Chapter 15 " And the second winner of the competition , the girl who will marry Nathan Ashford is none other than April Farrabe A large spotlight appears over my head , and a deafening roar from an invisible crowd erupts . With my heart beating wildly in my throat , I step forward towards Nathan , who waits for me . Standing upon a raised dais , dressed in an immaculate black tuxedo , he stretches his hand out to me , a polite smile on his face , I reach out and take his hand , shaking all over . That's when I realize I'm in a wedding dress , and we're no longer in the hall but in a church , standing in front of a faceless priest . " Do you , April Lilian Farrah , take Nathan Edward Ashford to be your lawfully wedded husband , for better or worse , in sickness and in health , till death do you part ? " I gaze up at his gorgeous green eyes , and my answer is immediate : " I do . " " And do you , Nathan Edward Ashford take April Lillian Farrah to be your lawfully wedded bride , for better or worse , in sickness and in health , till death do you part ? " Nathan squeezes my hand and leans forward . His lips brush the shell of my ear , causing a shiver to run down my spine . " You really are audacious , April , " he whispers . " Audacious and delusional . " Then he pulls back and gives me the widest , most sinister grin I've ever seen before announcing to the entire church : " I. Would . Rather . Eat . Shit . " 320 I violently jolt awake to the sound of knocking and the sensation of June using the bed as a trampoline . " It's today ! " she squeals excitedly as she bounces , oblivious to the bleary - eyed mess I am . The door opens as I sit up , and the usual stylists and makeup artists file in . Soon , in a flurry of activity , I'm getting ready for today's event - our first public appearance . While they poke and prod and fuss over me , my masochistic mind drifts back to the dream , tormenting me with every second of it . Audacious and delusional . I am those things , to even dare to dream that I could win and become Nathan's wife . I should just focus on the benefits of being here - June's health and care have never been easier on me . Even my personal well - being has never been better . Being able to eat three square meals again and not having to worry about school , tuition , or shitty jobs with handsy professors , I've actually gained weight , and with all the intimate care and treatment , my skin is glowing , and I look happy . That's enough . I don't need to go having pipe dreams about winning this impossible competition . Take care of June , take advantage of the Ashfords ' wealth . Go home with my dignity intact . When all the flurry fades away , and I'm left standing in front of the mirror , I can almost imagine I'm someone else , someone who all this glamor fits . My dress is a stunning navy blue , and the material shimmers when I move , so it looks like I'm wearing the night sky . The dress cinches my upper body , the back open to my waist before flowing down my legs . My blonde curls are in a half - up , half - down style , with curly wisps framing my face . I look beautiful . But then I step into the grand living room , and my ego deflates a little . Every girl looks just as gorgeous - even more so - as I do . Valerie , especially , looks like a literal diamond in her sparkly silver dress and met gala makeup . She holds court at the far side of the room , flanked by two girls - most likely her new ' allies . ' 1/2 P P Chapter 15 Tearing my envious gaze from her , I search the room for Eliza . But my attention is immediately drawn to the living room door when I collective gasp echoes through the room . And when I turn , my gasp joins the chorus in the room . The girl standing in the living room doorway quite literally takes my breath away . I've never seen her before , which means she hasn't been staying in the mansion because there is no way I could have glossed over a girl who looks like that . " That's Lara Ellington , " a girl whispers behind me as the girl - Lara - walks into the living room , a personal maid trailing behind her , " I heard she's been training separately , in her family's mansion , " another girl replies . " Why hasn't she been here with us ? " " Are you kidding ? She's the youngest daughter of the Ellingtons . They're second only to the Ashfords in Chicago , she makes the rest of us look like poor rats . We might as well scramble for the remaining two positions . " " True , I heard that her father already met with Samuel Ashford . " I watch Lara Ellington out of the corner of my eyes as more whispers fly around me . Dressed in a pure white A - line dress and an actual diamond tiara on her head , she might as well be announcing herself as a bonafide bride . She sits with a grace and poise you can only be born with - and she's so unbelievably stunning . This is who has a chance with an Ashford . Not someone like me . I could never stand next to her . Forcing my gaze away from Lara , I look for Eliza again . I find her at the far side of the room , standing alone and I can see her shyness getting the better of her . However , before I can head over and keep my new friend company , Easton walks in and , as per usual , claps his hand to get everyone's attention . I notice him bow to Lara especially , once again cementing the fact that she's levels above us , not only in beauty and grace but class as well . " It is time , " he announces . My nerves return in full force despite telling myself that I have no need to be nervous . I'm not in this competition - not really . I should just sit back and relax . Still , my heart thunders as we line up like we practiced yesterday . With Lara at the head of the line and June behind me , clutching the back of my dress lightly , we head into the grand ballroom , where I can hear the sounds of the reporters talking and the cameras being set up . Here goes nothing . Chapter Comments 63 Discover our latest featured short drama reel. Watch now and enjoy the story!