Sunlight streamed through the silk curtains, too bright, too golden, too alive for some who had just escaped the icy jaws of death.
Elena jolted upright in the bed, her breathing was haggard.
The scent of fresh lilies filled her room. The same lilies that decorated the altar the day she died.
She stumbled to the mirror.
Her skin was unmarked, her hair untouched by the saltwater that had tangled it on the night of her betrayal.
Her hands shook as she reached for the ornate calendar on her vanity to check if the date she saw on the clock was correct.
August 15
Her heart hammered.
It was the day before her wedding.
She held the bedpost for support. The memory of all that happened started hitting her in waves.
She has been given a second chance.
The memory of the cliff came back uninvitedly—Selena's mocking laugh, Ethan's mocking smile, the way I was thrown off the cliff into the sea like a piece of trash. Their voices echoed in her head:
"You were just who we used to open a few doors"
"You can't survive in this world, Elena"
"You are weak and gullible"
Her fingers curled into a fist and her face reddened, "Not again"
She forced herself to breathe, thinking thoroughly about her next move. If tomorrow was her stage, tonight would be her rehearsal.
The first thing she did was to dress up and start the day.
————————————————————————-
The first thing I did was send my maid on an errand—long enough for me to be alone in Ethan's private study. I knew the passcode; I had been naive enough to think Ethan had given it to her out of trust.
Ethan was too trusting to give me the password to the save because he thought I was gullible and would never betray him but now the gullible part of me was fruitful. If not I would not have been able to know the password to open the safe..
Inside, I opened the sleek black safe and pulled out the documents—merger contracts, letters, bank statements. Enough proof of Ethan's betrayal to ruin him in the eyes of every potential investor in the city. I didn't need to expose them all now… just enough to make tomorrow's spectacle unforgettable.
By the time the maid returned, Elena was back in her room, calm and smiling, the stolen evidence tucked neatly inside the lining of her gown.
For a long moment, I just sat on my bed, my fingers resting on the documents I had taken from the safe. The faint scent of his cologne lingered in the air—sharp, clean, and utterly false, just like him.
I could feel the weight of the papers against my fingers, each one a dagger aimed at the man who thought he owned me.
A day ago, I would have been too broken to think beyond the betrayal. But now… now I have been reborn, and I intend to use every second of it.
I walked back to my window and sat on the edge of it, staring at the wedding gown hanging in the corner.
The delicate lace shimmered in the moonlight, pure and white, as if it could still symbolize love.
I almost laughed.
Love had died the night I heard Ethan's voice on the cliff, low and intimate, whispering promises to Selena.
The memory still burned, but it was no longer pain—it was fuel.
It was past midnight when I heard my phone buzz with the text messages from my bridesmaids lit up my phone with confusion, but I ignored them.
I didn't need fake laughter or drunken toasts tonight. Not when I knew what I knew.
Tomorrow, the city's elite would gather expecting to see Ethan Cole and Elena Mendez united for life.
Instead, they would watch Ethan Cole fall.
And I would make sure Selena was right there beside him.
I lay back against the pillows, not to sleep, but to plan. Every step, every word, every look—I would turn them into weapons.
By the time the sun rose, I wasn't a bride anymore. I was an executioner in white silk.
The morning of my wedding arrived dressed in gold sunlight, as if the universe itself wanted to mock me.
The mansion reverberated with sounds from every corner, and stylists moved in and out of my room, photographers hovered like vultures to get at least one picture, and distant laughter echoed from the reception hall.
I smiled for the camera tilting my head just so they could take a picture of what they thought was bliss and happiness. But with every hairpin that clipped my hair, every brush stroke of makeup that touched my face, and every silk ribbon tied around my wrist was part of my suit of armor.
Ethan stood at the altar, handsome and polished in his suit that was made just for him.
He wore the smile that once made my heart always skip a beat and my belly full of butterflies.
Beside him stood Selena my supposed best friend stood as my maid of honour more of my enemy.
She was draped in a luxurious flowing garment made from shimmering gold colour silk fabric that hugged her curves so perfectly.
Her lips curved in the same practiced sweetness that she always had on every time I saw her.
When I reached Ethan, his fingers closed over mine
"You look beautiful," he said in a hushed tone
"I know", I replied shyly
The ceremony began, the words of the officiant weaving a web around us.
The officiant said," Ethan Cole, do you take Elena Mendez as your lawfully wedded wife in happiness, sickness, trials and tribulations, and till death do you both part?"
"Yes, I do", replied Ethan
The crowd clapped at his answer.
Now it's my turn.
The officiant turned to me and said, "Elena Mendez, do you take Ethan Cole as ur Lawful wedded husband in happiness, sickness, and Good health, trials and tribulations, and till death do you both part?"
I breathed in heavily and said "No, I do not"
Ethan and Selena looked at me shocked
The hall erupted in loud whispers and my Mum said
"Elena do u know what u are saying"
I looked at her expressionless and said
"Mum I'm not getting married to Ethan at all"
"Why Elena"
"Elena, what did I do wrong?" Ethan said
I looked at Ethan with hate and disgust in my eyes then I turned to face the audience, my smile sharp as glass.
"You all came here to witness a wedding.
But I thought you deserved to know what else you're witnessing—a man who has been in love with someone else for years. My best friend, Selena."
Gasps filled the air. Selena's painted smile faltered.
I reached up, took hold of the hem of my skirt, and ripped the lace from hem to knee, the sound of tearing fabric loud in the silence.
The pristine gown was ruined, but I stood taller than ever.
Then I turned, tossed the bouquet onto the floor, and walked down the aisle alone.
And then I turned back and said," This marriage is called off"
Ethan's voice followed me, hard and demanding:
"Elena! Come back here!"
I didn't even glance over my shoulder.
"No," I said, the word a blade between us.