ELENA POV

I stood outside the church doors, my heart was beating so hard it felt like it wanted to escape before I reached the altar.

My hands clutched my White roses bouquet like they could disappear any moment. Ethan said they looked “pure.” I liked lilies more, but today was supposed to be perfect for both of us, not just me.

“Elena, are you ready?” the coordinator whispered.

I gave her a nervous smile and nodded.

The doors opened and everything felt unreal.

People stood and smiled, cameras flashed.

I took one slow step at a time, afraid I might trip over my dress.

I kept my gaze on Ethan.

He gave me that familiar smile.

I was with Ethan for two and in those two years he gave me every reason to believe he was my forever.

He held my hands when I reached him, his honey-brown eyes staring into mine. His palms were warm.

“You look amazing,” he said softly.

My tensed shoulders loosened a little.

The ceremony moved quickly.

I listened, but not too closely. I was too busy imagining our future together, until the vows.

The priest smiled at Ethan. “Do you take Elena Daisy William to be your lawful wife, in sickness and in health, till death do you apart ? ”

I could hear a pin drop at that point. The silence was deafening.

I squeezed Ethan’s hands gently to remind him that everyone was still waiting for his response. He didn’t squeeze back, instead, he pulled his hands away.

Cold air rushed into the space between us.

“I can't do this,” he said.

At first, I laughed a little because it sounded like a joke, a nervous joke. People get pranked sometimes at their weddings, right? It happens.

But I looked around and didn't see any recording camera. All I saw was photographers who looked as confused as I was

“What…?” My voice came out small.

“I’m sorry, Elena,” he said. “I don’t love you enough to do forever with you. Emily is the woman I want. We already registered our marriage a month ago.”

I blinked twice. This has to be a prank, I said to myself.

The priest stepped back. Someone gasped loudly.

My fingers tightened around my bouquet.

Ethan turned, Emily stood up from her seat.

And then — he walked toward her. He took her hand and their fingers locked together.

The air got stuck in my lunges.

“This isn’t real,” I whispered.

They walked down the aisle together, The doors closed behind them.

I stood alone before all our guests.

My chest felt clustered

I ran.

I didn’t remember leaving the church.

I didn’t remember people calling after me.

I just ran.

Tears blurred everything.

My heart felt like a glass was broken inside my chest.

I ran through the streets without thinking where I was going.

I only knew I had to get away from eyes, from whispers, and from pity.

I wanted to wake up in my small apartment and realize it was all a dream.

My life was supposed to be simple.

I was just Elena, a twenty-six year old editor at a struggling publishing company where nobody remembered my birthday but everyone needed their deadlines fixed.

I liked tranquility, I believed in love, but true love doesn't get to leave you alone at the altar.

People stared at the girl in a wedding dress walking alone.

Then I noticed something else.

Two men across the street—Watching me like hawks.

My stomach dropped.

My father’s debts were never truly gone. Even after his death, they followed me like shadows.

I turned a corner quickly. My heart raced, my legs felt weak.

Music boomed from somewhere ahead, it had bright lights and a busy entrance. I got closer and realized it was a nightclub.

Without thinking, I ripped my wedding dress into a shorter gown, removed my veil and walked in.

The music swallowed all my worries.

Nobody cared about me here. People danced and laughed. I went straight to the bar.

“One drink,” I said.

Then I had another, and another.

The room spun and for the first time, I loved it. My chest felt numb. I was about to go for another drink when strong hands grabbed my arms.

“Boss wants her,” someone said.

My head felt heavy and my body weak. I tried to fight, but my limbs moved slowly, like I was underwater.

The world became blurry.

But I could remember being dragged to a car, then through a hallway and the sound of a door closing behind me.

Then the door opened again after what seemed like minutes