The Bride They Rejected

g chandeliers. I stood beside Maxwell before the altar, my veil falling

ter, take Elena Jona

ice was smooth

me. "And do you, Elena, take Ma

the one I had loved and imagined my future with. His hand held mine tightly, and

my hand away. "No," I said softly. His smile dis

ed calm; yesterday, I had still believed in that future, havi

st hours ago, I stood in front of the mirror, the seamstre

e to tell my story. My reflection staring

ind like a gentle melody, carrying every dream I'd hidde

oice said behind me. I blinked as I turned to see Anne, my

trying to hide how much the compliment wa

es you," Anne replied, and we both smiled as she strode towards me, studying my dress carefully.

eady," she said, snapping me from my thoughts.

my life with Max. Unable to contain my excitement, I decided to surprise Maxwell. Though it w

ing with preparation. I slipped into my car and called him on the

ile spread across my lips as I imagined him flinging the

eager to record the very last happy me

e moment I reached for the doorknob, my hand froze

as Anne here instead of the pastry shop? I could see the pieces of the puzzle fit

be it. But before the comforting lie could settle in, a loud, feminine

f the unlatched door, th

made me freeze. She was half naked, lying beside Maxwell on the bed while

en every smile, every promise, and every single time Maxwell had look

nd despair. I wanted to burst through the door and sh

d chosen for me and would never believe Anne could betray me like this.

e device that was supposed to capture Maxwel's first reaction and the romantic moment when he s

I wanted to run, to disappear before they even saw me,

o

tears and tapped the frame of the glasses to start recording. I carefully slid them onto a

to start having a fulfilling life after." Anne mim

oke, the words sliced into me, and the tears I had

er disdain. I never loved her, though. The only reason I'm doi

o breathe. Is this what he thought of me? Stupid, a f

axwell; what should have been a quiet evening of excitement turned into un

......

ble altar, my plan for r

t cathedral, clear and strong. He

e altar. Just as he opened his mouth to speak again, a loud crac

flickered to life, casting a chilling video ac

red on it. Maxwell stared, his eyebrow furrowed in confusion; Anne w

vered her mouth, followed

way from his seat before

s, his eyes widening in hor

is voice came through the speakers, describing how he wanted to use the we

she stood frozen among the b

dy moved. His eyes darted toward the back of the

f. "W-What is happening? This can't be real!" His voice tre

aced with a cold stare. I remained silent

p inside me, I remained calm, with no tears or trembli

glance briefly at the screen before looking back into his eyes. My v