He Stole My Wedding, I Walked Away

Sunlight streamed through the stained-glass windows of the church, falling softly on Edward Smith's face. His features were gentle, his jawline sharp. He looked like a meticulously carved piece of jade, radiating a serene beauty. But right now, his eyes were cold as he looked at me, completely devoid of emotion. "June, I can't marry you. Lily saved my life, and now she can never have children. I can't just turn my back on her." My heart ached as I looked at Lily Smith standing beside him. She was wearing the same wedding dress as I was. Only now, I was the joke. Blinking back tears, I lifted my gaze. "Take back your words, and I'll pretend this never happened." Edward stared at me with his deep, dark eyes. "I'll give you anything you ask for, except marrying you." I laughed. What a generous offer—"anything except marrying me." Nine years of knowing each other, five years together. In the end, it was all just a dream. I reached up, took off my veil, and dropped it to the floor. "Forget it. Since you've chosen her, I'll let you go. From now on, we don't see each other, we don't think of each other. May we both find peace." With those words, I turned and walked out of the church. Behind me, the priest's voice rang out. "Edward Smith, do you take Lily Smith to be your lawfully wedded wife, to love her, honor her, and cherish her, for all the days of your life? And never forsake her?" "I do." Edward's voice was firm and resolute. My eyes reddened as I hurried out. How ironic—he had said the same thing to me once. 'Edward will never let June down, not in this lifetime.' But now he had abandoned me, marrying another woman on what was supposed to be our wedding day. All because that woman had pushed him out of the way when he got into a car accident. He gave her his whole life, even knowing it would break my heart, without a second thought. Lost in thought, I was jolted by the screech of tires. I was hit and sent rolling several feet across the ground. Blood slowly trickled from my nose. The crimson stained my white wedding dress like blooming roses. Watching the birds circling above, I smiled. Edward, if there's a next life, I don't want to have anything to do with you.