Chapter 3
Clutching my bouquet, I walked onto the stage alone. The only ones waiting for me at the altar were Gideon’s parents.
My own parents had passed away years ago. Other than the brother who had just thrown wine in my face, I had no blood relatives left in this world.
Under the stunned gaze of every guest, I calmly took the microphone from the officiant’s hand.
Im sorry to appear before you all like this. First, please accept my apologies.”
Gideon, finally realizing what was happening, rushed onto the stage and grabbed my arm.
Aurora, what do you think you’re doing?”
What you wanted me to do all along!”
As you can all see, my fiancé, Mr. Bernard, hasn’t even bothered to change into his tuxedo.”
He claims I manipulated him into this wedding. Well, let’s just say I’m done manipulating. I am officially announcing that my engagement to Gideon Bernard is off! From this day forward, our lives are our own!”
With that, I dropped the mic, shook off Gideon’s hand, and walked off the stage.
Behind me, the venue erupted into chaos.
In front of me stood Felix, his face still pale and panicked.
He reached for me, but his hand froze when he saw the glaring crimson stain on my dress.
I didn’t stop for anyone. I tossed my bouquet aside and brushed right past Felix.
At the entrance, a fuming Eleanor had already pulled the car around.
“Aurora! Get in!”
It wasn’t until I was safely in the car that I realized my hands were shaking.
In the rearview mirror, my own face stared back at me, makeup smudged and streaked with tears.
Eleanor handed me a couple of tissues, cursing Gideon under her breath.
‘He used to be such a sweet kid. How did he turn into such a monster?”
‘He used to adore you! That bastard. He changes his mind faster than he changes his damn clothes!”
Her voice trailed off as she watched me bury my face in the tissues, silent for a long, long time.
“Aurora…”
I’m okay, Eleanor, really, I just miss my mom.”
The car fell silent. I leaned my head against the window, watching the scenery blur past, feeling the profound weight of how much everything had changed.
It turned out I was the only fool who had been standing still all this time, refusing to move on.
The truth was, Felix and Gideon used to be so good to me when we were little. Truly, so good.
My mother was a world–renowned wedding dress designer.
She always said she would design the most unique wedding dress in the world for me, that she wanted to see me with her own eyes, wearing her love and blessings as I married the man of my dreams.
That year, Gideon and I had just been engaged by our parents.
He’d come to hold my hand, blushing furiously, only for my brother to shove him away.
“Back off, back off! We said when you’re grown up, not now!”
The adults around us erupted in laughter. I shyly buried my face in my mom’s dress as she gently stroked my hair.
Back then, my mother hadn’t been diagnosed with stomach cancer, and there was no sister named Stella in our family.
Everyone I loved was right there with me.
C
Sara Lili is a daring romance writer who turns icy landscapes into scenes of fiery passion. She loves crafting hot love stories while embracing the chill of Iceland’s breathtaking cold.