bonding with you and the others. Raymond has made numerous comments about you."

The few people who had come to witness the court wedding had left, and a man who looked almost identical to my husband led his way into the space.

"What is the accuracy here?" He asked Raymond, who was more focused on getting me to the car that would take us back home.

"Tell me something, Raymond!"

“Is this some joke?”

"How did you get married?"

He yelled at the top of his lungs, and when I looked to my left, there was a woman with a crew behind her, numerous microphones and cameras everywhere.

"We would like you to tell us how this happened, Mr. Jefferson," the slim woman demanded. "How come you are suddenly married? Is this a contractual agreement with Mrs. Hoover, whose husband is also marrying another woman on this day?”

"I have nothing to say to you," Raymond paused in his tracks. "What matters is that I am married and can now keep all of my investments solely in my name. What is the significance of a contracted marriage in this situation? Why do not you do the research yourself and leave me alone, young lady?"

"You understand the law of this country," she pursued him. "It is not acceptable to marry by contract solely to acquire an investment or property. I believe you are aware of the rules and would not dare to break them, Mr. Raymond Jefferson.”

"The woman I married is my wife, and I love her." He spoke, and the driver opened the door from behind. "We are in love. I do not think I would marry a woman I do not love, what do you think?" He looked at me with a fake smile, afraid of being caught.

What exactly was I getting into?

Goodness gracious.

The slim lady gave up, but the cameramen continued to take as many shots as possible.

It was not a pleasant feeling or experience, but what could I do? I should complain, but my signature on the document is sufficient proof and authorization to keep me quiet for a long time.

Two years.

I was sitting in the car when his doppelgänger's voice approached him. “This is not the end, Raymond! You should watch me and wait for me come for you and everything I own, Raymond!" He shouted again, then walked away like a loser.

"Start the car," Raymond instructed. "It is a good thing Dad is not here to see how disruptive one of his sons has become. Grandad is also not present, which is a good thing. Please take me home already. I believe both my wife and I have had a long day."

Of course I have.

Was that everything?

Did not I deserve some sort of explanation?

Who exactly was that man?

What exactly does he want?

Is my newlywed husband a thief or what? I wondered with these and other questions swirling around in my head, while I searched my mind for an answer.

I struggled to adjust to everything in my new home.

How and where should I start? Daisy, the baby, was also not helping. She yelled and cried at every opportunity, ruining my mood with wishes for me to take her out after Andrew made an indirect remark about her while I was pregnant.

Was he aware he would do this to me?

My phone started beeping.

A distraction, finally.

When I picked it up, I looked at the screen and moped. This was not a distraction, after all. It was none other than pictures of Andrew and his newlywed wife that were floating around the internet.

How did it make its way to me?

Was I still following him on his social media accounts? I checked and unfollowed right away, but it was difficult to take my gaze away from the beautifully photographed images of himself and the new woman, who may or may not be fortunate.

For all I care, that should have been me.

I should be the one smiling that way, not another woman who should not be anywhere near him.

In comparison to my court experience, the pictures were perfect.

The nagging man.

Artificial smiles.

The press saga, also.

He might dump her, as he did with me.

Is she even aware of his previous marriage or relationship with me?

Wait!

Was not this why he never wanted us to flaunt our love for each other in public?

What did I do to myself?

After putting the baby in her cot, I dropped the phone on the bed and sighed, then fell on it.

A knock at the door drew my attention, so I sat up to adjust the edges of my outfit.

"Yes, please come in." I replied, taking the baby in my arms for no apparent reason. Perhaps I was scared of Raymond, despite the fact that he would never hurt me.

"The boss requested that I notify you of an upcoming event to which you both will attend in a few hours."

What?

It had not even been 24 hours since we finished our wedding!

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