04
Outside the church, Caleb walked me to the car.
But he kept checking his phone until a message appeared,
Panic flickered across his face before he quickly masked it with a serious expression.
“Baby, something happened to a friend. I need to go take care of it.”
He kissed my forehead apologetically,
“I’m sorry. Go home and get some rest. Tomorrow’s our wedding day. I haven’t seen you in you dress yet. I’ve prepared a surprise–you’ll love it.”
I turned my head slightly and nodded. “Okay, go. I’ll wait for you to pick me up tomorrow.”
He smiled, relieved, patted my hand gently, then got into another car and drove off.
I closed my eyes, trying to calm the storm inside me.
Moments later, a notification lit up my phone.
It was a video by Elena.
In it, she was wearing the wedding dress I had ordered.
PL
On her finger was the massive diamond ring that Caleb had custom–made for me.
Caleb gently stroked her hair, eyes full of tenderness,
“Why are you so foolish?” he said. “You shielded her from that wooden plank. What if you’d been hurt?”
“I didn’t do it for her,” Elena–replied. “I did it for you. She’s your wife. It’s the least I could do.”
His eyes wavered slightly, then his hand slipped to the bottom of her back.
“Elena, after today, you can finally relax. I’m sure what happened at the banquet has already spread throughout town. Elena will be branded a whore forever. She’ll never be a threat to your place in Caleb’s heart again.”
“Caleb, thank you for thinking of me,” she whispered sweetly. “But it’s not fair to you. You’re sc powerful, yet you’re forced to marry someone like her…”
“I don’t need anything in return,” he said hoarsely. His eyes darkened with lust.
“Let me be your bride today, just for a day,” she offered.
“No, Elena,” he said, his voice thick with desire. “I want this. Elena… She means nothing. What matters is your happiness. I’ll do anything for that.”
The video ended, but I had no time to breathe.
Another one followed.
“I can only be with her at night when the lights are off, pretending she’s you,” Caleb’s voice moaned. “Elena, my good Elena, come to your brother…”
The driver chuckled from the front seat.
Alarmed, I looked up and noticed the route outside the window was unfamiliar–not heading home, nor to the hospital.
3:37 pm
“You won’t be needing a hospital,” he said with a smirk. “Miss Elena has something else planned for you.”
The car stopped abruptly. I flung the door open, only to be overwhelmed by a sharp perfume.
It was Elena.
Gone was her polite facade. She yanked my collar, dragging me out of the car and onto the pavement.
She kicked my face hard, laughing like a madwoman.
“Oh, Elena. You’re filth now–inside and out. Didn’t you and your precious pastor mother always look down on me? Well, now even the street beggars look down on you. How does that feel?”
“I don’t know what spell you cast, but the two Turner brothers were obsessed with you. But loo -one trick from me and they both dumped you like garbage!”
She sneered, stepping harder.
“Especially Caleb. Do you really think being pregnant will tie him to you? Do you think you’ll become his beloved wife again with a second ceremony?”
She leaned closer.
“Your wedding dress? Your ring? They’re mine now–secondhand. But I suppose it doesn’t matter. You’re used goods too. Or should I say, nearly third–hand?”
She tilted her head, smirking.
‘By the way, I had Caleb keep the guy who slept with you. Maybe tomorrow I’ll join your wedding and let him continue the show–in front of Jesus.”
My mind spun, rage surging in my chest.
She had stolen from my family, and my mother had forgiven her. Not only that–she ner for ten years, treating her like a foster daughter.
Strict as she may have been, we gave her everything. And was this her repayment?
supportec
She wanted me to see it all–just to crush any sympathy Caleb might still have for me now that
was pregnant.
Enraged, I roared and lunged at her.
But before I could reach her, the driver kicked me down. I crashed to the ground, scraping my arm on broken concrete.
Elena shrieked and stumbled back–untouched, unhurt.
Just then, Caleb came running.
But instead of looking at me, he darted straight to her.
He stepped on my hand without even noticing and wrapped his arms around Elena, his voice :rembling.
‘Elena, are you alright? Are you hurt?”
His face–etched with worry.
His arms–protecting her, not me.
His eyes–never once looking back.
