The Star’s Return

It was the night before Emma Claire’s wedding, and the atmosphere was a swirl of excitement and anxiety. Her bachelorette party had been a mix of laughter, champagne, and some memories that were already blurring together in a haze. Emma had spent the night drinking and celebrating with her closest friends, but now, as the evening faded, she found herself feeling more tired than excited. “Emma, honey, you okay?” one of her friends asked, as Emma leaned against the wall near the door of the club. “I’m just… I’m so tired,” Emma said, her voice thick with fatigue. “I should probably go home.” “You sure? We’re just getting started!” her friend teased, but Emma just shook her head. “I think I’ve had enough fun for tonight. I’ll catch you guys later,” Emma said, giving a half-hearted wave as she stepped out of the club. Outside, the cool night air hit her face, and she breathed a sigh of relief. Her fiancé, Davis Williams, was waiting for her in the car, parked just across the street. She staggered slightly as she made her way over to him, her heels clicking on the pavement. “Hey, babe,” Davis said as she climbed into the passenger seat, his smile lazy and warm. “How was the party?” “I’m ready to sleep,” she said with a half-laugh, then winced at the thought of the headache building in her temples. “Maybe just one more night of partying, then I’ll be a proper wife.” “You’ve earned it,” Davis said, laughing as he started the car. As they drove back to their apartment, the silence settled between them. Emma leaned back in the seat, closing her eyes for a moment. She could feel the weight of her exhaustion pulling at her, but she tried to stay awake. It was hard, though, with the alcohol still buzzing through her system. Inside their apartment, Davis carefully helped Emma inside. The room was dimly lit, the only light coming from the lamp beside their bed. He gently guided her toward the bed, tucking her in with tender care. “Goodnight, Emma. Sleep well, tomorrow’s your big day,” he said softly, brushing a strand of hair away from her face. Emma murmured something in response, but she wasn’t fully awake anymore. Her body was exhausted, her mind heavy. She closed her eyes and tried to relax, letting the warmth of the bed envelop her. But as soon as her eyes closed, something didn’t feel right. Emma’s eyelids fluttered open, the pain in her head making her groan as she slowly became more aware of her surroundings. Her vision was blurry at first, but as she blinked a few times, she could make out the figures across the room. There were two people. A man and a woman, kissing. The woman’s hands were all over the man, and he was pulling her closer, a smile on his face that Emma had never seen before. Emma’s breath caught in her throat. She tried to make sense of what she was seeing. It couldn’t be what she thought it was. No. It couldn’t be. “Davis?” Emma’s voice cracked, but neither of the figures seemed to hear her. She tried to sit up, but the throbbing pain in her head was too much. “Stop it, Sophia,” the man’s voice, Davis, echoed across the room. “Emma’s asleep. Let’s go to another room.” Sophia’s voice was playful, almost taunting. “Afraid she’ll wake up?” “You’re getting married tomorrow,” Davis replied. “Give yourself to me tonight, just this once.” The words hit Emma like a slap in the face. She could feel a burning sensation rise in her chest as anger swirled inside her. The man she was about to marry, her fiancé, was cheating on her right in front of her. It didn’t make sense. How could this be happening? Sophia’s voice was sultry. “Let’s just do it right here. In front of her. Let her see what she’s losing.” “No, Sophia, this is too much,” Davis said, though he didn’t sound convinced. “I don’t want to mess this up for tomorrow.” But it was too late. Emma’s heart broke into pieces as she watched them kiss again, their hands all over each other. Her stomach twisted in agony. Tears blurred her vision, and she squeezed her eyes shut to try and block it all out. “Why, Davis? How could you do this to me?” she whispered to herself, but the pain made it hard to think clearly. Sophia walked toward Emma after a moment, her eyes glinting with malice as she whispered softly, “I’m pregnant, Emma. Davis is mine. I’m not going to let you marry him tomorrow. He’s mine, and I’m not going to let you take him from me.” Emma’s fists clenched as her mind raced, her heart shattered in a thousand pieces. She wanted to scream, to shout, but she couldn’t. She just sat there, frozen, her tears falling silently. Suddenly, Emma heard Davis’s voice again, distant and faint. “Let’s go to the bathroom, Sophia. The tub is my favorite spot anyway.” Sophia smiled wickedly. “Fine, I’ll fill it up. Wait here.” When the door clicked shut behind them, Emma could feel a surge of anger rise within her. She could barely understand what was happening, but she could feel her world crumbling apart. Three years ago, Emma had been a top model. She had everything, a career, fame, and love. But she had given it all up for Davis, believing in their future together. She had trusted him. But now, she realized everything she had done was only to make room for someone else to steal him away from her. The anger burned hotter now, a deep, furious feeling taking root in her chest. How could he do this? How could he betray her like this? But what hurt the most wasn’t the betrayal itself, it was the fact that she hadn’t seen it coming. It was the fact that he had lied to her, promised her things that now meant nothing. A sob broke free from Emma’s chest. She couldn’t stop it. She couldn’t stop the hurt, the anger, or the tears. Sophia was already gone, leaving Emma alone in the dark room, her world shattered. Her mind raced. She was supposed to be getting married tomorrow. The day she had dreamed about for years. But now, that dream was gone. Davis had shattered it with a single betrayal. The sound of Davis’s voice echoed from the bathroom. He wasn’t speaking to her; he wasn’t even acknowledging her presence. All she could hear was him and Sophia laughing, their voices muffled by the walls. Hours passed. Emma lay in bed, staring at the ceiling, trying to block out the sound of her own heartbeat. She heard Davis leave the apartment, but it didn’t bring her any peace. Her wedding day was the next morning, but Emma knew she couldn’t marry a man who had done this to her. The next day arrived in a blur, and Emma found herself standing outside City Hall. Her car was parked at the curb, but she could barely move. She reached into her purse for her phone, dialing Davis’s number. It rang and rang before he finally picked up. “Davis, where are you?” Emma asked, her voice shaking. His voice was cold, almost distant. “Sophia got hurt on stage. I have to be with her. We’re going to have to postpone the wedding.” Emma’s heart dropped. “Postpone it? What do you mean, postpone it?” “You heard me. I can’t be there today, Emma. I’m with her right now. I’ll call you later.” Emma stood still, her phone pressed to her ear as he hung up. She wanted to scream, to shout, but the only sound she could make was a small, broken sob. She dropped the phone into her purse and turned away. As Emma walked toward her car, tears burned her eyes. She was alone. Abandoned on her wedding day. But then, something unexpected happened. A tall figure approached her, cutting through her tears. His navy suit, perfectly tailored, caught her eye. His shoes shone like they were made of glass, and his posture was commanding, like a man who had everything under control. He was a stranger, but his presence was magnetic. Aiden Brooks. The CEO of Darius Entertainment.