Left at the Altar by a Billionaire

Valeria's POV “What did he say?” I texted fast on the phone before clutching the palm against the bouquet in my palms. It was my wedding day— or perhaps it wasn't. Because the groom hadn't shown up yet. “We're trying to reach him. It's impossible,” Selena, my best friend texted back and I choked down my sob as I raised my head to the audience. They were beginning to murmur between themselves now, eyes expectant, some looking to the door. “I'm shaking, I think I'll fall soon,” I texted and gasped. Tears stung my eyes and I blinked repeatedly, holding the bouquet as emotional support. Barely a minute, Selena dashed from wherever she was and met me on the altar. “Breath, Val, breath,” her hand steadied me as my breath faltered. My gaze drifted to the audience and knots tightened more in my throat as a sob forcefully escaped my mouth. “Val, maybe it's a minor issue,” Selena stood in front of me instantly, hiding my crying frame from the crowd. She grabbed my jaw, dabbing the handkerchief on my face, “breathe Val. Maybe it's just a deal he had to attend to. It has to be .” On his wedding day? Would Harlan really leave to go for an important deal? But if… if that was the case, it would be better. Better than the abandonment I feared— the one that loomed ahead. I sniffed as Selena finally managed to wipe my tears. “Others are trying to reach him, just hold on.” I nodded, catching the priest's confused eyes. Unable to look at him, I looked to the crowd and at once my gaze met with my mother's. She only gazed plainly at me and I tore my eyes away from her because if I looked further, it'll only heighten the anxiety in my chest because she had told me not to go ahead with the wedding. “I'm trying to reach his assistant,” Selena called the assistant furiously. And unlike, Harlan's number that didn't go through, his assistants went through but he didn't pick up. “Maybe he told him not to pick,” I sniffed, my lips grounding against each other and my chest tightened. “Maybe he wouldn't go on with this wedding. Maybe he thinks we're not meant for each other like everyone thinks,” “Valeria —” “Maybe I was just dreaming too much, standing here in front of everyone waiting for him. Maybe I'm just stupid, Selena,” I gasped as my tears rolled down uncontrollably. At once, Selene pulled me into her chest, turning my head from the crowd that stretched in the hall. Camera lights were flashing now, eyes darting towards me, whispers threading through the guests like electricity. “I think we're having a bit of a problem here,” Selene held me tightly, “we would be back when we get everything together,” she wiped my face and grabbed my arms. As we made to descend the stage, the phone in my hands pinged and my heart stilled. Selena's hold on me loosened while my heart raced. Did he send a text? Was he about to say he was coming? Was he about to tell me the trouble he encountered that made him late? But the text wasn't from Harlan. It was from his assistant. With shaky hands, I clicked on it, my heart pounding in my chest. “Mr Harlan wouldn't be going further with the wedding.” The words hit me like a punch on my stomach. My fingers trembled and the phone slipped out of my hands, crashing hard against the floor with the bouquet. For a long moment, I couldn't breathe. My heart thudded painfully, my eyelids battling hard against each other as I tried to convince myself it wasn't real. But it was… the text wasn't a mistake. He really wasn't coming. The thought slammed hard into me. “Val,” Selena grabbed me, her lips moving but my ears couldn't figure out a sound. The murmurs of the guests faded into a distant hum and the room blurred at the edges as my tears fell. My stomach knotted as the truth sank further in. He made me wait when he didn't want to get married. And he couldn't let me know beforehand. He made me get dressed, travel, then stand on the altar, waiting. Then he cancelled — without an explanation. He didn't even find me worthy of a text from him. Heat rushed to my face, not embarrassment exactly but the raw sting of betrayal. The air in the room hit my skin, cold and merciless. “Val!” Selena shook me and I blinked as I finally figured her out through the chaos in my mind, “what happened?” She looked at the phone that was in shambles on the floor, “what did the text say?” “He's not coming,” my voice wavered and a hush fell onto the crowd while more lights flashed at my face. “He's not going ahead with the wedding,” I grabbed the hem of my clothes instantly, dashing out while the crowd turned into an uproar behind me. “Val!” Selena buckled after me while I kept running as fast as my legs could carry me. I took every turn my eyes rested on hoping that could make the sting disappear. Finally, my legs gave way and I crashed onto the floor, gasping for breath. “Val!” Selena finally caught up with me, panting, “what do you mean? Did he say that?” “His assistant sent it,” my voice muffled into a weep, “he ditched me, Selena.” “No way,” Selena's eyes widened before she reached for me, “It's okay, Val. Everything will be fine.” Selena grabbed my head instantly while I wept in her arms, every vision I had with Harlan crashing. The two kids I wanted to have. The way I thought I'd fix his tie and make him dinner when he comes back from work. “It's all gone, Selena,” I sniffed, holding her tight, “it's all gone.” “And what's this? Crying in the middle of your wedding, Valeria?” The voice cut into my moment of tears and I pulled away. My eyes caught sight of Selena's dress stained with my messy makeup before I looked up to find her — Evelyn, Harlan's sister. Her gaze pierced me, cold and measured, and I felt smaller than ever.