Once Betrayed, Forever Loved

The sweet, intoxicating scent of fresh lilies and red roses filled the air of Petals & Co., but to Lily, the fragrance smelled like hope. Today was Valentine’s Day, and for the past three years, this day had always been just another busy shift. But not today. Today, Lily was in love. With careful, delicate fingers, she tied a crimson satin ribbon around a small, hand-wrapped velvet box. Inside was a simple silver watch—something she had saved up for over six months, skipping meals and walking miles to work just to afford it. It was for Marcus. Her boyfriend. The only person who made her feel like she wasn’t completely alone in this cold world after her father passed away. "Lily, darling, we have a last-minute emergency delivery!" her boss, Mrs. Gable, called out from the back, holding a massive, cascading bouquet of white orchids and red roses. "It needs to go to the Grand Crystal Ballroom right now. They’re setting up for a luxury wedding, and they’re short on the main altar arrangements." Lily wiped her hands on her apron, a bright, breathless smile lighting up her face. "I'll take it, Mrs. Gable! The ballroom is right on my way to meet Marcus. I can drop it off and go straight to our dinner." "You’re an angel. Hurry up, the wedding starts in an hour!" Lily carefully loaded the heavy, breathtaking floral arrangements into the delivery cart. Her heart hammered against her ribs with pure excitement. She could already picture Marcus’s smile when she surprised him. She could almost feel his warm hands wrapping around hers, pulling her into his chest to shield her from the winter breeze. The Grand Crystal Ballroom was the most expensive venue in the city—a place where only the ultra-rich could dream of stepping foot. When Lily arrived, the towering glass doors were adorned with white silk and fairy lights. It looked like a fairytale. Pushing her cart through the grand entrance, she marvelled at the sheer luxury. Crystal chandeliers hung from the high ceilings, casting a warm, romantic glow over hundreds of empty velvet chairs. She walked toward the main altar, her eyes scanning the gorgeous decorations, until she stopped dead in her tracks. Her breath caught in her throat. The bouquet of flowers in her hands suddenly felt as heavy as lead. At the entrance of the aisle stood a massive, beautifully decorated welcome board. Painted in elegant, shimmering gold letters, the words pierced through Lily’s eyes straight into her heart: "Welcome to the Wedding of Sarah Vance & Marcus Thorne." Lily’s vision blurred. Marcus Thorne. "No... no, it's a mistake. It’s just a common name," she whispered to herself, her voice trembling, her hands shaking so violently that the petals of the orchids shivered. But deep down, she knew. Sarah was her best friend. The only friend she had trusted with her deepest secrets, her struggles, and her tears. Right at that moment, the side doors of the altar opened. Out stepped a man in a flawless, tailored black tuxedo. His hair was perfectly styled, and a nervous, happy smile played on his lips. Beside him, holding his arm, was a woman in a breathtaking, backless lace wedding gown, her face glowing with pure joy. It was Marcus. And Sarah. Lily felt the air completely leave her lungs. The world around her fell into a deafening, suffocating silence. She stood frozen in the middle of the aisle, a ghost at the feast of the two people she loved most. Marcus turned his head, his eyes casually sweeping the room, until they locked onto Lily. In an instant, the color drained from his face. His confident smile shattered, replaced by sheer, naked terror. Beside him, Sarah followed his gaze, her eyes widening in shock as she gasped, her hand flying to her mouth. Lily looked down at the velvet box in her pocket, then up at the man who, just last night, had kissed her forehead and told her she was his entire world. She didn't scream. She didn't cry. The pain was too deep, too sharp, slicing through her very soul. With trembling hands, Lily placed the luxury bouquet onto the nearest table. She met Marcus’s panicked eyes one last time, let out a hollow, broken breath, and turned around. She ran. She ran out of the ballroom, out into the freezing winter air, tears finally bursting from her eyes, scalding her cold cheeks. The fairytale had turned into her worst nightmare. And she had no idea that back at her house, an even darker storm was waiting to tear her life apart.