Her Accidental Husband

"What she was thinking! Was she going to keep it to her forever?"

"Does she not know what she is doing is purely a crime!"

"How can someone be so eager to climb up on the social ladder like this! Did she think nobody will know anything about her doings!"

"Nowadays the kids are so impatient. They don't even think about what they're doing. Even for such an important thing, they can't even wait to ask their elders for consent."

"How can someone from Smith's family do this! Doesn't she even have some sense of shame! Didn't she know what she's gonna bring upon her family!"

"Don't you know that she's adopted. She is definitely not a Smith by birth. Who knows, she's showing her true nature of her roots."

"You're right, what should we expect from someone picked up from trash. Surely, she's showing the nature of her roots."

The celebration had stopped sometime ago. The music, the laughter, the teasing and the sound of clinking glasses were stopped abruptly. Instead, the atmosphere was tense. Everyone in the community hall gathered at the center of the hall. They were talking among themselves, making rather hateful comments. The engagement party suddenly became a debate stage for critics.

And at whom all the comments were passed to, she stood bewildered among them, unable to understand the circumstances properly. 

"Chloe, are you planning to stay quiet forever? Explain this."

Mrs. Miller, threw a piece of paper upon her, saying those words in a harsh, demanding voice. But Chloe, who was so immersed in her thoughts, could not catch it, and it fell on the ground.

"Chloe!"

Mrs. Miller's loud voice brought her back to her senses. She looked at her once, then glanced at the paper lying before her feet. Bending down, she picked it up. It was a certificate, or better said,

A marriage certificate!

There were so many things written on the certificate, but the only thing that caught her attention was, the names.

Bride: Chloe Smith

Groom: Brandon Reed

The first name was indeed hers, but the other name...

Brandon Reed. Who was he! She tried to remember for a while, but couldn't. She had never met someone named Brandon Reed.

And the most important question was, when did she get married? She got married and she herself didn't know!

"Chloe, answer me."

Mrs. Miller's voice was again heard.

"Aunty, I really don't know what's going on, and from where did the certificate come. I have no idea."

"At this point, still you're denying! The certificate contains your name, it was found in your closet's drawer, still you have the nerve to say that you don't know anything!"

Chloe looked helplessly around her. A little far away, her parents; Mr. and Mrs. Smith were standing cluelessly. Beside them, there was her elder brother, Chase, who was also completely clueless. In other times, he would defend his sister, but now he couldn't decide what to do.

She scanned the whole community hall. Everyone around her was standing with a skeptical look at her. It could be told easily that no one actually believed what she said a while ago.

Suddenly her eyes fell on her younger sister, Clara. She was standing leaning on a pillar, with her hands crossed. On her face, neither was a sign of concern nor astonishment, as if she was enjoying a show. Well, she never kind of liked her ever.

After having a good look at all, she sighed. Her mind recapitulated everything that happened a while ago.

.....

Today, was her engagement day, an engagement between Chole Smith- the daughter of the Smith family, and Carl Miller- the first son of Mr. and Mrs. Miller, the heir of the Miller group.

Chloe and Carl were high school friends. They brought up, and spent a significant time of their life together. Both Miller and Smith family were well known in the town, and got well with each other. That was why when the engagement between Carl and Chloe was proposed, their was not much of a problem, and she happily agreed.

Both of them were quite compatible, and they started seeing each other. After dating almost two years, today they were getting engaged. The engagement party was huge, and most of the elite and influential people of the town was present there.

Chloe was happy today. Carl was not bad, he treated her well. They were childhood friends and soon to be turned into couple, it was like a fictional story to her.

She was up early, and she really put an effort to get ready.

She remembered.

When they reached the venue, and went to the private room booked for her to have a last minute touch-up, Carl sneaked in.

"You are glowing, Chloe!"

He remarked, leaning on the closed door. Chloe blushed. She looked at her in the mirror.

The white gown, pearl jewellery, minimal soft makeup and the loosely tied hair - everything was done neatly.

"Let's go."

He grabbed her hand and went downstairs. After reaching the hall, they headed towards the stage, which was adorned with delicate flowers and origami designs. The blue lights made it look cooler. The venue theme was white, and the event planner indeed followed the them, making it a snowy dreamland.

As they settled on the stage, Chase announced.

"Ladies and gentlemen, thank you for coming today and shower blessings on the couple. As Chloe's brother, it's my honor to stand here today and celebrate the love between my sister and Carl. And now, we welcome Carl into our family with open arms. Let's proceed with the ring exchange, a symbol of their eternal bond."

Both Chloe and Carl chuckled. As they stood in front of each other, a small tray covered with rose petals was presented before them. They were two opened boxes, containing two diamond rings. The rings were sparkling, as the stage light fell on them. Chloe smiled and reached out to pick one, suddenly -

"Stop!"

Suddenly someone screamed from far away. She looked at the door, and found Mrs. Miller, standing at the door, looking at her furiously!

She took big steps and reached forward. Upon reaching in front of her, she stopped. She stood silent for some seconds, then asked her in a loud, hoarse, and clear voice.

"How can you get engaged to my son, when you're already married?"