His father, my revenge

Chapter two

The wedding hall was filled with excitement while music kept playing in the background and the sweet scent of fresh roses filled the air.

Guests sat on both sides of the hall, chatting and smiling.

Cameras flashed here and there, catching moments of laughter and beautiful moments.

Everything looked perfect except for one thing my husband was missing. I stood at the entrance of the hall, holding my bouquet so tight that the flowers were almost crushed to pieces.

My white dress was shining, but my hands were shaking and my heart was beating faster than the music, I searched the crowd while looking from face to face, but Aiden was no where to be seen.

Not at the altar. Not in the seats. Nowhere. Did he leave for a business meeting?

I asked myself because we settled down after successfully getting married but I went to the bathroom to touch my makeup and now he is nowhere to be found.

He could have told me, I said while still making up excuses for him. Whispers started spreading around.

"Where’s the groom?"

"Is he coming?"

"Maybe something happened?"

I forced myself to smile just to distract everyone and give the impression that everything was fine, even though my stomach was turning.

I couldn't let them see me panic. This was a reasonable mistake I guessed. Maybe he was fixing something.

Maybe he was planning a surprise. "Calm down, Natalie," I told myself while trying to relax by touching my forehead with the back of my hand.

The priest checked his watch. Natalie’s originator walked up and whispered something to the wedding planner. Even her bridesmaids looked at each other with worried eyes.

Minutes kapt passing by. Then more minutes. The music kept playing, but it all felt wrong now, it felt empty.

Still, no Aiden, my hands became sweaty and my heart compressed painfully.

I was breathing fast, but still trying to calm myself down. Julie, my maid of honor, hurried over and whispered, "Maybe he's at home?"

Maybe he’s preparing something for you? You know how Aiden loves surprises."

I wanted to believe it. I needed to believe it. I nodded quickly. "I’ll go check on him," I whispered back.

Julie grabbed my hand. " Do you want me to come with you?" she asked out of curiosity I shook her head. "No. I’ll go alone. If he’s planning something, it should be just me."

Without another word, I turned and hurried out of the hall, holding my dress up to avoid falling down. I could feel everyone's eyes on my back but I didn’t care. I had only one mission, which is to find Aiden.

The bright sun outside shone into my eyes after the soft lighting of the hall. I ran to my small car parked a few feet away. My hands kept trembling as I opened the door and climbed in, I tossed the bouquet onto the passenger seat.

When I started the engine, memories of my past and future flooded my mind on how we met.

It was in college and I was the girl with second-hand books and worn-out sneakers. I worked nights at a cafe just to pay my rent.

Aiden was the charming boy from a rich family, the one everyone cherished and I, Natalie never thought someone like him would even notice me. Talk more about marrying me.

But he did. He sat at the back of the lecture hall, always watching me. He sent me coffee at work. He left funny notes in my textbooks. He asked me out three times before I finally said yes.

A small, sad smile touched my lips as I drove toward their apartment.

He made me believe in my dreams, he helped me accomplish some by helping me get a job at his company. I never had to beg my wicked mother for food anymore. I had enough money to provide for myself.

He told me that I was beautiful when I felt invisible. He stayed up all night helping me prepare for my exams. He said he believed in my future, even when I doubted myself.

Natalie blinked back tears.

I never asked him for a thing, not his money, not his family’s connections. All I ever wanted was his love. And he gave it, or at least, I thought he did.

As I pulled into the apartment, a quick pain cut through my chest. My fingers fumbled with the car keys as I climbed out quickly, kicking off my heels so I could run up the steps faster.

I reached their door, breathing heavily. My hands trembled as I tried to open the door after minutes of trying the door opened.

"Aiden?" I called out softly but no answer came through. The apartment smelled like his cologne, mixed with the clean scent of fresh laundry. But it was empty and quiet.

I moved through the living room. His jacket was still thrown over the back of a chair. His keys sat in the bowl near the door. My heart lifted for a second, maybe he was in the bedroom.

I rushed to the bedroom. The bed was made neatly, just as they had left it. No signs of life. No surprises. No balloons. No notes.

Nothing.

Panic constricted my throat as I opened the bathroom door. And it was still empty. I checked the kitchen and it was empty. I even opened the closets, as if he might be hiding, ready to jump out and yell, "Surprise!"

But there was only silence.

I leaned against the wall, breathing hard. Where could he be? Aiden Please show yourself I said while tears gushed out of my eyes. I pulled out my phone and called him.

It rang once.

Twice. Then it directed me to voicemail.

My heart slammed against my ribs.

I tried calling him again.

But it wasn't successful, another Voicemail.

Again. Voicemail.

I wanted to scream, but I stopped myself. My hands were shaking so much that I dropped my phone.

It landed on the floor with a loud sound which made me realize that I had broken its screen.

I bent down to pick it up and I noticed something. A small white envelope was on the coffee table.

My name was written on it in Aiden’s handwriting. "No," I whispered while stepping back as if the envelope could burn me. But I couldn't leave it there. Slowly, I picked it up, with my fingers shaking.

I opened it.

There were only six words written inside.

"I’m sorry. I can’t do this."

I collapsed onto the couch with my legs giving way. The room spun around me, and my dress felt heavy. Tears clouded my eyes as I hugged the note, crying bitterly and uncontrollably.

I cried for the love I lost. I cried for the girl who believed too easily. I cried for the wedding that would never happen. I cried because of the betrayal.

Everything I had dreamed of crumbled in my hands.

The man I trusted the most had abandoned me.

Just like that.

Without a fight.

Without even facing me.

The memories came rushing back, stabbing my heart with every flash.

Our first kiss under the rain.

Our late-night talks about building a future together.

Our promises which were whispered in the dark.

Gone.

They are all gone.

I let out a loud, painful scream in the empty flat while I wrapped my arms around myself, swinging back and forth to comfort myself.

But somewhere in my heart, deep inside, something went off.

The pain grew into anger. The heartbreak fueled a fire.

I wasn’t going to let this destroy me. I wasn’t going to be the poor girl left crying in her wedding dress.

If Aiden thought he could break me, he was wrong. Because nothing surprises me again after my parents left me.

I wiped my face roughly and stood up.

My legs were still shaking, but I stood up straighter than before. I wasn't the same person who had walked into that apartment earlier.

I was done being weak.

Done being played.

And one day, Aiden Blackstone would regret the day he broke my heart.