His father, my revenge

Chapter three

I smiled as I unlocked my flat. I was still wearing my white dress. I felt like the world was on top me. My hands were shaking with fear not excitement anymore.

Tonight is supposed to mark the start of planning my future with Aiden. We were supposed to get married and build a life together.

After I saw Aiden’s message I decided to visit my home and change because there's no need for a wedding anymore. I pushed the door open and stepped inside the house while praying that she wasn't around.

It was too quiet.

The house was dark and the lights were off and the living room was the same way I arranged it. I dropped my purse and kicked off my heels, sighing in relief as my sore feet thanked me.

I wondered if this was the romantic surprise Aiden had set up for me. I expected scented candles and flowers, which he often did when he worked late.

But no a breakup letter is what I got in exchange.

I laughed at the thought of it.

But then I heard some weird noises.

A sound that is low like a soft moan. I froze.

Maybe I was guessing, maybe it was the neighbors.

But something pushing me forward. I couldn’t explain the ache in my stomach.

My heart started beating fast and suddenly my smile faded away. I tiptoed towards the bedroom where the sounds were coming from, every step I take makes the sounds louder and clearer.

I pushed the door open.

And my whole world stopped.

There they were.

On my bed.

Aiden.

Tessa.

My sister.

My fiancé.

Their bodies tangled together like animals, the sheets half-pulled off the bed. His hands gripped her waist, her head thrown back in pleasure.

My bed our bed Tessa. I stood there without moving, without being able to breathe.

It felt like a dream. A nightmare. Like my brain was refusing to understand what my eyes were seeing.

Aiden looked up first.

His face turned red. He dropped his hands off Tessa's body. And immediately got up from the bed, wrapping the sheet around his waist while stuttering some words I didn’t even hear.

Tessa inhaled slowly while trying to pull the blanket to cover herself, her face showed that she was happy and smiling.

I didn’t scream.

I didn’t cry.

I didn’t say a word.

I just looked at them. The people I loved most in the world.

The ones I counted as my family. The ones I would have died for. And they had brutally hurt me.

I looked at the ring on my finger, the diamond Aiden gave me when he promised me forever. I pulled it off and gripped it tightly, feeling the sharp edges.

Then I threw it at him making sure I hit him in the chest. I didn't stay to see his reaction, I just turned and left.

Tessa opened her mouth, tears already falling down from m her face.

“Natalie, please I can explain”

I turned away.

I didn’t want to hear it.

There was nothing she could say that would ever make this right.

Nothing.

I walked out of the bedroom.

Out of the apartment.

Out of the life I thought I had created for myself.

The hallway was suffocating. I leaned against the wall to catch my breath. My chest felt heavy. I stumbled into the elevator and repeatedly pressed the button until the doors closed. I leaned my forehead against the cool metal wall and squeezed my eyes tight.

Don't cry. Don't cry. Don't cry. I said trying to console myself.

But the tears were already dropping from my eyes. Hot, fast and unstoppable.

When the elevator rang at the ground floor, I wiped my face roughly and stepped out, trying to cover my red and teary face.

I was trying to hold myself together. The doorman looked up and smiled at me. I didn’t smile back.

I saw the limo parked the one Aiden bought for tonight, thinking it would be a night to remember.

It would be.

Just not the way he planned.

I walked over to the limo. The driver jumped out to open the door, but I waved him off.

I reached inside, grabbed the first thing my hands touched

A bottle of champagne.

Perfect.

I didn’t even look back at the building.

At the life I was leaving behind.

I popped the bottle open right there on the sidewalk, foam spilling over my hands.

I took a long, burning gulp, not caring who was watching.

The alcohol burned my throat, but I loved it. It made me feel something.

I walked into the night, holding the bottle tightly. I didn't know where I was going and didn't care. I just needed to get away from everything.

Every step felt harder, like the weight of betrayal was pulling me down.

I kept hoping it was a bad dream. That I would open my eyes and be at the wedding hall, laughing with Aiden and toasting to our future.

But this was real.

This pain was real.

I walked alone through the city, feeling invisible. The cold wind hit me hard. I saw happy couples and friends, and it made me hurt even more.

I wondered why they were happy and my own happiness was snatched away from me. I started crying again, and this time it was too much. I hid in a dark alley and sat down, hugging my knees tightly.

I drank more champagne, wiping my mouth with the back of my hand. I must have looked crazy because I felt crazy.

How could they do this to me?

How could he do this?

How could she?

Tessa had been my sister since my parents died. I thought she loved me but that's all a lie she was just corny that's all

And Aiden, he was supposed to be my husband. He was supposed to be the one who would stand by me when the world was falling apart.

Instead, they tore me apart.

Together.

I pressed my hands against my mouth to stop me from crying out.

I didn’t know how long I sat there.

Minutes. Hours. Time didn’t mean anything to me anymore.

Finally, when my body was cool and the bottle was almost empty, I wiped my face and stood up.

I wasn’t going to cry anymore.

I wasn’t going to beg.

I wasn’t going to crawl back.

They had made their choice.

Now it was my turn to make mine.

I held the bottle tightly and stepped back into the city. The world around me was busy and didn't care about my pain.

I was done being the trusting, loving person I used to be. A new, stronger me was emerging, and she was ready to take control.