Chapter 43 — Beneath the Veil
Four Days Before The Wedding
At 8:00 AM –The final gown fitting took place at the De'ora's Mansion. A minor panic over the sleeve stitching was resolved in twelve minutes. At 10:30 AM – Andrea's tux adjustment was done at the Mist Estate. Aaron agreed.
At 1:00 PM — Both families had lunch together. A heated argument soon erupted over seating arrangements. Elara won. No one challenged her twice. At 4:00 PM – The venue floral inspection was done. Victoria had replaced half the centerpieces without consulting anyone.
At 7:30 PM – The first full ceremony rehearsal was done. Kingsley interrupted twice, so Lily confiscated his speaking rights.
At 11:45 PM – Late-night call between the bride and groom.
Five minutes of logistics. Twenty minutes of flirting.
Neither hangs up first.
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Three Days Before The Wedding
At 12:00 PM – There was a bachelor luncheon at Mist private lounge.
Dannon gives a speech. Lucas records everything. Jeff and Clay sat away from the chaos and drank to their heart's content.Andrea drinks once. Slowly.
Meanwhile at 3:00 PM – There was a bachelorette gathering at April's studio penthouse.
Music. Laughter. Champagne and friends
Melissa cries first.Emery and April did what they did best. They argued.
Victoria, tired, simply cuddled closer to Violet. Violet laughed the loudest.
At 6:00 PM in the De'ora's mansion– Surprise video message from overseas relatives happened. Kingsley pretends he is not emotional.
At 9:30 PM – Separate nights, both returned to their parents home as "tradition requires."
Andrea stares at the ceiling. Violet stares at her phone.
Neither sleeps early.
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Two Days to the Wedding
9:00 AM – The Legal documents were reviewed. Lawyers were dismissed. Everything was confirmed. There was no turning back now. At 12:00 PM – Final menu tasting at Aureline was done. Aaron adds one dish without telling anyone.
At 2:30 PM – The wedding walk-through happened with full lighting tests. April demands warmer tones. Emery agrees dramatically. At 5:00 PM – The gift deliveries arrived. Security is doubled.
At 8:00 PM – Quiet family dinner. No planners. No staff. Just immediate family.
Kingsley raises a toast.
Short. Gruff.
Sincere.
At 11:00 PM – Violet packs her final overnight bag at De'ora Mansion. At 11:20 PM – Kingsley stands at her doorway longer than usual.
By 11:45 PM — Andrea texted: "Two more days."
Violet replies: "I know"
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One Day Before The Wedding
Rest.
There was no chaos. No planners. No arguments. It was just quiet.
A spa morning for Violet. A calm afternoon for Andrea.
The city exhaled.
.
.
.
The Wedding
Morning light filtered softly through the tall windows of the bridal suite. The air smelled faintly of white roses and hairspray.
Violet sat before the mirror, the gown draped carefully around her like something sacred. The makeup artist worked in focused silence—foundation blended flawlessly, soft blush warming her cheeks, lashes darkened, lips painted a muted rose.
"You look perfect," the stylist whispered finally.
They adjusted the veil. Checked the contour one last time.
Then slowly, one by one, the room emptied. Leaving the last assistant
"Drink some water," the assistant said kindly, handing Violet a chilled glass.
Violet smiled. "Thank you."
"You're welcome". Replied the assistant before leaving.
The door clicked shut softly behind her.
Silence soon took over.
Violet took a slow sip out of the water.
It was Cool. Refreshing.
For a moment, she stared at her reflection.
The girl in the mirror looked breathtaking.
Calm. Radiant.
Ready.
Thirty minutes later. A soft knock interrupted the silence.
Lily stepped inside.
She paused when she saw Violet fully dressed, veils down.
Her eyes softened immediately.
"Oh…" Lily breathed. "My daughter."
Violet stood. The gown shimmered faintly as she moved.
Lily walked closer, adjusting the veil gently, smoothing an invisible crease on her shoulder.
"You're beautiful," she said quietly.
Violet replied hoarsely.
"Th–thank you."
Lily frowned slightly. "What's wrong with your voice?"
Violet cleared her throat. "Sore throat. I think I caught a chill."
Lily's expression turned concerned.
"You should've said something. I'll have someone bring warm tea."
"It's fine," Violet replied quickly. "It's nothing."
Lily studied her for half a second longer—then nodded.
"Come. Your father is waiting."
Both left the bridal suite.
Kingsley stood outside a few inches from the bridal room doors in a dark tailored suit.
The moment he saw her— He broke.
Not loudly. Not dramatically.
But his eyes filled instantly.
"Princess…" he muttered.
Violet stepped toward him.
He pulled her into a tight embrace, careful of the dress but unable to let go.
For a moment, neither spoke.
Then Kingsley exhaled shakily.
"I'm not ready to let you go, but I must. It's what you chose. Just know this no matter what,you will forever be my daughter, my little princess," he said roughly.
"I know," Violet answered softly. Awkwardly.
Kingsley wiped his face quickly, regaining composure.
"Let's go."
He said. Escorting her to the altar.
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
At the altar, Andrea stood perfectly still.
Calm. Controlled.
But his fingers flexed once at his side.The other hand adjusted his tie, more than once
The music began. The doors opened.
Every guest turned.
Violet stepped forward on her father's arm.
When Andrea saw her, his world narrowed to one point.
Her.
She walked toward him slowly, veil cascading behind her like falling light.
Kingsley's grip tightened slightly before he finally placed her hand into Andrea's.
Andrea's fingers closed around hers.
For a brief second— He paused. Something inside him tightened.
Her hand felt… colder than expected. Her grip—stronger.
Hungrier.
He ignored it. Because it was Violet.
It had to be.
"Nerves," he thought.
.
.
.
The priest began.
The vows were prepared.
Andrea said his with full confidence. When it was Violet's turn, she hesitated.
"May I… see the paper?" she asked quietly.
A few guests smiled. Nervous bride.
Understandable.
Emery handed it to her without question.
Her voice trembled slightly as she read.
Hoarse. Thin. Different. Andrea leaned closer.
"Your throat?" He asked
"Sore," she murmured.
He nodded, concerned but ignored it at the moment. though unease prickled beneath his skin.
The rings were soon exchanged. The ring slid onto her finger.
Applause swelled.
"By the power vested in me," the priest declared, "I now pronounce you husband and wife.
"You may kiss the bride."
Andrea reached for the veil lifting it slowly.
Before he could open it completely— The doors exploded open.
"STOP THIS WEDDING!"
The voice cut through the hall like shattered glass. Gasps erupted. Chairs scraped violently.
Andrea froze. He didn't turn. He didn't need to.
He knew that voice.
Slowly—slowly—he looked toward the entrance.
Violet stood there. Dressed in white.
Breathless.
Alive. Eyes blazing.
Andrea's blood turned to ice.
He tore his hand from the woman beside him as if burned.
"WHO ARE YOU?!" he roared.
The atmosphere changed instantly.
The girl on the altar slowly lifted the veil.
Deliberately.
The moment the veil was lifted, the truth spilled into the room.
Two identical faces.
One pale with fury. One curved in triumph.
Shock rippled outward like a detonation.
Andrea staggered back, horror dawning across his face.
"You." He paused "You're not dead."
Clara smiled wickedly. Not with tears.
Not with regret.
With victory.
"Surprise, dear husband," she said sweetly,
_________________________________________________________________________________________________
Claras POV
It was finally the day of the wedding.
Violet De'ora and Andrea Mist.
You might call it a sacred union. A celebration of love.
No no no.
It's nothing but A Lie.
Hidden inside the bridal suite, I stood before the mirror, gloved hands pressed lightly together beneath the veil.
How ironic, I thought.
That my entire fate depended on a single miracle from my mother's womb.
Identical twins.
Thank you, Mother.
Without that… none of this would be possible.
It wasn't easy getting to this point. Not at all.
We had to plan hard.Know the security routine. Know the staff routes. Blend in as staff..
The plan began the day I stepped on the ground of Migan City.
Four days ago, and now it's finally time to execute it.
The scent of roses and setting powder lingered in the air. Laughter echoed faintly beyond the door as the final touches were completed.
"You look perfect," the stylist said softly to Violet.
I watched from the adjoining service corridor through the barely cracked door.
Perfect.
Of course she did. I thought to myself
The makeup artists gathered their tools. The bridesmaids fluttered out with excited whispers. Footsteps faded.
The last make up artist paused. Gloria.
"Drink some water," she said kindly, offering Violet a chilled glass.
Violet smiled.
"Thank you."
"You're welcome". Replied Gloria as she left
The door closed. Silence settled.
The moment Violet drank the water, that was the moment I moved.
I entered quietly, removing my coat in one fluid motion.
Violet looked up—and froze.
"You."
No fear yet. Just surprise.
I smiled faintly.
"You didn't think I would miss this, did you?" I asked softly
Before she could step back, I activated my system.
A pulse. Invisible.
Targeted.
The suppressant surged through her bloodstream—absorbed instantly through the drugged water.
Violet's expression shifted.
Confusion. Then dizziness.
Her hand reached for the vanity.
"What did you—"
Her knees gave out.
I caught her before she hit the floor.
For a brief second, I studied my sister's face.
The face the world adored. The one he would always choose.
"Lucky," I whispered.
Then I struck her.
Once. Twice.
Not out of necessity. Out of resentment.
Violet went limp.
Efficient now, I worked quickly.
The gown was unfastened. Lifted. Slid away.
Fabric whispered as I stepped into it.
It fit almost perfectly.
A slight adjustment at the waist. A smooth tug at the shoulders.
I pulled the veil forward and turned to the mirror.
Violet's reflection stared back at me.
Soft. Radiant.
Beloved.
I practiced her smile.
Gentle. Slightly shy.
Perfect.
Behind me, the wardrobe doors opened.
Christopher stepped out from the concealed service corridor.
He didn't speak.
He lifted Violet's unconscious body carefully—like cargo, not a person.
I did not look at her again.
"She won't wake for at least two hours," I said quietly.
"That's enough," Christopher replied.
He wrapped Violet in a garment bag and disappeared through the service hallway.
The wardrobe door closed. The room returned to silence.
Then— A knock.
"Violet?" Our mother's voice called.
I lowered my gaze.
"Come in."
The door opened.
She stepped inside—and immediately softened.
"Oh… my beautiful girl."
For a dangerous second, I wondered—
If I lift the veil, will you still say that?
But Lily adjusted the fabric tenderly, smoothing a nonexistent crease.
"You sound strange," she said gently.
"Sore throat," I lied, light and quiet.
Concern flickered— but love blinded suspicion.
"Your father is waiting."She said as she took my hand in her hand.
I nodded.
Outside, Our dad stood rigid in his tailored suit.
The moment he saw her, well me...he broke.
Not loudly. But completely.
I'm not ready to let you go, but I must. It's what you chose. Just know this no matter what, you will forever be my daughter,my little princess," he said roughly.
"I know," I replied awkwardly.
He pulled me into his arms, trembling.
I felt his tears against my veil.
Violet is lucky, I thought bitterly.
Lucky to be loved without bleeding for it.
He escorted me down the aisle.
At the altar, Andrea my soon to be husband waited.
He stepped forward before the music finished, as though afraid I (she) might vanish.
His hand closed around mine.
Firm. Possessive.
We exchanged vows.
When it was my turn, I asked for the paper.
A nervous bride. Understandable.
But all I could think about was "I hope they didn't notice anything suspicious".
My voice was slightly on the hoarse side.
Andrea leaned closer.
"Your throat?"
"Sore," I lied again. The same lie.
He nodded, but didn't ask any other question.
The ring slid onto my finger.
Applause swelled.
"By the power vested in me," the priest declared, "I now pronounce you husband and wife."
My heart pounded.
Finally.
"You may kiss the bride."
Andrea reached for the veil. My veil.
Then—as he was about to open it, The doors exploded open.
"STOP THIS WEDDING!"
My sisters voice cut through the hall like shattered glass.
Gasps erupted. Chairs scraped violently.
"The truth was out" I thought. And so I shrugged it off. "Perfect timing. It only made my victory cleaner".
My now husband froze.
He didn't turn.He didn't need to.
He knew that voice. I knew he knew that voice.
Slowly—slowly—he looked toward the entrance.
He saw her, the woman he wanted to marry, the one I took her place standing there.
Breathless. Alive.
Eyes blazing.
His blood turned to ice. I'm sure it did.
He tore his hand from my hand as if it burned him.
"Who are you?!" he roared.
I felt it.
The exact second his soul recognized the difference.
I lifted the veil slowly.
Deliberately slow.
The truth spilled into the room.
Two identical faces.
Hers pale with fury. Mine curved in triumph.
Shock rippled outward like a detonation.
My husband staggered back, horror dawning across his face.
"You." He paused "You're not dead."
I was not surprised he thought I was dead.
I smiled. A smile I practiced for years, An eerie smile.
"SUPRISE, DEAR HUSBAND." I said sweetly.
"I think I like calling him husband. It makes me giddy". I thought to myself