The Doctor’s Betrayal

CHAPTER 3: WEDDING

THE DOCTOR’S BETRAYAL

CHAPTER 3: WEDDING

As I stood before the mirror, the delicate lace of my white dress cascading down my shoulders like a river of moonlight, I couldn't help but feel a sense of suffocating despair. The weight of the fabric seemed to press upon my skin, a constant reminder of the farce I was about to perpetuate. Of course, naroon ang mga kaanak ni Sebastian.

Today was the wedding of Sebastian's cousin, Bryce Vaughn, and his beautiful bride, Helena Rivera. And I, Gabriella Vaughn, was expected to play the role of doting partner to the man who made my heart ache with every fiber of his being.

Siguro naman ay kaya naman naming umarteng dalawa, ano? Sabagay, nagagawa naman namin iyon.

Sebastian's reflection appeared beside mine, his piercing gaze slicing through me like a shard of ice. Napatikom ako ng aking bibig.

He was resplendent in his tailored black tuxedo, his chiseled features chiseled from the very marble of perfection. Yet, despite his stunning appearance, his eyes told a different story—one of disdain, of disgust, of a deep-seated loathing that made my very soul tremble—Iyong tingin na alam mong hjndi ka magugustuhan at pinandidirian.

As we made our way to the ceremony, the guests couldn't help but fawn over us, their words dripping with saccharine sweetness. Akala mo naman talaga ay masayang-masaya kami ni Seb. Hawak-hawak ko ang kaniyang palad, habang siya naman ay nakangiti sa mga kumakausap sa amin.

"You two are meant to be!" they cooed.

"You're the perfect couple!" Ani pa ng isa.

I forced a smile onto my lips, a brittle, fragile thing that threatened to shatter at any moment. Sebastian, on the other hand, merely nodded, his expression a mask of polite indifference, kahit alam ko naman na pinandidirian niya lahat nang sinasabi nila tungkol ngayon sa amin.

Nakaupo lanang ako katabi ni Sebastian, my eyes fixed on the beautiful wedding ceremony. Bryce, Sebastian's cousin, was exchanging vows with his lovely bride, Helena. The sun shone brightly overhead, casting a warm glow over the entire scene—tila nagbibigay lalo ng ganda sa kasal nila.

But as I glanced over at Sebastian, I noticed something that made my heart skip a beat. His eyes, normally warm and kind, had turned cold and distant. It was a look I knew all too well, one that sent shivers down my spine. Sinundan ko kung ano ang tinitignan niya at iyon ang pinsan niya.

"Sebastian, what's wrong?" I whispered, trying to keep my voice low so as not to disturb the ceremony.

But he just shook his head, his gaze never leaving the happy couple. "Nothing." Iyon lang ang nakuha kong sagot.

I raised an eyebrow, sensing that there was more to it than that. And then, it hit me —the memory of our own wedding day, one that had been forced upon us by our families.

Sebastian's eyes seemed to cloud over as if the same memories were haunting him. Ganoon ba talaga niya mahindi gusto ang kasal namin? I felt a pang of guilt, knowing that our marriage had been far from conventional.

As the ceremony drew to a close, Bryce and Helena shared a tender kiss, and the crowd erupted into cheers and applause. Sebastian and I joined in, but I couldn't help feeling a sense of unease. Pilit na pilit ang mga ngiti ko habang napalakpak. Ganiyan na ganiyan kami noong kinasal kami.

As we made our way through the reception line, congratulating the happy couple, I couldn't shake off the feeling that Sebastian was distant, detached. Para niya akong nilalayuan. Napapansin na rin ito ng mga kalapit namin.

"Sebastian, can I talk to you for a minute?" I asked, tugging on his arm as we reached the end of the line.

Hindi pa siya nasagot ay hinila ko na siya, away from the bustling crowd.

"What's going on?" Kunot ang noo niyang itanong iyon sa akin.

I took a deep breath, trying to choose my words carefully. "I saw the look in your eyes during the ceremony. Pati na rin ang pagkunot ng noo mo’t paglayo sa akin. You were thinking about us, weren't you? About how we got married?"

Sebastian's expression turned guarded, but I could see the faintest glimmer of emotion in his eyes. Maging ang galit ay lumitaw.

"What if I was?" Sagot niya na may bahid ng kalma.

I felt a pang of hurt, knowing that he was still holding onto the past. "Sebastian, we've been married for years now. Can't we just move on from all that? Nagagawa mo naman ang gusto mo, hindi ba?"

Ngumisi siya, his eyes glinting with amusement. "Move on? Do you think it's that easy, Gabriella? You think I can just forget how we were forced into this marriage?"

I felt a surge of defensiveness, knowing that I had tried to make the best of our situation. "I've tried to make this marriage work, Sebastian. Despite everything, I've tried to be a good wife to you. Kahit harap-harapan mo na akong niloloko."

Sebastian's expression hardened, and for a moment, I thought I saw a glimmer of hell in his eyes. But then, it was gone, replaced by his usual softness.

"I know you have, Gabriella," he said, his voice low and husky. Kumalma ang puso ko sa narinig.

“I just keep wondering, what would have happened if we had been given a choice. Huh?"

I felt a pang of sadness, knowing that Sebastian still harbored resentment towards our families for forcing us into this marriage.

Maybe, just maybe, we could work through our issues and build a real marriage, one based on love and trust, rather than obligation and duty. Iyong hindi na kami ganito.

Mabilis lamang ang kasal, nagtungo na rin kami reception, sipping our champagne and pretending to be the happy couple, I couldn't help but feel a sense of unease. Sebastian's eyes were scanning the room, but not once did he glance in my direction. He seemed completely disinterested in me, in the wedding, in everything, matapos naming mag-usap kanina.

I tried to make small talk, attempting to break the tension that seemed to simmer between us like a living, breathing thing. "Sebastian, ano tingin mo sa reception? Maganda ba?" I asked, my voice light and airy, despite the turmoil that churned within me.

Sebastian's gaze didn't even flicker in my direction. He just kept staring straight ahead, his expression neutral, but his eyes flashing with a hint of anger. "It's fine," he muttered, his voice low and dismissive.

I felt a sting from his response, but I tried not to let it show. "The bride looks beautiful, doesn't she?" I asked, trying to keep the conversation going.

“Yes, mas gusto ko pa siyang asawa kaysa sa ‘yo.” Sebastian's response was a grunt. I felt a surge of frustration at his behavior, but I knew better than to push him. When Sebastian was in a mood like this, it was best to just leave him alone. Hinawakan ko ang dibdib ko, tila nakaramdam ng sakit sa sinabi niya.

Nagsayaw ang lahat pero hindi kami. Hinayaan ko lang na maging ganiyan siya, dahil kailangan ko lang din ng oras.

Sebastian's behavior didn't change. He didn't even pretend to be interested in me or the wedding. He just stood there, his eyes scanning the room with a mixture of disdain and boredom, habang pinapanood ko siya sa malayo.

I couldn't help but feel like I was reliving a nightmare. This was exactly how Sebastian had behaved during our own wedding like he was being forced to be there, like he would rather be anywhere else. Tinignan ko si Bryce, masaya naman siya kahit sapilitan lang din ang kasal nila ng asawaniyang si Helena.

The memories came flooding back, and I felt a wave of pain wash over me. Why did Sebastian have to be so cruel? Why did he have to make me feel like I was nothing to him? Bakit? Ganoon na ba ako kahirap tanggapin?