ELARA'S POV
I woke up to church bells ringing.
For a moment, I forgot everything. I smiled at the ceiling, thinking it was my wedding day.
Then reality crashed down on me like a bucket of ice water.
It WAS a wedding day. Just not mine.
I rolled over and looked at my phone. The cracked screen showed 9:47 AM. The wedding started at 10:00.
My stomach twisted into knots.
Somewhere across town, Liam was putting on his suit. The suit we picked out together three months ago. He was probably nervous, fixing his tie over and over like he always did when he was stressed.
And Chloe? She was probably stepping into my dress right now. Smiling at herself in the mirror. Getting everything she always wanted.
I should stay in bed. I should pull the covers over my head and pretend this day didn't exist.
But I couldn't.
I had to see it. I had to see it with my own eyes, or I'd never believe it really happened.
I jumped out of bed and grabbed the first clothes I found. I didn't bother with makeup. I didn't fix my hair. I just ran out the door and got in my car.
The church was only ten minutes away. I'd been going there since I was a little girl. I got baptized there. I went to Sunday school there. I dreamed about getting married there.
I parked two blocks away and walked the rest. My hands shook the whole time.
When I reached the church, I hid behind a tree across the street. Cars filled the parking lot. Guests walked up the steps in their fancy clothes.
I recognized most of them. Liam's friends. His family. People from my stepmother's social club.
Were they gossiping about me? Were they wondering where I went? Or did they even notice I was gone?
The church bells rang again. 10:00 exactly.
It was starting.
I watched the doors close. Everyone was inside now.
I should leave. I should go back to my car and drive far away from here.
But my feet moved forward instead. I crossed the street. I climbed the church steps. I pulled open the heavy wooden door as quietly as I could.
Music played inside. The wedding march.
I slipped into the very back row and hid behind a tall man wearing a hat. From here, I could see everything without being seen.
The church was full. At least two hundred people.
And there, at the front, stood Liam.
He looked handsome in his black suit. His hair was combed neatly. His shoulders were straight.
He looked perfect.
He looked like he was supposed to look on his wedding day.
My wedding day.
The music got louder. Everyone stood up and turned around.
I ducked lower in my seat.
Then I saw her.
Chloe walked down the aisle on my stepmother's arm. She wore my dress. MY dress. The one I sewed with my own hands. The one I stabbed my finger making.
She looked beautiful. I hated that she looked beautiful.
But something was wrong.
She wasn't walking slowly like sick people do. She wasn't weak or pale. She was practically skipping down the aisle, grinning from ear to ear.
She didn't look like someone who had months to live.
She looked healthier than me.
My heart started beating faster. Something wasn't right.
I watched Chloe reach the altar. Watched her take Liam's hands. Watched the priest open his book and start talking.
"Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today..."
This was really happening. This was real.
I bit my lip so hard I tasted blood.
The ceremony continued. Liam and Chloe said their vows. They promised to love each other forever. In sickness and in health.
Lies. All lies.
"If anyone objects to this union, speak now or forever hold your peace."
I opened my mouth. I almost stood up. I almost screamed.
But what would I say? That the groom was mine first? That this was supposed to be my wedding?
I'd look crazy. Everyone would stare at me. They'd call security and drag me out.
So I stayed quiet. I held my peace.
"I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss the bride."
Liam leaned in and kissed Chloe.
My Liam kissed someone else.
Wearing my dress.
In my church.
On my wedding day.
The guests clapped and cheered. Music played. Liam and Chloe walked back down the aisle together, holding hands and laughing.
They passed right by me. So close I could have reached out and touched them.
Chloe's eyes met mine for just a second.
She smiled. Not a kind smile. A mean one. A winner's smile.
She knew I was here. She knew I was watching.
And she loved it.
They walked out of the church. Everyone followed them. I stayed frozen in my seat, unable to move.
When the church was finally empty, I stood up on shaky legs. I walked to the front where they'd been standing just moments ago.
Flower petals covered the floor. White roses decorated the altar. Everything was perfect and beautiful.
I picked up one of the rose petals and crushed it in my hand.
"Can I help you, dear?"
I spun around. The priest stood in the doorway, watching me with kind eyes.
"I just..." My voice cracked. "I was just leaving."
"Are you alright? You look upset."
"I'm fine." I hurried toward the exit. "I'm perfectly fine."
I wasn't fine. I was breaking into a million pieces.
I ran out of the church and down the steps. People were taking pictures outside. Chloe threw her bouquet. Girls squealed and jumped to catch it.
I pushed through the crowd, trying to get away.
"Elara?"
I froze. That voice.
I turned around slowly.
My stepmother stood there, holding a glass of champagne. She looked surprised to see me.
"What are you doing here?" she asked.
"I..." I didn't have an answer.
"This is inappropriate. You shouldn't have come."
"This was supposed to be MY wedding!" The words burst out before I could stop them. "That's MY dress! That's MY man!"
People around us stopped talking. They stared at us.
My stepmother's face turned red. "Lower your voice. You're making a scene."
"I don't care! You stole everything from me!"
"We didn't steal anything. Chloe is dying, remember? We're giving her one last happy moment."
"She doesn't look very dying to me!" I pointed at Chloe, who was laughing and dancing with Liam. "Look at her! Does she look sick to you?"
My stepmother grabbed my arm and pulled me away from the crowd. Her fingers dug into my skin.
"Listen to me carefully," she hissed. "You need to leave. Now. Before you embarrass yourself more."
"Embarrass myself? You kicked me out of my own house! You gave my wedding to someone else!"
"And you'll get over it. You're young. You'll find someone new. But Chloe doesn't have time. Can't you understand that?"
I yanked my arm away from her. "I understand perfectly. You've always loved her more than me. This is just proof."
"That's not true—"
"Yes, it is! Ever since my dad died and you married into our family, you've treated me like I was in the way. Like I didn't matter. Well, congratulations. You finally got rid of me."
My stepmother's expression didn't change. "If that's how you feel, then maybe it's better this way."
Those words hurt more than anything else.
"Fine," I whispered. "I'll go. But I'll never forgive you for this. Any of you."
I turned and walked away. Behind me, I heard the party continue. Music. Laughter. Celebration.
They didn't even notice I was gone.
I got in my car and drove. I didn't know where I was going. I just drove.
My phone rang. I glanced at the screen.
Liam.
Calling me on his wedding day. Calling me right after marrying someone else.
I answered. I don't know why. Maybe I wanted to hear him explain. Maybe I wanted him to apologize.
"Elara, I saw you at the church," he said. "Why did you come?"
"I don't know."
"It had to be hard. I'm sorry you had to see that."
"Are you? Are you really sorry, Liam?"
"Of course I am. But it's done now. We're married. I did what I had to do."
"Congratulations." The word tasted like poison.
"Don't be like that. This doesn't change anything between us."
I laughed. Actually laughed. "It changes everything."
"No, it doesn't. I told you—once this is over, we'll be together. Just wait for me."
"How long, Liam? How long am I supposed to wait while you play husband to my stepsister?"
Silence.
"The doctors said months. Maybe three or four."
"And then what? You'll divorce her corpse and come running back to me?"
"Elara—"
"I can't believe I ever loved you." I hung up.
I threw my phone on the passenger seat and kept driving.
Rain started falling. Big, heavy drops that matched my tears.
I drove until I reached the edge of town. Until the fancy houses turned into cheap motels and gas stations.
I pulled into the parking lot of the first motel I saw. The sign said "VACANCY" in flickering neon letters.
I rented a room with the little cash I had in my wallet.
The room was small and smelled like cigarettes. The bed had stains on it. The TV didn't work.
But it was mine. The only thing I had left that was truly mine.
I laid on the bed and stared at the ceiling.
How did my life fall apart so fast?
Yesterday, I had everything.
Today, I had nothing.
My phone buzzed with a text.
Unknown number: The sickness was fake. Thought you should know. - A Friend
I sat up so fast my head spun.
What?