UNTIL HE REMEMBERS ME

Chapter 1*-* °•° The atmosphere was alive with little chatter, children tossing petals into the air, their laughter echoing as a stray balloon drifted away from the rest. Some tried to chase it, only to lose it to the ceiling's height. The adults were no less merry, glasses clinking as they exchanged light-hearted talks and warm smiles. Then the officiator cleared his throat, pulling the attention back to the couple on stage—two people who saw nothing else in that moment but each other. He looked at the groom with a goofy smile and read aloud, "Alexander Castillo, do you take Camila Rayes to be your lawfully wedded wife? Do you promise to love, honor, and cherish her, in good times and in bad, for as long as you both shall live?" Alex gazed at Camila, her eyes already misty. His voice was steady, his smile soft. "I do." The hall erupted into cheers, the sound swelling like they were the ones being promised to. Turning to the bride, the officiator grinned at her trembling lips and tearful eyes. "Camila Rayes, do you take Alexander Castillo to be your lawfully wedded husband? Do you promise to love, honor, and cherish him, in good times and in bad, for as long as you both shall live?" "I do," Camila whispered eagerly, her voice breaking into fresh tears that blurred her makeup once more. The couple held each other's hands as if letting go was no longer an option. A moment too perfect, like something lifted straight from a fairy tale. The officiator straightened, his tone more formal now as he addressed the room. "If any person here present knows of any lawful reason why Alexander Castillo and Camila Rayes may not be joined together in holy matrimony, speak now or forever hold your peace." The hall fell into a silence so sharp that even a sigh would have been heard. Eyes turned, searching one another, waiting. The officiator repeated, this time with more weight in his voice— A chair creaked, shattering the silence. Every head turned sharply toward the sound. From the middle row, a lady rose to her feet. Her dark hair was swept into a neat bun, with loose tendrils softening the sharpness of her face. The blue, flowery gown she wore swayed lightly as she adjusted it, the fabric catching the light in gentle ripples. Though she carried herself with poise, her youthful features made her look no older than a teenager. In her arms, two children slept soundly, their small heads nestled against her shoulders, their breathing calm and steady as if untouched by the weight of the moment. "I do," she said, smiling sheepishly. A wave of anger simmered through the hall. Camila's body shook violently, her lips trembling as though she wanted to scream out a denial but couldn't find the strength. Alex's gaze snapped toward the lady, his eyes narrowing with disgust. _Who was this stranger? He had never seen her before, yet here she was, shamelessly trying to wreck his wedding._ "Who is this?" a voice cried out from the crowd. Whispers rose like wildfire. "The child looks like Mr. Castillo…" someone murmured. "Woah—this is pure drama," another woman muttered, her eyes darting suspiciously at Isabella. The officiator cleared his throat, his voice rising in an attempt to restore order. But the hall was far too rattled; no one was listening. Then, with a sharp c***k, Mr. Castillo struck his cane against the floor. He rose, fury etched into his face, though his trembling hands betrayed a flicker of fear. "May I ask why, young lady?" he demanded, his voice hard but edged with unease. Everyone began chirping their opinions at once. "Someone drag this woman out!" an elderly man declared, his voice booming over the whispers. "Look at how poorly she's dressed," another called, pointing shamelessly to her gown. "At least she's pretty… and cute… and wonderful," a younger girl rambled nervously in her defense—until a cold glare from an older guest silenced her instantly. Isabella shifted back slightly, regret tugging at her chest. For a moment, she questioned everything. Was this the right decision? Should she have stayed silent for the sake of peace? Her eyes fell on her children, their innocent faces resting quietly against her arms. Her heart clenched. No—this had to be done. Sooner or later, the truth would come out. Better now than never. Her resolve hardened. "Alex," she said, her voice trembling but determined, "is the father of my two children." A collective gasp tore through the hall. "Ahhh!" the crowd echoed, the once-celebratory room dissolving into chaos. "What?!" Camila and Mrs. Castillo both shouted at the same time, their voices laced with disbelief. "Unbelievable…" Alex's voice cut sharply through the noise, like a blade slicing the air. His glare locked on Isabella, so piercing she thought her knees might give way under its weight. "I don't know you from anywhere, young woman," Alex said firmly, his tone unwavering. Camila staggered backward, her steps shaky. Her parents rushed to her side, steadying her as she broke down, sobbing into her mother's arms. The perfect day had shattered into pieces. "This child obviously resembles you!" an aunt from Camila's side burst out in anger. Her eyes burned with fury as she turned toward the Castillo family. How dare they bring shame upon us like this? she thought bitterly. "This wedding is cancelled," Mr. Castillo roared. His cane struck the floor one last time before he turned away, storming out of the hall in bitter disappointment. His wife rushed after him, her heels clicking against the tiles. "Rafael, wait! I believe our son is innocent. That woman is an imposter. Let the wedding go on and after that, the truth can be settled," Mrs. Castillo pleaded, her voice strained. Rafael stopped, his shoulders stiff. "What do you mean? Did you not see the innocent faces of those children? Do you want the Castillo bloodline to be questioned—reduced to illegitimacy?" His voice thundered across the hall. "Woman, don't meddle here. I will never accept this marriage." And with that, he walked out, his decision final. Camila's parents were livid. "I never knew Alex could be this loose!" Mrs. Rayes snapped, her eyes blazing with betrayal. "Even if you wanted to cheat, you should have at least told her you had children—children already three years old!" The audience erupted again. Some hurled insults at Isabella, calling her a homewrecker. Others muttered darkly about Alex, branding him a liar and a cheat. A few whispered pity for Camila, their gazes filled with sorrow. Alex, desperate, tried to approach Camila. "Please, listen to me," he urged, but her family formed a wall around her. Harsh words and accusations flew at him from every side. Camila's tear-streaked face turned toward him one last time. Her lips parted as though to speak, but instead, she broke into a sob and bolted from the hall, her parents following closely. Alex's jaw tightened, his fists clenching. His gaze locked on Isabella like a predator eyeing prey. The veins in his neck pulsed with rage as he stalked toward her. "How dare you!" he shouted, his voice booming through the room. Standing inches from her, his eyes burned into hers. "We're going for a DNA test. And if I find out these children aren't mine…" He laughed—a cold, menacing laugh that made the room shiver. "You'll regret the day you ever laid eyes on me." Cold chills ran through Isabella's body, wave after wave. _Was this really the man she brought her children to meet? Was this the same Alex she once thought would still love her?_ Her throat dried. She could only nod faintly, clutching her children tighter though her arms ached from their weight. The two little ones stirred but did not wake, their innocence painfully out of place in the storm that had erupted around them. Quietly, with trembling steps, Isabella followed.