RETURN OF THE FORGOTTEN BRIDE

Chapte Nine

NATALIE’S POV

The invitation hadn’t been addressed to me. Of course, it hadn’t. But I didn't need an engraved card to know the details of Richard and Jenna’s wedding. The date, time, and venue were whispered about in every social circle that mattered, a reminder of how quickly I had been erased from his life.

I arrived at the hastily decorated chapel. All I wanted was to sneak a glance at Richard who had forgotten me. As I sat in the Mitsubishi I'd borrowed from Amaya, outside the quaint chapel, watching the guests filter in, a storm churned inside me. The weight of the past few weeks—the doctor’s confirmation, the sleepless nights, the mounting uncertainty—had been on my mind. I wasn't supposed to be here. I promised to let him go, to leave quietly and spare everyone the drama.

Yet, here I was.

Subconsciously, I placed a hand over my stomach, a gesture both instinctive and surreal; one which I had just gotten after the news of being pregnant. It wasn’t just about me and Richard anymore. Not after this. It was more than all that.

With a steadying breath, I stepped out of the car and made my way towards the chapel. I wasn’t dressed for a wedding. It was damn obvious—my simple dress and flats a stark contrast to the glittering gowns and polished heels of the other guests. But my purpose wasn’t to blend in. It was to speak my truth before it was too late.

The chapel was even more beautiful than I’d imagined.

“So much for a rushed wedding,” I muttered in awe. Sunlight streamed through stained glass windows, casting vibrant colors across the polished wooden pews. The scent of fresh roses lingered in the air, and the soft hum of a string quartet filled the space.

I slipped inside, unnoticed at first, and lingered at the back. My heart was hammering as I took in the scene before me. Richard stood at the altar, his dark suit impeccably tailored, his face calm but distant. Jenna stood beside him, radiant in a stoned dress, her hand resting lightly on his arm.

They looked unpleasantly perfect together, like a painting coming to life. The sight made my stomach churn. It wasn’t jealousy—I had made peace with the end of my relationship with Richard. It was the injustice of it all, the way Jenna had swooped in and rewritten history as if I had never existed.

But this wasn’t about Jenna. It wasn’t even about Richard. It was about the life growing inside me, the life I hadn't asked for but was now responsible for.

The priest’s voice broke through her thoughts, solemn and rhythmic.

“Do you, Richard, take Jenna to be your lawfully wedded wife?”

My pulse quickened. my window was closing. I had to act now; If I didn't, I never would, anymore, and even if I did, it would never matter as much as it would, right now.

“Stop!” I said, my voice trembling but loud enough to carry through the chapel which went quiet.

Heads turned, a wave of gasps and murmurs rippling through the crowd. Jenna stiffened, her head snapping toward the interruption. Richard’s eyes widened in disbelief as his gaze met mine.

I took a step forward, my legs shaky but determined. “I need to speak to you, Richard. It’s important.”

“Stop her!” Natalya said with a loud voice from the raging number of guest seated

“This is insane,” Jenna hissed, her voice sharp and brittle. “You can’t just barge in here!”

I ignored her. My gaze and full attention was locked on Richard, who had stepped away from the altar, confusion and anger battling for control on his face.

“I..” he started to say, his tone a mix of shock and frustration. “What are you doing here?”

I hesitated, my voice stuck in my throat. This was harder than I imagined. The weight of the moment pressed down, threatening to crush my resolve.

“I’m pregnant,” the words tumbling out in a rush, “and it’s yours..” I said hesitantly but with determination. Richard had to know, regardless of what his next action would be.

I had imagined such news in a different light and not on the altar of a wedding between Richard and another woman.

The room fell silent, the collective gasp of the guests hanging in the air like smoke. Jenna’s face crumpled, her carefully composed façade shattering in an instant. Natalya’s face was lit with surprise and fury.

“You’re lying!” Jenna said, her voice laced with venom. “She’s lying, Richard. Don’t listen to her.”

“w***e!” She continued, “It's most definitely another man’s child!” jenna’s words were like a filthy rag thrown across my face.

“Don't you dare accuse me of what you are Jenna,” I snapped at her in anger.

I’m not lying,” I said firmly, turning back at Richard, my voice steady now. “I found out a few weeks ago. I wasn’t going to say anything—I didn’t want to ruin your life. But I couldn’t let you get married without knowing the truth.”

Richard stared at me, his face pale and unreadable. “I.. this… this can’t be true. Are you sure?”

“Yes,” I replied, “I have the doctor’s confirmation. I can show you if you want proof.”

Jenna stepped forward, her voice rising in desperation. “This is a stunt. She’s trying to ruin us. Don’t let her do this, Richard.”

“Enough,” Richard said, his voice cutting through the tension. He looked at me, his expression a mixture of disbelief and something else—concern, maybe, or fear. “Why now? Why didn’t you tell me sooner?”

I took a deep breath, willing herself to stay calm. “Because I thought I could handle it on my own. I didn’t want to complicate things for you. But as this day got closer, I realized I couldn’t stay silent. You deserve to know.”

Richard turned away, running a hand through his hair. The room buzzed with whispers, the guests too stunned to look away. Jenna stood frozen, her hands clenched into fists at her sides. Natalya and Lena had finally made their way to the altar, both looking stunned at the news i had just shared.

“This doesn’t change anything,” Jenna said, her voice trembling with anger. “We’re still getting married. Right, Richard?”

Richard didn’t answer immediately. Instead, he turned back to me, his eyes, as if in search. “What do you want from me?”

“I don’t want anything,” I said quietly. “Not money, not support. I just thought you should know.”

My words hung in the air, heavy with meaning. For a moment, no one spoke. Then, Richard let out a long sigh and turned to Jenna.

“I can’t do this,” he said, his voice soft but firm.

Jenna’s face twisted in disbelief. “What are you talking about? You’re going to throw this away for her?”

“It’s not about her,” Richard said, his tone weary. “It’s about the fact that I can’t make a promise to you while ignoring this.”

Jenna’s voice broke as I stepped closer to him. “Richard, please. We can figure this out. Together.”

But Richard shook his head. “I’m sorry, Jenna. I need time to think.”

The wedding was over. Guests shuffled out of the chapel and hurried into their cars, their hushed conversations filling the air. I stood outside, my arms wrapped around herself as I watched the scene unfold.

Richard in his dazzling tuxedo approached me, his expression unreadable. “I don’t know what will happen now,” he admitted.

“Neither do I,” I said honestly.

We stood in silence for a moment, the weight of the situation pressing down on us Finally, Richard spoke again.

“I need some time to process this,” he said. “But I want to do the right thing—for you and for the baby.”

I nodded, my chest tight with emotion. “That’s all I’m asking for.”

As Richard walked away, I felt a strange mix of relief and uncertainty. The future was a blank slate, full of possibilities and challenges I couldn't yet predict.

But one thing was clear: I had done what I needed to do.

And for now, that was enough.