AFTER THE LAST I DO

Rachel's pov It was the happiest day of my life. I stood in front of the mirror, dressed in white satin and lace. My makeup was perfect, my hair curled just the way he liked it. Everyone kept saying how beautiful I looked. But all I wanted was to hear him say it, my groom, my best friend, the love of my life. My heart was full. I kept thinking, this was really happening. I was finally getting married to the man who changed my life. As the soft music started to play outside, I took a deep breath. My bridesmaids smiled at me and fixed my dress. The air smelled of fresh roses and perfume. Everything looked magical. But inside, I felt a sharp pain. My mom wasn’t there. She was in the hospital, sick, weak, barely able to speak when I last saw her. She told me to go ahead with the wedding, that she would watch the videos later. She had been diagnosed with coronary artery disease weeks earlier. She smiled through her pain and said, “You’re marrying the right man, Rachel. He’ll take care of you, even when I’m not there.” Her words kept echoing in my heart. Mom was the only person who ever truly loved me, other than him. I met Liam eight years ago, when I was just eighteen and had just gotten into college. Back then, I was shy, lonely, and invisible to most people. School was hell. I wore secondhand clothes. My hair was always in a messy ponytail. Girls whispered about me in the hallway. Boys laughed when I walked by. I tried to make myself small, to disappear. I ate lunch alone in the library, hoping no one would notice me. But he noticed me. Liam was quiet too, but popular because of his looks and charm. He sat near me in Chemistry class. One day, someone threw a piece of paper at my head and called me names. I tried to pretend it didn’t hurt, but my eyes filled with tears. When the bell rang, I rushed outside to hide behind the gym. Then he came. He didn’t say much. He just sat beside me and handed me his hoodie. “You don’t deserve that,” he said softly. “People are cruel, but that’s not your fault.” That was the first time anyone defended me. After that, he started walking with me in the halls. He saved me a seat in class. He shared his lunch when I didn’t have enough money for mine. We talked about books, music, silly things, serious things. I laughed with him more than I ever had in my whole life. He became my safe place. One night, during senior year, he came over to study. My mom was working the night shift. It was just the two of us in the living room, books open, snacks on the table. At some point, our hands touched. We looked at each other, and everything just… shifted. That night, I gave him my body. My first time. I was scared. I didn’t know if I’d be good enough, if it would hurt. But Liam was gentle, patient. He kissed every part of me like I was something precious. He held my hand the whole time. And when it was over, he didn’t run. He wrapped his arms around me and whispered, “You’re mine now. And I’m yours.” I never forgot that night. I never forgot how he made me feel. Wanted. Loved. Years later, I walked down the aisle toward him. The guests rose to their feet. The music swelled. My dress flowed behind me. I saw him standing there in the navy-blue suit we picked together. He looked so handsome. His brown eyes shined when he saw me. I felt my chest tighten. This was it. He was still my everything. My Liam. As I took slow steps down the aisle, I remembered everything we’d been through. The time I failed my college exams and cried into his chest. The time he called me at 2 a.m. just to hear my voice. The time he protected me from the wrath of my father, who saw me as his worst mistake. The way he held my mom’s hand when she got sick and promised to be there for us. He kept me going when I wanted to give up. He wasn’t just my first love. He was my only love. I reached the altar and took his hand. He gave me a small smile. It calmed me. My heart felt light. The priest began speaking, but his words were a blur. All I could hear was my own heartbeat and the sound of Liam breathing beside me. Then the priest turned to me. “Do you, Rachel Hart, take this man to be your lawfully wedded husband?” “Yes,” I said, without letting the priest finish. “Yes, I do.” People smiled. There was warm laughter in the crowd. Even Liam gave a small chuckle. I turned to him, smiling like a fool, waiting for his turn. Then the priest said, “Do you, Liam Brooks, take this woman to be your lawfully wedded wife?” I blushed. I couldn’t wait to officially have him all to myself, and I knew he wanted me so much too. I smiled sheepishly at him, waiting for that final answer from him. There was silence. A long, cold silence. My smile faded. I looked up at Liam. He wasn’t smiling anymore. His face was tight. His eyes dropped to the floor. My stomach twisted. Then I heard his voice. “No.” I froze. I felt like I had just been slapped across the face. A gasp moved through the crowd like a wave. I thought I heard someone whisper, “Did he just say no?” I blinked, confused. My chest started to ache. “I can’t,” he said, voice barely above a whisper. “I’m sorry… I just can’t do this.” The world went silent. My hands began to shake. I stared at him, waiting for him to laugh, to say it was a joke. But he was serious. He let go of my hand. And just like that… the boy who saved me, the boy who gave me my first kiss, my first everything… left me standing there at the altar, alone. On our wedding day.