The Night He Chose Her
1161 Words
Music.
The sound of classical music filled the air, but Aria was disturbed. Her heart pounded violently against her chest, and her hands trembled.
The conversation between Kieran and his best friend kept replaying in her mind like a broken record.
Sara was back.
And she knew—she had always known—that she could never compete with her.
Kieran returned to his seat, gesturing to the waiter for more champagne, deliberately avoiding her gaze.
A distant, almost disassociated look clouded his features, telling her everything she needed to know. His pale complexion and vacant eyes screamed the truth he wasn’t saying out loud.
“Yes?” the waiter asked as he approached.
Kieran didn’t bother answering. Instead, he grabbed two glasses of champagne and emptied them within seconds.
Aria watched him. No—she studied him. Maybe there was still hope. Maybe what they had was real enough. At least, it had been real to her.
A microphone crackled, and Kieran’s father’s voice boomed through the speakers.
“Now, we welcome to the stage my son, Kieran Lancaster!” His tone was brimming with pride. “I am so proud of him, and he has come a long way.”
Kieran finally met Aria’s gaze. Their eyes locked, and in that moment, she saw it—an apology. A silent plea for understanding.
Tears burned at the back of her eyes, her throat dry. Then, just as quickly, he looked away and stood.
At the same time, Aria reached for two glasses of champagne from a passing waitress’s tray. She downed them both in one go, ignoring the stares.
It was her way of bracing herself, but deep down, she knew—even ten glasses wouldn’t be enough.
She wiped at the corner of her eye as Kieran strode toward the stage.
“Aww, she’s crying,” someone whispered at a nearby table.
Aria clenched her fists, swallowing the bitterness rising in her throat. If only they knew. If only they understood that these were far from tears of joy.
Her chest felt like it was caving in. Her breath came in heavy, uneven gasps.
Kieran moved with the confidence of a man who had everything under control. When he reached the stage, his father pulled him into a hug and murmured something to him, though the microphone didn’t catch it.
Then, his father stepped aside, leaving Kieran alone under the blinding lights.
The room fell into an expectant hush.
He cleared his throat, brought the mic closer, and flashed a dazzling smile that sent the crowd into cheers.
There were so many people here. Faces from her high school, people she had personally invited to show off.
Please, God, this has to work out.
“I’m so happy to be here today,” Kieran began, his voice steady. “Today is a very special day, and my heart is filled with so much warmth and joy.”
His eyes found Aria’s in the crowd, and she exhaled a breath she hadn’t realized she was holding.
This was it. He was going to propose.
The doubt was gone from his gaze. There was certainty now—he had chosen her.
Tears welled in her eyes, but this time, they weren’t from heartbreak.
She rose to her feet, placing a hand over her chest. “I love you,” she mouthed.
Kieran’s lips curved into a smirk. “I love you, my boo bear.”
The crowd erupted into cheers, and warmth spread through Aria’s chest. He had chosen her.
But just as he was about to continue, murmurs stirred from the back of the room.
Then, silence.
Aria followed their gaze, turning her head.
And that was when she saw her.
Sara.
She looked ethereal, effortlessly captivating. The expression on her face said it all—she was here to steal the show. And maybe… her man, too.
Panic surged through Aria’s veins. She turned back to Kieran.
He was staring.
At her.
Like she was the only person in the room.
“No…” Aria whispered, her fingers trembling as she clenched them together. “Come on, Kieran… please.”
Her voice was barely audible over the roaring silence.
Ken stood beside Sara, his presence only making the moment worse.
Sara barely spared Aria a glance. Like she wasn’t even worth acknowledging.
“I—” Kieran’s voice broke the quiet. He let out a nervous chuckle.
Everyone turned back to him.
His father stiffened. “What are you doing?” he demanded, his voice a low, urgent whisper. “Don’t embarrass us. Don’t disgrace the family name.”
Kieran swallowed hard. His Adam’s apple bobbed.
Then, he exhaled sharply.
“I’m sorry, but I can’t do this.”
He looked at Aria, and this time, there was no mistaking it.
Regret.
Pain.
A silent farewell.
“I’m sorry.”
The words left his lips, but they struck her like a blade.
Tears spilled from her eyes, uncontrollable, unstoppable. She blinked furiously, trying to hold them back—but she couldn’t.
And then—he moved.
Off the stage.
Toward Sara.
No.
Aria refused to stand by and watch her life crumble before her eyes.
“No!” she cried, storming forward, blocking his path. “No!”
Her voice cracked with desperation as fresh sobs wracked her body. “You don’t get to do this! You don’t!”
“Aria, please—”
“Please?” she spat the word back at him. “That’s what you’re telling me? Please?!”
“Aria… you don’t get it.” His voice dropped, almost pleading. “I’m trying to protect you.”
“F*ck that!” Her voice shook with anger, her nails digging into her palms. “You don’t want to ‘protect’ me—you want to run back to your ex!”
Gasps rippled through the audience.
Kieran flinched. “What are you talking about?”
“I heard you,” Aria seethed, her breathing ragged. “I heard everything. You and Ken.”
His eyes widened. “You… eavesdropped on me?”
That’s what he was worried about?
“That’s what you care about?” Aria let out a sharp, bitter laugh. “Not the fact that you were planning to humiliate me? That you were planning to throw everything away for her? You make me sick.”
He scoffed. “I make you sick? Are you sure? Because you’re the one begging me to stay.”
A stunned silence stretched between them.
And then—slap.
Aria’s hand met his cheek in a forceful, resounding impact.
Gasps filled the room.
Kieran clenched his jaw, eyes darkening with an emotion she couldn’t quite place.
Sara stepped forward. “Kieran, no.”
Aria barely processed it.
Because in the next moment, Kieran exhaled heavily, turned to her, and said the words that shattered her into irreparable pieces.
“I’m sorry, Aria… but I choose Sara.”
- Writer
