On the day of the engagement party, the dressing room was buzzing with excitement.
Camille was there as my bridesmaid, naturally. She never missed a chance to be at the center of things.
The makeup artist had stepped out to grab a brooch from the front desk. I stood by the side door behind the fitting mirror, my gaze fixed through the narrow gap at the VIP lounge next door.
Two figures were tangled together.
Camille had her arms draped around Grant's neck, her voice soft and syrupy. "It hurts so much knowing you're about to put a ring on her finger."
Grant's throat moved, and something in his eyes went dark.
He pulled Camille against him, his hands sliding to her waist with practiced ease, his voice low and rough.
"Be patient, baby. Once I've cleaned out everything under her name, I'll divorce her and marry you."
Camille let out a flirty laugh and kissed him first.
The sounds from that room were unmistakable, the two of them groping at each other in their little hidden corner, completely lost in it.
I sat less than thirty feet away, watching the whole thing.
It felt like watching two animals in heat. Absurd and nauseating.
I looked up and spotted the security camera in the corner of the room. A cold smile crossed my face.
'I hope you two still love each other this much when everything comes crashing down.'
I looked down at the diamond engagement ring on my finger.
I slid it off without a second thought and set it on the cold marble table.
Then I gathered up my dress and walked calmly toward the crowded banquet hall.
On stage, the emcee was holding a microphone, all polished enthusiasm as he prepared to announce the start of the ceremony.
I walked up, smiled, and took the microphone right out of his startled hands.
In the dressing room, the two of them were still going at it, while the guests below remained blissfully unaware.
When I stepped into the spotlight, both families and over a hundred guests turned to face me, and the applause rolled through the hall.
The massive LED screen behind me had been showing a giant photo of Grant and me, both of us laughing, looking like the happiest people in the world at that exact moment.
I took a deep breath, raised the microphone, and began under the glare of the lights.
"Thank you all for being here today to celebrate my engagement to Grant."
I paused and then pressed the button on the remote in my hand.
The photo on the screen flickered and went black.
"Everyone in this room is family or a close friend. You were all supposed to witness the happiest moment of our lives."
I hit play, and the security footage from the dressing room filled the screen.
Every naked touch and every raw, hungry movement was now on display for the entire room.
I pointed at the two people in the footage, still lost in their affair.
"But today, I’m not the center of this wedding. They are!"