I pour a drink into my glass, lifting it high. "Cheers to finding Mr. Perfect!" My voice bubbles with excitement, the smile on my face bright enough to make Sydney roll her eyes.
She doesn't approve of my wedding to Jake, which is set for tomorrow.
"Don't you think you're rushing things? He proposed less than six months after you met," she says, her tone cautious.
I know she's worried, but she can't see what I do. "Sydney, I love him. Don't you understand? When Jake looks at me, it's like every part of me lights up. I've spent my life dreaming of a fairytale, and with him, I've finally found it. He's my prince."
She shakes her head. "Whatever you say. I just hope you're not making a huge mistake. There's something off about him. I can't put my finger on it."
"Oh, Syd," I sigh, trying to brush off the tension. "You're just being your usual, practical self."
"Nadine, I'm serious. Something feels... wrong. And you're moving way too fast."
Her words twist something deep in my chest, making me uneasy. I grab her hands and squeeze. "Just... be happy for me, okay?"
She shrugs and lifts her glass. "To a blissful marriage, babe."
"Yeah, yeah. To the most blissful marriage," I repeat, our glasses clinking together. We sip, and a shared laugh follows, but her warning clings to the edges of my thoughts.
"I need some air," I say, rising from the bed.
"Want me to come with you?" she offers.
"No, I just need a minute. I'll be back soon."
She nods, watching as I step outside, still swirling her wine.
As I walked through the hallway, lost in my thoughts about the big day ahead, a sound suddenly caught my attention. I stopped, listening carefully to figure out where it was coming from. It led me to Nathalie's room, and from the unmistakable moaning, it was clear what she was up to.
My sister has never been shy about her desires. When it comes to sex, she easily finds someone willing to fuck her while we are listening to her moaning.
But who is she with this time? I wonder as I gently open the door, careful not to interrupt their moment.
"Aw, give it to me, Jay," Nathalie's voice, breathy and pleading, fills the room. I peek through the crack in the door, my eyes widening in shock.
Jake.
He's with her, slamming into her from behind, his hands all over her. My heart stops, the world is spinning. I press a hand to my mouth, stifling the cry that threatens to leave my mouth.
My body trembles, my chest tightens, and my hands shake uncontrollably. It feels like the air's been sucked from my lungs as I watch them together, their moans filling the room, oblivious to the pain they're causing me.
But then a thought comes to mind I need evidence. Moving quietly, my heart pounding as I pull out my phone. I start recording, every second feels like torture watching Jake and Nathalie.
Jake's sweet words to my sister stab me in my heart, cutting it deeper and squeezing life out of it. Still, I brace myself and continue filming.
Satisfied with what I've captured, I hide my phone and slip out of the room, careful not to make a sound.
Back in the hallway, I collapse, my body shaking as I sob silently. The pain, the betrayal, it's too much.
Nathalie and I have always had a strained relationship, she's always envied what I have, always trying to take it for herself. And my father? He's always favored her, no matter what she does.
But now... now I have something, something that will finally shift the balance. I take a deep breath, forcing myself to stand, to pull myself together.
I hurry to my room, my chest tight from what I just witnessed. My breath comes in shallow gasps as I try to steady myself, fighting to keep my emotions in check.
Sydney is still there, she rushes over to me, her worry palpable.
"Hey, what's wrong?"
I freeze for a moment, unsure if I should say anything. The thought of her knowing gnaws at me, but the fear of her inevitable "I told you so" makes me bite my tongue. "N-nothing, I'm fine," I manage to whisper, my voice betraying me with a tremble.
Sydney's eyes narrow slightly with concern. "Are you sure? You don't look fine."
She shifts over, making room beside her. I walk over and sink into the bed, the weight of everything pressing down harder.
"It hurts that you don't want to tell me, but I won't push," she says softly. "Whenever you're ready, I'm here."
Her words break the fragile dam holding back my emotions. The tears spill over, and between quiet sobs, I manage to say, "Thank you, Syd."
"Sshh, it's okay, Nadine," she whispers, pulling me into a comforting hug.
I couldn't sleep as I tossed and turned in bed. Just as I'm about to close my eyes, my phone lights up with a message.
"Thank you for loving me with all my imperfections. Can't wait to say 'I do.'"
I stare at the screen of my phone, as fresh tears spill down my face. The memory of Jake in bed with my sister flashes through my mind. The reality of it hits me hard-I've been replaced. I can't go through with this marriage. Not with Jake.
*******
The next day, everything is set for the wedding. I slip into a stunning white dress, straight out of a fairy tale, but as I stare at myself in the mirror, my heart feels heavy.
"Are you alright?" Sydney asks, her reflection showing concern.
I take a deep breath, force a smile, and nod. "Yes, I'm fine."
"It's time to get ready. It's my big day," I say, trying to sound excited, but Sydney isn't fooled. She rolls her eyes and says, "Tell that to the wind."
My makeup is flawless, giving me a natural glow, and my hair is delicately adorned with pearls.
Then my dad walks in, pride shining in his eyes. Marrying Jake feels like a big accomplishment for him. "Are you ready for your big day?" he asks.
I smile and nod, and with that, he proudly takes my arm and walks me down the aisle.
The decorator has transformed the venue into a marine wonderland, with sailor-themed decorations and seashells arranged in a charming maritime fashion.
There was excitement in the air as the soft tune of "Here Comes the Bride" played. I force a smile, though my heart still tugs.
At the altar, Jake stands, looking as handsome as ever. But the spark I once felt for him is gone, replaced by the haunting image of him and my sister.
From a distance, I hear him whisper, "I love you." If only he knew I was fully aware of his betrayal. I force a small, polite smile, masking the storm brewing from within me.
But I have a plan-something far bigger than he can imagine. The thought alone brings a smile to my face, cutting through the pain.
As I walk toward the altar, I can already picture the stunned look on Jake's face when my surprise unfolds.
Just before we exchange vows, a video is supposed to play-a video of our love story. Instead, what appears on the screen sends shockwaves through the room, leaving the crowd in stunned disbelief.