010

I sat in silence, staring into the mirror. The room was quiet except for the soft brushing sound of the makeup artist's brush as she touched the corner of my lips. My hands rested on my lap, fingers tangled together. I could hear my heartbeat. It felt like déjà vu. But this time, I wasn't scared. I had done this before, sat in a white gown, smiling, pretending everything was fine. I had once believed in fairy tales, believed love would save me. And then, I was left bleeding by a pool, discarded like I was nothing. Now, I'm back. And today... I'm going to do it right. I'm going to show every single person that I'm not the girl they tried to bury. I'm going to expose them. I'm going to burn the lies they built over my name. "Everything's set," the stylist said softly, pulling away and stepping back to admire her work. "You look... breathtaking." I nodded faintly, eyes still locked on my reflection. "Thanks." The door opened gently, and a woman stepped in, dressed in all black and with an earpiece in her ear. She smiled softly at me. "It's time." I took a slow breath. One last inhale before it all begins. The assistant and stylist moved toward me, carefully fixing the lower hem of the dress, adjusting the veil that flowed softly from my hair. Everything was ready. I stood slowly. My heels touched the floor with a soft click. My back straightened. Shoulders high. I turned toward the hallway. The doors opened. And everything went quiet. The long red carpet stretched out before me, lined with flowers, with the golden light of chandeliers reflecting across the vast hall. The seats were filled with people, powerful people. CEOs, politicians, and media executives, all dressed in dark suits and expensive dresses. The same people who were present at my last wedding. But this time... they rose to their feet. This time, they weren't watching a bride, they were watching a storm. My eyes scanned the room. Then I saw them. Lucy. Daniel. My so-called parents. Lucy sat two rows from the front, her hands resting on her stomach like she was trying to hide it. She had on a tight emerald dress, but her face was pale. Her eyes widened the second she saw me. Her jaw dropped slightly, and her back straightened like she'd seen a ghost. A mix of panic, disbelief, and something else, jealousy washed over her face. I saw it clearly. Her eyes dropped to my dress, my body, my presence. She looked like she wanted to scream. Daniel looked worse. His eyes locked on me and didn't blink. His entire face stiffened, and his mouth parted slightly in shock. He leaned forward like he needed to confirm I was real. Like he couldn't understand how I was standing here, walking toward a wedding that didn't include him. My parents sat beside them. Mr. and Mrs. Blackwood. They looked stiff, awkward. My mother clutched her purse tightly, and my father's lips were pressed into a hard line. I walked right past them. My eyes didn't flinch. My steps didn't break. I didn't smile. I just walked with my head held high, heart steady. Let them watch. Let them feel the heat of the fire they tried to start. At the end of the aisle, Benjamin stood on the platform, waiting. He wore a black tailored suit, a sharp white shirt beneath. No tie. Just clean and calm like always. But his eyes... His eyes were different today. They weren't just calm. They were full. He looked at me like I was something he had waited years for. Like he was proud, amazed, and maybe, just maybe a little sad. There was a flicker in his expression I couldn't quite read. A pain maybe. But he covered it with a slow smile. I reached him. He stepped forward and offered his hand. I placed mine in his, and his grip was warm, steady. "You look so beautiful," he whispered, eyes not leaving mine. I smiled softly. "Thank you. You look good too." The pastor stepped forward, smiling gently. The crowd settled into their seats, and everything faded into silence. He spoke the vows slowly. Clearly. We repeated after him, slow, careful words about trust, partnership, growth, loyalty, and forever. Then, the pastor paused. "You may now kiss the bride." My heart skipped. Benjamin turned to me, a little closer now. His hand cupped my cheek, his thumb brushing gently against my skin. He leaned in slowly, not asking, just waiting. And I met him halfway. His lips touched mine gently. Then slowly became more intense. The world fell away. For a moment, it was just us. My heart beat faster. My hands held onto his jacket without even realizing it. I wasn't afraid. I didn't feel unsure. I just... felt something real and new. We pulled apart slowly, eyes meeting again. And in that moment, everything felt good. The pastor raised his voice. "I now pronounce you husband and wife." The crowd clapped. We turned to face them, hands still locked. But I didn't smile widely. Not yet. Benjamin squeezed my hand gently. I took a step forward as the mic was brought to me. I took it slowly and held it tight. I was kind of nervous now. The applause died down. "Thank you," I said, my voice calm. "Thank you all for coming to celebrate with us today. I'm truly honored to have you here." My eyes swept the room. They landed directly on Lucy. On Daniel. On my parents. All of them were frozen. Lucy's face had gone pale again. Daniel looked like he wanted to leave. My mother wouldn't meet my eyes. I smiled, and my expression was calm and cold. "But before we continue this celebration... I have something to say." Gasps moved through the room softly. Lucy shifted in her seat. Daniel sat up straighter. Benjamin didn't move. And I kept my eyes right on them. "This won't take long," I said. "But it's something that needs to be said. Today. Right here."