Chapter 231: The Wedding Ceremony
Martina flung Hannah's hand away. She didn't dare strike Susan again, merely saying, "Susan, wait and see. After marrying Manuel, you'll never be happy!"
Susan, already unhappy, dismissed this as no threat. She turned to Hannah, her sweetly aggressive friend. Once submissive to Martina, Hannah now seemed impervious to bullying.
"Hannah," Susan said, "tell me your secret. I want to learn."
"You don't need to."
"Do you think I'm incapable?" Susan demanded.
"I'll protect you," Hannah replied softly. Susan was touched. "Hannah," she confessed, "if you were a man, I wouldn't even look at Manuel or Henry. I'd marry you."
Hannah chuckled. Then, noticing Susan's sudden gloom—likely due to mentioning Henry—she added, "Don't cry. Your makeup will be ruined."
Susan stared, battling emotion before regaining control. The die was cast; regardless of regret or reluctance, the wedding would proceed.
At noon, Susan reluctantly arrived at the wedding venue. Guests were seated, awaiting the ceremony. Hannah accompanied Susan to the castle-like altar, then returned to her seat, finding Oscar beside her.
Hannah frowned. "Why are you here?"
"Hannah, do you think I'm a disgrace?"
Hannah remained silent. She chose to ignore Oscar, focusing on the bride and groom.
Manuel arrived in a wheelchair, impeccably dressed in a white suit and black bow tie. Despite his confinement, his handsome demeanor and evident purity of spirit made Hannah feel the marriage would somehow tarnish him.
"He looks better than me?" Oscar abruptly asked.
Startled back to the present, Hannah was speechless.
"Don't stare at other men, not even Manuel," Oscar stated calmly.
Could this man be any more possessive? I don't forbid him from looking at other women. Though, admittedly, I've never seen him do so, at least not since the wedding, Hannah mused. But it didn't matter; their marriage was a convenience, not a binding commitment. And what did he mean by "not even Manuel"? It implied Manuel was his most trusted confidant, and he wouldn't permit her to look at him, let alone other men.
Hannah inhaled deeply. What exactly was the relationship between Manuel and Oscar? The question gnawed at her, threatening to drive her mad.
The Wedding March began. Susan, on Edward's arm, walked the red carpet towards Manuel. Pink rose petals swirled romantically, though Susan loathed these wedding flourishes; they only heightened her apprehension.
Reaching Manuel, Edward relinquished Susan's hand. She rejected it, her reluctance evident. Manuel didn't insist, lowering his hand. Edward patted Manuel's shoulder and left, leaving only Manuel, Susan, and the priest. All eyes were on them.
Then, to everyone's astonishment, Manuel, who'd been in a serious car accident and advised to stay in bed, rose from his wheelchair with the aid of his cane. He stood beside Susan, smiling, pain absent from his face. Their height and build made them a striking pair. Susan, witnessing this, suppressed her impulse to speak.
The priest announced, "The wedding ceremony begins now." Applause erupted, which Susan found intensely irritating.
He began the ceremony, pausing for objections. Silence reigned. Susan mused that even a late arrival by Henry, urging her to flee, would find her compliant.
The priest addressed Susan, posing the traditional vows. Susan remained silent. Manuel's lips tightened. The priest, slightly embarrassed, repeated the question.
"If I say 'no,' can I not get married?" Susan asked.
A murmur rippled through the guests.
"I do," Susan declared firmly.
Even the priest perspired; he'd never encountered such an unconventional bride.
Manuel also affirmed his vows. The priest announced the ring exchange. Leaning on his wheelchair, Manuel turned to Susan, who observed him closely for the first time. The car accident scars were gone, seemingly deliberately concealed.
And Manuel looked… Susan's gaze drifted. Handsome as he was, he was still a villain. A wedding ring was presented. Manuel took one, calling out, "Susan." The sound of his voice transformed her name into a word of love.