BILLIONAIRE'S REGRET

Chapter 1: A Wedding to Forget

"Doesn't she look stunning in white?"

The remark cut through the music, the conversation, and the clinking of champagne glasses as it swept through the packed ballroom like a chilly wind. My hold on the glass tightened as I tensed up. Liana did appear beautiful, even radiant, but not for the reasons that everyone assumed. I saw the truth—the deceptions, the plots, the meticulously woven web that had caught him—beyond the façade of lace and innocence.

Ethan.

He was standing at the edge of the dance floor, his hand lightly resting on Liana's waist, when I looked at him. His eyes conveyed a different message than his well-practiced and courteous grin. A tale of struggle, hurried decisions, and disregarded repercussions.

"Are you okay, Amara?" Evelyn's voice interrupted my train of thought. My mother's hand brushed mine as she stood next to me. As usual, her clothes were spotless, but there was a worried shade over her eyes.

I gritted my teeth. "Obviously. Why wouldn't I be?

She scowled, but before she could say anything more, the dance floor erupted in laughter. Ethan's face flickered uneasily as Liana, in all her bridal splendor, leaned into his ear and whispered something in it before he returned to his submissive mask.

My stomach turned at the sight. I turned aside, pretending to be interested in our table's ornate centerpiece, a garish arrangement of white lilies and roses that looked too good to be true.

The emcee's voice blasted through the speakers, "Ladies and gentlemen." "The couple's first dance as husband and wife is about to begin, so please make your way to the dance floor!"

As the audience cheered, I lowered myself in my chair and prayed to vanish. The weight of everything bearing down on my chest caused the room to briefly distort. My own flesh and blood, my younger sister, had taken the man I had once hoped to marry. And now I find myself witnessing them start their life together, caught up in this bizarre nightmare.

A gentle, romantic tune that seemed to mock me began to play. Liana accepted Ethan's hand with a sly smile, as though she hadn't worked hard to get here through lies and manipulation.

I was unable to observe. No more.

I mumbled as I got up from my chair, "I need some air."

Evelyn reached for me, but before she could stop me, I drew away. As I made my way through the throng of spectators and well-wishers, my heels clattered on the marble floor. The ballroom's opulent doors stood in front of me, and I shoved them open with such force that the neighboring attendants were shocked.

The biting, cool nighttime air was like a blow to my face. With unsteady gasps of air, I stepped onto the terrace. Before me, the sparkling metropolitan skyline was unconcerned with my suffering.

I held onto the stone railing, feeling grounded by the chilly surface. "Amara, why did you come?" I said to myself in a whisper.

Because it would have been worse to stay away. Because I still harbored the hope that this was all a lie, that Ethan would awaken and recognize Liana's deception.

I tensed at the sound of footsteps approaching.

"I was hoping to see you here."

I got a chill at the deep, familiar voice. My pulse thumping, I turned slowly as Ethan came into sight. Up close, I could sense the stress in his posture and the strain in his expression, even though he was still wearing his tuxedo with every perfect detail.

I spoke more sharply than I meant to when I said, "You shouldn't be here."

"But here I am, nonetheless."

He took a few steps closer and stopped. It seemed both too close and too far away.

"I noticed you left," he remarked in a measured, cautious tone. "Are you okay?"

I gave a sour laugh. That's what you're asking me? Of all days, today?

He winced, but his eyes remained fixed. "I didn't mean—"

"No, Ethan," I cut in, raising my voice.

At this point, you don't have to act worried. Remember, you made your decision? You picked her.

Between us, a thick, oppressive silence hung. His hands clenched into fists at his sides as he cast his gaze downward.

Finally, his voice was hardly audible above a whisper, "She's my wife now, Amara."

I didn't let him know how hurt I was, even though the words were like a blow. She is, indeed. Congratulations.

I looked away, my knuckles whitened from the tight grasp I had on the railing. Tears filled my eyes and obscured the city lights, but I blinked them aside so he wouldn't see me cry.

"Amara..." He now spoke in a gentler, almost beseeching tone.

I interrupted him and said, "Ethan, go back inside." "Your bride is awaiting you."

I briefly believed he was going to quarrel, but then I heard his footsteps backing up. I breathed a trembling breath as the door clicked behind him, the encounter's weight-bearing down on me.

I was distracted from my thoughts by the sound of rustling clothes, but I couldn't tell how long I stood there looking out over the city. Liana was standing in the shadows as I turned around, expecting to see another visitor.

A smile curved her lips, but it stopped short of her eyes. Her voice was brimming with fake sweetness as she said, "Are you enjoying the view?"

My chest tightened as I straightened. "Liana, what do you want?"

Her white robe caught the light from the terrace lighting as she took a step closer. I only wanted to see how my beloved sister was doing. You appeared to be... uneasy.

I balled my fists, the impulse to strike out nearly overwhelmed me. Preserve the performance. I'm not feeling it.

With a gleam of victory in her eyes, her smile grew. Be careful, Amara. Wouldn't we want to make a big deal out of my wedding day?

Her comments' boldness set a fire in my chest. I stepped forward and looked her in the eye. "Liana, you've done enough harm already. Don't press me.

She laughed lightly and carelessly, as though she was playing a game. Oh, Amara. It's always very dramatic. Maybe Ethan wouldn't have picked me if you hadn't been so... predictable.

I kept the words from her, even though they were more hurtful than I wanted to acknowledge. Despite the storm roaring inside of me, I answered, "You might have him now." "But don't assume that this is the end of it."

For a moment, her smile wavered, but then it came back. "We'll check on that."

She then turned and left, disappearing into the ballroom as her heels clicked against the stone.

My heart was racing as I glanced after her. There was still a long way to go.

And when the terrace grew quiet again, one idea began to germinate in my head: Liana was gravely incorrect if she believed she had won.