Isabella’s POV
Tears streamed down my face and my heart felt like stabbed a thousand cuts when I recognized that lovely couple in the spotlight. A spotlight that should be for me. The couple looked so happy together and if I don’t know them, I’d think they’re one of the perfect couple in the world, but that’s not the case. I know them very well, and I couldn't breathe as I watched them.
Damon Sanchez, my boyfriend for five years, was now on one knee, offering a diamond ring to a lady. A lady was no one else but my best friend, Giana. Like a cliché movie, I was trapped in a miserable explosion of truth before my eyes, and it’s killing me every passing second.
I am beyond shocked. The scene that welcomed me was too much to handle, like the deafening thunder looming over an unwanted rain.
"Will you marry me, honey?" he said, with his trademark charming dimples. It was so clear as crystal and painful as a stab wound. Bitterness crept into my heart remembering every single promise he uttered just to get my trust.
How could he?
"Yes, I do," her voice was soft and sweet yet pierced my ears badly.
What the hell is going on here? My mind was in turmoil and my fingertips pinched deep into my palms, causing it to bleed. It should be painful, but the physical pain was drowning with the emotional pain I’m feeling right now, consuming all my sensible thoughts as I started questioning what went wrong.
Damon and I didn't break up, for sure! I don’t remember talking about a splitting, so what am I seeing? Why can I see my long-time boyfriend proposing to my best friend? Last night, when we had sex, he kissed me so passionately while apologizing for not being able to celebrate his birthday and our fifth anniversary today. But later this afternoon, I got an invitation from his father. I was so shocked. But I gaslighted myself that Damon prepared a surprise for me on our special day. It is indeed a surprise, but not to make me happy—it’s a surprise to break me.
‘Dear Isabella, I sincerely invite you to witness this big day for our family.’
An invitation to mock me? To play with my feelings? What did I do to this family?
Since my parents died, Mr. Sanchez, Damon's father, had sponsored me until 18. He was my father's best friend and the person I respected the most in my life. Two years ago, he accidentally spotted Damon and me kissing in the garden but didn't object to our relationship. I took that as a tacit support. I try harder to be more excellent in college and work, hoping to be recognized by the rest of his family soon.
With that invitation, I had a feeling that tonight would be the moment when my relationship with Damon be publicized and blessed by all.
I dolled up and arrived here full of anticipation. Those elaborate heart-shaped balloons, the professional photographer, and the guests' meaningful smiles, all confirmed what I thought. Damon lied that he'd be busy tonight because he wanted to give me a surprise—a marriage proposal. However, my happy pounding heart soon shattered as I saw Damon walking toward Giana and kissing her gladly.
My dear boyfriend did plan to propose at his birthday party, but the heroine was not me. What kind of plot twist is this? Since when did they start liking each other? I always told everything to Gianna, and she would always happily listen to my magical moments with Damon. She would rant with me whenever I had an argument with him. Although she doesn’t know who my boyfriend is because she stayed in the U.S. after she reached the legal age, I couldn’t help but feel betrayed by my own best friend.
I wiped my tears and was about to turn back because I could no longer endure the painful scene in front of me, but I was shocked when someone blocked my way. Wearing an elegant dress, looking like a princess, Daniella, Damon’s sister was standing in front of me, arms crossed and brow raising.
I have never felt welcomed in this family. I feel like their smiles are fake. I felt like they were talking behind my back. I felt like they were faking everything, and it’s possibly because almost all the members of the family thought I was stealing their wealth because I was an orphan who was dreaming of rising from the dust.
“I thought you were not coming,” Daniella was smiling evilly. Was she the one who sent me the invitation?
I swallowed hard, not wanting to steal attention. “I’m leaving—”
“Don’t be a killjoy, Isabella. You should witness how my brother dreams of a future with the woman he wants to spend the rest of his life with—oh wait, I’m so sorry… You were dreaming about marrying him, right?”
I inhaled sharply as I looked her in the eyes. She was talking so loud, and we already caught the attention of the crowd. I could even feel Damon and Gianna’s eyes on me.
My chest became heavier as the crowd started whispering. The gentle music stopped, the same time my eyes locked with Damon. He looked shocked as he walked towards me.
My lips trembled as I sucked my breath again. I was about to run away when a hand grabbed mine. The gentleness and softness felt familiar, but it could no longer comfort me.
“Belly, oh my God! You’re here! I’m getting married, Belly! I’m getting married!”
I had to do everything to keep my tears as I looked at her. The happiness in her eyes was genuine and her smile was so innocent, full of joy.
I had to confirm something. I needed to hear it. So I stared into her eyes as I asked. “H-He’s your…boyfriend?”
She smiled happily as she nodded. “Yes. We’ve been together for two years. I’m sorry, I didn’t have time to tell you. We were always talking about your boyfriend whenever we had time. So I’m sorry. I also want to surprise you.”
“Surprise me?” I asked, trying so hard not to crack my voice.
It was Damon’s fault. He cheated on me. He lied to me. He made a fool out of me for a very long time. I couldn’t believe this. Did I trust him too much? Was it my fault?
Gianna grabbed Damon’s hand and pulled him closer. “Damon, this is Isabella, my best friend. Belly, this is Damon, my boyfriend and now my fiancé.”
My lips trembled as I slowly turned to Damon. He was still looking at me, and I don’t know if I he was regretful because I couldn’t see even a hint of guilt in his eyes. He was looking at me with some emotions I couldn’t understand.
I inhaled sharply as I turned to Gianna again. I will tell her the truth. “Gianna—”
“Watch out!” Damon exclaimed and grabbed Gianna’s waist, pulling her. I was startled that I had no chance to even realize that a part of the cake was about to hit me after the staff pushing the cart tripped. It was too late when I turned around and the cake was already thrown at me, staining the dress I was wearing, putting me into a more pitiful and embarrassing situation.
The crowd gasped, but some laughter didn’t escape my ears. I was showered with icing as the staff stood there frozen, unable to do anything in so much shock.
My vision became blurry as I looked at my hands that are now trembling in pain and embarrassment. I heard Gianna’s voice but someone else reached for my hand before she could help me.
“Get up, Isabella…” That familiar strict voice made me lift my face. Mr. Sanchez, Damon’s father was offering his hand to me, so I could pull myself up.
“You totally ruined the cake, Isabella.” Daniella’s voice sounded so mean and sarcastic. I want to snap at her for doing this. She has always been rude to me.
“Shut it, Daniella!” Mr. Sanchez snapped at his own daughter. “I did not raise you to disrespect a guest.”
A guest… I am just a guest. Not the long-time girlfriend of his son who was betrayed on the very day that was supposed to be special.
“I’m sorry. Continue having fun.” Mr. Sanchez apologized to the other people before he looked at me again. “Let’s go upstairs, Isabella. I’ll tell the maid to give you clean clothes.”
As much as I wanted to decline his offer, I had no choice because aside from the fact that the cake didn’t feel good on my skin, I wanna get away from Damon, a traitor who played me for a fool.
I heard Gianna calling my name, and she sounded confused because Mr. Sanchez knew me, but I had no time to talk to her. Even if she doesn’t know my relationship with Damon, the fact that she’s the other woman of my long-time boyfriend remains.
“Were you the one who sent me the invitation?” I asked when I got alone with Mr. Sanchez. He paused as I stared at his back. He slowly turned to me, and I saw nothing in his eyes. Not even a single hint of guilt.
“I treat you as a member of my family, Isabella. My son wants to settle down, and you deserve to know.”
I deserve to know? I deserve decent treatment, that’s what I need. He shouldn’t have invited me here knowing his son would propose to another woman. Worse is my best friend.
I wanted to ask more, but Mr. Sanchez left even before the maid arrived to give me a pair of clothes.
“Miss Belly…” The maid followed me to the guest room. She looked worried. She’s a middle-aged maid, and she cares for me like her own child. I felt it. She made me feel it.
I gave her a fake smile. “I’m okay.”
She shook her head and sighed. “No, you’re not. You don’t have to pretend in front of me, Miss Belly. I know you’re hurting, and the truth is, I want to talk to you.”
“Talk to me? About what?”
She leaned closer to me and said the words that made my world crumble. “The family had prepared for this engagement party for almost two months.”
My lips parted as the pain of betrayal consumed me. “They…knew?”
“Everyone here knows, Miss Belly. I just don’t understand why Sir Damon had to do that to you. It would be easier if he broke up with you even before this party.”
Tears streamed down my face as my hands trembled in combined anger and pain. They’ve planned this for a long time. They never had any intention to accept me as part of this family. They were too good at pretending that I failed to notice their fake care.
I rushed to the bathroom and changed my clothes. I need to leave here now. I don’t wanna stay here any longer and be with the people who hurt me. If they don’t want me, then I don’t want them to. I will not beg Damon to take me back right after he shattered me into tiny pieces. However, my plan to leave unseen like thin air vanished when I saw Damon waiting for me outside. My heart began pounding like crazy as rage enveloped my whole system the moment our gazes locked. How shameless.
