The Untouchable Bride

Episode 6: The Betrayal

Ella and Ronald had just entered the room, after their passionate kiss in the living room. Ella felt a rush of adrenaline and guilt, as she realized what she had done. She had kissed Ronald, her husband and Stephen’s father, in front of Stephen. She had done it to hurt him, to make him jealous, to make him pay. But she had also done it to feel something, to feel alive, to feel loved. She had enjoyed it, more than she wanted to admit.

She fell to the ground, feeling embarrassed and confused. She touched her lips with her shaking hands, still feeling his warmth and pressure. She started an internal monologue. “What did I just do? I started it, but he could have stopped it. Yet… yet… he deepened it. What does that mean? Does he like me? No, that’s impossible. He was helping me out. Yeah, exactly. That’s what he was doing. But I can’t describe this.” She touched her heart, which was beating fast due to the tension. She had forgotten Stephen at that moment, as she began to think of how to face Ronald now. “What do I do?” She whispered to herself.

Ronald had followed Ella into the room, feeling a mix of emotions. He felt happy and hopeful, as he had just kissed Ella, his wife and Stephen’s ex-fiancée, in front of Stephen. He had done it to protect her, to comfort her, to support her. But he had also done it to express himself to an extent. He had loved it, more than he could say.

He saw Ella fall to the ground, looking lost. He felt a pang of concern and regret, wondering what she was thinking. He wanted to talk to her, to explain himself. But he didn’t. He knew it was complicated. He knew she was hurting. He knew she needed space.

He went to the bathroom to wash his face, trying to calm himself down. He started an internal monologue. “What did I just do? I followed it, but I could have resisted it. Yet… yet… I wanted it. What does that mean? Does she like me? No, that’s unlikely. She was using me. Yeah, probably. That’s what she was doing. But I can’t deny this.” He touched his chest, which was aching due to the longing. He had forgotten Stephen at that moment as well, as he began to think of how to face Ella now. “What do I say?” He muttered to himself.

He came out of the bathroom and saw Ella sitting on the bed, looking at him with a nervous and curious expression. He felt a surge of affection and courage, deciding to break the silence. He spoke to her, his voice gentle and steady. “Stop worrying and sleep it off.” He said, trying to sound casual and reassuring. He wanted to tell her that he was sorry, that he was happy. But he didn’t. He knew it was too soon. He knew she was scared. He knew she needed time.

Ella had also just realised that Ronald, her husband, could have heard everything after some thought. She felt trapped, cornered, and exposed. She didn’t know what to do, what to say, or what to think. She only knew that she had to get out of there, fast. Standing to her feet, she tried to open the door. "where are you going?" Ronald sighed. It's late get some rest. I bet you had a long day. “Ella stopped in her tracks, turned to Ronald and asked. "why are you not angry or demanding answers... I mean earlier." pointing towards the living room, her voice trailed off. Ronald sat on the couch. "hmmm, what should I ask... Let's see, do you like me?” "What!! No. Not at all" Ella hurriedly responded and sat on the bed looking straight into Ronald to affirm her words. "That's harsh, my heart," Ronald said touching his chest. "That's not what I mean. what I mean is...."

Ronald smiled and said, “It’s okay, Ella. I have no problem with the kiss earlier. And I stand by what I told you earlier. We are a couple, through thick and thin.” He said, trying to sound supportive and understanding. He wanted to tell her that he was glad and she could count on him. But he didn’t. He knew it was too much. He knew she was overwhelmed enough for the day and he knew she needed space.

He continued, “Now stop worrying, go and take your bath, then sleep. You look exhausted. Do you have work tomorrow?” He asked, trying to change the subject and lighten the mood. He wanted to talk to her, to ask her questions, to share his feelings. But he didn’t. He knew it was too soon. He knew she was nervous.

Ella nodded and said, “No, I’m still on leave. I have a few more days to relax.” She said, trying to sound casual and calm.

She stood up from the bed and walked towards him. She paused and said, “Oh, and thank you. Thank you for everything.” She said, trying to sound sincere and grateful. She wanted to say more, to express herself, to show him how much he meant to her. But she didn’t. She knew it was risky.

She leaned in and gave him a peck on the cheek, feeling a spark of electricity. She quickly ran to the bathroom, feeling a flush of heat. She closed the door behind her, feeling a wave of emotion. She had just kissed him, again, and she had liked it, again. She knew it was a problem, and she had to face it.

The sun was setting, casting a red glow over the bedroom. It reflected their passion and hope, as they had just shared their first kiss, and that they had felt something. They felt trapped, cornered, and exposed, as they didn’t know what to do, what to say, or what to think. They also felt free, liberated, and connected, as they knew what they wanted, what they felt, and what they meant.

Stephen on the other hand called Rebecca, arranging a meeting with her after he left Ronald's house. He was furious and needed someone to vent out to. They agreed to meet at their usual place which was a private bar a private bar where they could talk without being disturbed. He felt betrayed and humiliated by Ella, who had kissed his father in front of him. He wanted to confront her, to make her pay, to make her suffer. But he couldn’t. He had no power, no leverage, no support. He only had Rebecca, his accomplice and lover.

Stephen arrived at the bar and saw Rebecca sitting at a corner table. She looked bored and annoyed, playing with her phone. She didn’t even look up when he approached her. He sat down and slammed his fist on the table. “Can you imagine what I just witnessed?” He said, his voice loud and angry. He expected her to share his outrage, to comfort him, to console him. But she didn’t. She looked at him with cold and contemptuous eyes and finally shifted her gaze from her phone to Stephen. Her eyes, usually warm and inviting, were now cold, and her tone was anything but consoling. "It's over between us," she declared, her voice calm and unfeeling. The words hung in the air, a sudden and devastating blow that left Stephen momentarily speechless.

His mind whirled in confusion, unable to process what he was hearing. His partner in crime, the woman he'd shared his secrets and desires with, was ending their relationship without warning. As shock washed over him, he stammered, "Wait, what? What are you talking about?"

Rebecca's gaze remained unfazed, her voice piercingly cool. "Don't tell me you believed I genuinely cared for you. You were nothing but a pawn, a tool in my plan to bring down Ella. You served your purpose, and now you're of no use to me." Her words were like a slap in the face, and the reality of his own foolishness sank in.

He gaped at her, stunned by the revelation that he had been nothing more than a means to an end, a pawn in her manipulative game. "But I... I thought..." he stammered, his voice trailing off as he struggled to make sense of the sudden betrayal.

Rebecca's eyes showed no remorse, no empathy. "You thought wrong," she declared, her tone unwavering. "You're pathetic, Stephen, and you failed. I have no use for failures." Her final verdict was cruel, leaving Stephen reeling from the swift and brutal turn of events.

The reality dawned on him with a heavy sense of regret. He had been a willing participant in Rebecca's plot to tarnish Ella's reputation, and in the end, he had been used and discarded without a second thought. His anger had turned to bewilderment, and the realization of his own vulnerability left him speechless.

The bar was now filled with a palpable tension, the air heavy with the finality of their tumultuous relationship's end. Stephen, once a key player in Rebecca's sinister scheme, had now served his purpose and been cast aside without mercy. Emotions swirled within him, a turbulent mix of anger, pain, and regret. He wanted to say something, to defend himself, to attack her, or even to beg for another chance. But words failed him, leaving him feeling powerless and alone.

This moment was not just the end of a romantic relationship but also the end of trust and a shared vendetta against Ella. It was the beginning of a new chapter, and Stephen was painfully aware that he was starting it alone.