Chapter 12

▫️Stella's POV...

Today is the day—the day that will change everything. My wedding day. The day that will be the happiest moment of my life. And yet, my heart is racing in my chest, and my stomach is tied in knots. Am I making the right choice? Will this be a day to remember? I want it to be blessed. I hope it is.

I’m standing in front of the mirror in my wedding gown. It fits perfectly, hugging my body in all the right places. I'm nervous. Are all brides like this on their wedding day?

My mom and Jess are here, helping me get ready. My mom smiles at me, reassuring me, "Stella, everything is going to be fine. Don’t be nervous my baby. You look beautiful."

I smiled and nodded but inside, I feel the nerves growing. Jess, who’s been by my side through thick and thin, gets a phone call. She steps outside to take it, looking a little uneasy, but I didn’t ask.  My mom goes out to greet the guests, leaving me alone for a moment.

I start to think about Gabriel—my soon-to-be husband. The man who promised me to give me all happiness. I can’t wait to see him. I want to hold him, tell him how much I love him. There’s only an hour left before we take our vows, but I need to see him. I walk to his room, but when I knock, no one answers. I ask his friend if he’s seen him, but he doesn’t know either. Maybe he’s with the guests, I think.

As I turn to go back to my room, I try calling Jess. Her phone rings in the room next door. I know it’s hers by the ringtone—it says Stella calling. But then, something strange happens. She cuts the call. Why? I’m confused. I walk over and open the door, wanting to ask is everything okay?

But NOOOO... nothing is okay.

The sight that greets me makes my heart stop. I freeze in place. My blood runs cold. I can’t think. I can’t breathe. There they are—the love of my life and my best friend—kissing each other.  The room feels like it’s closing in on me.

They’re too lost in their own world to notice me at first. I stand there, frozen, before the anger takes over. I scream, “What the fuck are you both doing?! How can you justify this?!”

Finally, they pull away, their faces pale with shock. Jess hastily tries to fix her clothes, and Gabriel doesn’t even tried to explain himself.

Jess mutters, "It was an accident, Stella."

How can that be an accident?

I’m shaking with anger now. “An Accident? You call this an accident?! You’re kissing my fiancé on our wedding day and it’s an accident?”

Gabriel remains silent. No explanation.

I storm out of the room, my mind a whirlwind of emotions. My heart is shattering. I can’t marry someone like this. I can’t marry a man who would betray me like that. I need to cancel this wedding.

I go back to my room to compose myself before facing the guests. After a moment my door suddenly swings open, and it’s my mom. Mom. I need her the most at this time. The man I loved with my all heart betrayed me without regret.

I try to speak, but before I can even say a word, she slaps me across the face. The sting burns on my cheek, but what hurts more is her expression.

“What the hell, Mom?” I gasp, holding my cheek. “Why are you slapping me?”

She glares at me, her voice sharp. "Because you cheated on Gabriel! You’re such a slut, Stella. You ruined everything. You betrayed him."

I can’t believe what I’m hearing. “What?! I didn’t cheat! He cheated on me!”

My mom shakes her head, her eyes cold. "You’re a liar, Stella. Don’t try to lie your way out of this."

I feel my chest tighten. I can’t breathe. I’m suffocating from this pain. “No, Mom! I’m not lying! He is the one who cheated! Not me!”

Just then, Gabriel speaks up from the doorway, his voice hollow, “Even after all this, I’m still willing to give you another chance, Stella. For the sake of my love , for the sake of our parents' respect.”

My mom nods, like she agrees with him. “He’s such a nice man, Stella. And you cheated on him. You don’t deserve him.”

I can’t hold it in anymore. I scream, “This manwhore is a liar! He cheated on me! Why can’t you trust your own daughter for once, Mom? Why can’t you believe me?”

She slaps me again, harder this time. "At least admit your mistake and stop making a scene. Fix your makeup and get down there. You’re ruining everything."

My world is crumbling. Everything I thought was true is shattered. The man I thought I loved, the woman I thought was my best friend—they’ve both betrayed me. And my mom? She’s choosing him over me. She’s standing by his side.

I turn away from her, walking out of the room. I’m on the verge of tears, but I can’t cry anymore. The hurt is too deep. I march down the hall, heading to the stage where the fucking wedding was supposed to happen but not anymore.

When I step onto the stage, the guests all turn to look at me, at my awful state. My mom, Jess, and Gabriel follow me, all eyes on me. WOW.  I take a deep breath and speak loud enough for everyone to hear.

“Apologies for wasting your time,” I begin, my voice shaking with rage, "but this wedding is cancelled. My fiancé is a fucking cheater.  I am not going to marry a manwhore like him.”

Then I turn to Jess, my heart breaking even more. “You... you showed your true character today.” I slap her across the face, hard.

Jess stumbles back, but I don’t care. I move toward Gabriel, and without hesitation, I slap him too.

The sound echoes through the hall, and I feel a small sense of relief, like I’m finally standing up for myself.

I storm out of the hall, the tears streaming down my face. I don’t want to stay here anymore.

I go straight to Jess’s apartment, my heart aching with every step. I grab my things, trying to pack quickly. I don’t want to waste time changing into something else. I just need to leave and never want to see anyone of them.

But when I step out of the door, I see Jess and my mom waiting for me. My heart pounds, and I feel the weight of what’s coming. Jess shuts the door behind me, blocking me in.

"Why did you cheat with Gabriel, Stella?" she says, her voice cold.

I shake my head, my eyes filled with anger and confusion. “I didn’t cheat! You did. It was you, Jess, who betrayed me.”

My mom steps forward, her eyes filled with tears. “If you didn’t want to marry him, you should’ve said no. But you arranged this whole wedding and ruined everything. You’ve ruined our image. From today on, don’t ever show your face to us again.”

I fall to my knees, crying. “I didn’t do anything wrong. I didn’t cheat. I’ve been wronged.”

My mom turns and walks out of the apartment, leaving me on the floor, broken.

Jess grabs my hair, pulling me up. I’m too weak to fight back now.

“Get up, you weak little bitch,” she sneers, and Gabriel walks in behind her. He looks at me, his eyes filled with hatred.

“You know, I thought you’d just stay quiet for everything, for the sake of your mom,” Gabriel says, stepping closer. “But no, you stepped on her instead. That's why she doesn't loves you. You can't sacrifice a little for her. You are so selfish Stella.”

I glare at him. “You’re a fucking bastard, Gabriel. You’re a woman-whore. You disgust me. And you are telling me to sacrifice myself for the fucking sake.”

He laughs.