Nadine 002

The thought of exposing Jake and Nathalie fills me with grim satisfaction. I replaced the original wedding video with a recording I secretly made of their betrayal yesterday. As the footage begins to play, shocked gasps ripple through the crowd. Heads turn, eyes wide, as Jake and Nathalie’s intimate moment fills the screen.

I turn to face them, savoring the look of horror on their faces. Jake’s eyes are huge, his mouth hanging open as if words have failed him. Nathalie’s face drains of color. “You... you did this?” she stammers, voice trembling.

Calmly, I lean in and whisper, “Yes, I did.”

The murmur of disbelief around me grows louder, and guilt starts to creep in. This was supposed to be a day of joy, but I’ve turned it into a spectacle. My heart aches with conflicting emotions as I gather my gown and run from the venue. But I freeze when I sense someone watching me.

A man stands at the edge of the crowd, his gaze locked on mine. Something is unsettling about the way he smiles, like he’s seeing through every mask I wear. His presence sends a chill down my spine.

“Nadine!” Sydney’s voice snaps me out of my daze. I tear my eyes away from the stranger and bolt back to my room. Once inside, I slump to the floor, my chest tightening as sobs wrack my body.

Sydney slips in quietly and wraps her arms around me, holding me without a word. Her silence only makes me cry harder. “I can’t keep running from this, Sydney,” I whisper between sobs. “I need to face it.”

“I’ll be right here for you,” she murmurs, squeezing my hand.

Suddenly, the door bursts open, and our father storms in, his face flushed with anger. “What the hell were you thinking?” he roars. “Do you know what you’ve done? You’ve dragged our family’s name through the mud! I expected better from you, Nadine.”

He looms over me, fury radiating off him. “When you found out, why didn’t you come to me?”

I lift my tear-streaked face, voice breaking. “Dad, I’m hurt. You know how much I loved Jake.”

His expression hardens. “I don’t care!” he snaps. “You have to go back and marry him. This wedding needs to happen.”

My chest tightens with disbelief. I drop to my knees, clutching his leg desperately. “Dad, please,” I beg. “I can’t marry him. I’ll never be happy.”

He shakes me off with a scowl. “Stop this nonsense! This marriage is our lifeline. Jake’s family’s power and wealth are the only things standing between us and bankruptcy. Don’t you understand?”

The world spins around me. “Please, Dad, I can’t.”

His response is cold and final. “If you won’t marry him, Nathalie will.”

His words slice through me like a blade. “Nathalie?” I whisper, staring up at him in shock.

“Yes,” he says, his tone unyielding. “If you don’t go through with it, she will.”

I watch, stunned, as he storms out, leaving me shattered. Sydney pulls me into her arms again as fresh sobs wrack my body. This can’t be real. I can’t believe my life has come to this.

Time slips by in a blur of tears and silence. Finally, I lift my head, wiping my face with trembling hands. “I need to see it,” I murmur.

Sydney’s eyes widen. “Are you sure?”

I nod slowly. “I need to see it for myself.”

I change into a simple dress, brush my hair, and apply some makeup with shaking hands. Sydney watches me through the mirror, her gaze filled with concern. “You don’t have to do this,” she whispers.

“Yes, I do.” I take a deep breath and walk out with her, slipping back into the crowd at the venue. No one notices us; they’re too focused on the event.

Jake’s voice booms over the chatter. “Ladies and gentlemen, thank you for your patience. The wedding will continue as planned.”

My fists clench as I watch him, rage bubbling up again. I want to rip that smug smile off his face. Then, I see my father escorting Nathalie down the aisle. She looks radiant in the wedding gown, and for a moment, it’s like I’m looking at myself. Our resemblance is uncanny—we’re identical twins, after all. Only those closest to us can tell us apart.

They say their vows and promises forever, and the officiant declares them husband and wife. The guests applaud, oblivious to the agony ripping through me. I sit in the corner, drowning in misery, the weight of my decision suffocating me.

At the reception, I grab glass after glass of champagne, numbing myself. The buzz in my head is welcome, dulling the sharp pain. Then I spot him—the man from earlier. He’s standing across the room, tall and broad-shouldered, exuding confidence. His piercing blue eyes meet mine, and a slow, knowing smile spreads across his face.

He makes his way over, his presence magnetic. Up close, he’s even more striking—strong jaw, perfectly tailored suit, a commanding aura that draws every eye. My pulse quickens as he stops in front of me.

“Hello, beautiful,” he says, his voice smooth and rich.

“Hi,” I reply, words slurring slightly. “You’re... really good-looking.”

His smile widens, dimples appearing. “Thank you.”

I lean in, placing a hand on his chest, feeling the solid strength beneath his suit. “It’s hot in here,” I murmur. “Maybe we should... find somewhere quieter.”

His gaze darkens, but his smile remains. He offers me his arm, like a gentleman from another era. “Shall we?”

Without thinking, I take it, and we slip out into the night. The cool air hits my face, but I barely feel it. My lips find his, hard and desperate, and for a moment, I forget everything—my father’s betrayal, Jake’s deceit, and the wreckage of my life. It’s just us, lost in a chaotic, fiery kiss that drowns out the pain.