Catherine's POV
"Do you take Catherine McLane as your lawful wife, to love and to cherish in health and in wealth?"
As I heard the priest ask the question, my heart dropped to the pit of my stomach.
Just last night I had caught him, Dane and my sister in bed together and that isn't something I would imagine to ever happen.
On the night before our wedding, just a few hours ago. But I love him too much.
I could not even expose or confront them.
"No"
Dane's masculine voice jolted me out of my thoughts.
My eyes searched his as I couldn't believe my ears, his blue eyes stared back at me in defiance.
"What?" The priest also asked in shock.
The few guests we have witnessed also gasped in horror.
"I, Dane Ferdinando, do not take Catherine McLane as my wife". He repeated, louder this time.
"What are you doing?!" I whispered- yelled in panic, my palms had immediately become sweaty in just seconds.
My eyes began to sting as I felt tears filling up on them.
"I'm sorry Catherine but I have to go" Dane said with a smile that turned to smirk before he nodded at the priest and bolted out of the hall.
Time stood still for a few seconds before the dam broke, the guests broke into loud murmurs of discussion.
I stood there at the altar in my big, custom made wedding dress that cost a fortune.
My hands began to shake and the ground became unstable under my feet.
Maybe it should swallow me whole, I would prefer that to this.
"Kate!
Let me help you out of here"
Shayne, my only friend, hurried to my side.
"Shayne, Dane just left. Please help me get him. The priest is waiting" I said frantically and pointing towards the door.
"No, Kate, I..I can't get him" She replied, her words were like cold water bringing me out of deep slumber.
Mum and Dad approached me, the expressions on their faces were full of disappointment.
"We will finish this at home!" Dad spat angrily at me before walking out.
Mom followed him without a word, and the guests left almost immediately.
"I have prepared a car. Let's go" Shayne returned to help me out of the hall.
Dropping the bouquet of flowers that I held, I gathered my gown and walked hurriedly out of the hall in the ruins of the love I had believed so much in.
***
"What did I tell you about this marriage?
It's more than just a wedding, I have been planning this for over ten years. And you ruin it at the last moment!" Dad's loud voice yelled and boom through the four corners of my room.
Dane and I have known each other since high school, we were just friends then and we slowly grew close over the next few years.
Dad approved of us dating even when I thought he would refuse and I always thought he liked Dane a lot but it seems I was wrong.
Dane's family is wealthier than us, his father owns a chain of hotels and other businesses but my family, despite not being poor, is only a small fry beside them.
I loved him but not because of his money or status.
"Honey, calm down. I'm sure we can fix this" Mom's voice intercepted his outburst and he turned to her with a fierce look in his eyes.
"You better fix it or your useless daughter will be out of this house immediately!" He yelled before walking away angrily without looking back.
Mum turned to face me after he left, her expression not different from his.
"What did you do to make him angry?" She asked without a pause.
"Make him angry?
No, I did not do anything" I replied weakly.
I do not know how to tell her the truth, even though I had saw him in bed with my own sister,
I kept quiet because I could not bear to confront him.
"I don't trust you, I will try to invite him tomorrow morning. Better be ready to beg him, even kneel before him if possible" Mom uttered sternly before she also left angrily.
I sat alone on my bed after they've all left.
The world seems to have crumble around me.
All the years I have believed myself to be in love but it was all a lie, an illusion at best.
I cried myself to sleep and woke up to Mom's loud voice.
"Dane is on his way, get down for breakfast now!" She yelled pulling the covers away from my body.
I got down to the dining area after a few minutes rushing to put myself in a presentable state. I don't care what I looked like but there is no way I am apologizing to him.
I'm not wrong, he is.
"Catherine, why don't you sit beside Dane" Mom said and everyone paused except Dad.
Dane and my sister, Anna had been talking in hushed tones from across the table and the maid was serving the food. Dad had a nonchalant look on his face.
"No, Mom, I want to sit beside him." Anna said hurriedly and sat beside him.
Mom smiled awkwardly at them and I sat where Anna had just vacated.
My stomach grumbles at the sight of the food but I have no real appetite for food.
"Catherine, now do what I asked" Mom said suddenly with a smile and I know what she is talking about.
"Mom, Dad, I have something to tell you" Anna spoke up almost immediately, interrupting Mom.
Dad's eyes turned to her and Mom also looked at her in expectation.
"Dane and I, want to get married" she said eagerly with a smile.
"What?"