HIS FAKE BRIDE

CHAPTER ONE

The calendar on her wall marked two days until her wedding, and Sarah's heart fluttered with each passing hour. Four years of love had led to this moment. Now, standing in front of her mirror, she could hardly believe any of this was real.

"Almost Mrs. Dallas," she whispered to her reflection, her hands tracing down the red silk robe Kevin always said brought out the fire in her eyes. Her cheeks warmed at the thought of him. The morning light filtered through her curtains, casting a soft glow that made everything feel dreamlike and perfect.

Kevin had left for his business meeting just yesterday, she was going to give him the best surprise ever. She fingered the spare key in her robe pocket, already imagining his face when he'd walk through his apartment door to find it transformed. She'd spent weeks planning every detail for this surprise– the golden balloons on his ceiling, His favorite dishes carefully cooked by her filling the air, and the small wedding-countdown cake she'd bake from scratch. Every ingredient had been carefully selected, every decoration thoughtfully chosen.

"The perfect surprise for the perfect man," Her cheeks turning red at the thought. She giggled lightly throwing her feet on the air like a little child. The excitement made her feel young again, reminding her of their first date when she couldn't stop smiling for days afterward.

Still wrapped in her silk robe, she gathered her surprise supplies with care. The cake box balanced carefully in one hand, grocery bags and balloons in the other – everything had to be perfect. She'd triple-checked her list, making sure not a single detail was forgotten. The vanilla extract for his favorite cake, the special wine they'd shared on their first anniversary, even the scented candles that reminded him of home.

The drive to Kevin's apartment was pure joy. She hummed along to love songs on the radio, occasionally breaking into full voice when her favorite chorus played. Her happiness bubbled over until she was practically dancing in the driver's seat. The spring morning seemed to mirror her mood – bright, hopeful, full of promise.

Then she saw it – Kevin's black SUV sitting in its usual spot.

Her singing died in her throat. The music suddenly felt too loud, and she quickly turned it off. That couldn't be right. She'd helped him pack that very car for his business trip just two days ago. She remembered the weight of his suitcase as she'd helped him load it, the lingering goodbye kiss that still made her tingle.

"Maybe he came back early?" she murmured, but the words felt hollow. Her fingers trembled slightly as she pulled out her phone. One ring. Two rings. Nothing. The silence on the other end seemed to mock her growing unease.

The elevator ride up felt longer than usual. The cheerful balloons bounced against her shoulder, their celebration now feeling oddly out of place. When she reached his floor, her heart nearly stopped – his door was slightly open, which was odd. The security-conscious Kevin she knew would never leave his door ajar.

Her hand trembled as she pushed the door wider. The first thing she saw made her blood run cold – a pair of red stilettos scattered carelessly by the entrance. These weren't her shoes and they definitely weren't Kevin's. The sight of them, so brazenly left there, made her stomach twist.

"Hello?" she called out weakly, her voice barely a whisper.

No answer. Maybe she was at the wrong house, she turned to walk away but her body protested. Something deep inside her needed to know, even as another part begged her to run.

As she walked inside, she saw a trail of clothes scattered on the floor leading to… a skirt crumpled where she stood followed by a sling top, a red lace bra, a tie, a belt and pants, her mind was on full alert, she didn't know she was holding her breath until she got to the door. Each discarded item told a story she didn't want to read, each step forward feeling like walking through quicksand.

It couldn't be.. He wouldn't…

Her thoughts stopped in its track as she stared in horror at the sight in front of her. The world seemed to tilt on its axis, reality warping into something unrecognizable.

It was a man that looked like Kevin from behind, she could spot him anywhere, and this man was on top of a red haired woman in a…wedding dress? The cruel irony of it struck her like a physical blow.

The rhythmic creaking and heavy breathing filled the room as the woman moaned, each one higher pitched than the last. The cake she held slipped from her thumb and shattered to the floor along with her heart. Both broken to pieces. The sound of it hitting the floor seemed to echo in the suddenly silent room.

"Ke.." she couldn't bring herself to call his name as her throat hitched and her face went pale.

The sound made Kevin look back, his face transforming from pleasure to horror in an instant. His horrified face matching hers. Time seemed to freeze in that moment, the world narrowing to just their locked gazes.

"How could you…" the words trailed off her lips like they were her last breath.

By the time he jumped off of the woman, the one on the wedding dress… her wedding dress, it was no other than her best friend? Ashley?!!?

Her best friend. Her maid of honor. In her wedding dress. With her fiancé.

That's was all it took for her to find herself in complete darkness, her body had gone numb as she hit the floorboard hard.

"Erin!" Ashley shouted.