BETRAYAL: The Day I Died.

I died on my wedding day.I sat down in front of the mirror, trying to hold down my tears. My fingers trembled as I touched my face, my reflection blurry through the veil of water gathering in my eyes. I began to question my decision, why do I still want to get married to Daniel after all he did to me? After all the pain I had gone through the past few years.And last night, I saw him with Lucy, my sister, having sex on the balcony.My heart felt like it wanted to drop from my chest. My knees weakened, and I stood frozen behind the curtain, breath caught in my throat. How could he do that? Our wedding was the next morning and he was there, pounding into my sister like I didn't exist.Everything sucks.I approached them, each step slow, heavy with disbelief. Daniel turned and his eyes widened, mouth parting in shock as he saw me. He looked like he had been caught stealing. Meanwhile, Lucy didn't flinch.Her expression didn't change, calm, smug, unbothered-as if I was disturbing somethi

The first thing I felt was the ache in my chest. It wasn't sharp. It was dull and heavy, like someone had placed a rock on top of my ribs and left it there for days. My head pounded too, and my lips were dry. The air smelled faintly of antiseptic and something soft, lavender, maybe.I blinked my eyes open slowly.The room was too bright at first, with sunlight leaking through tall glass windows covered in sheer white curtains. The ceiling above me was high, painted ivory, with gold trimming. I wasn't in a hospital. But I definitely wasn't home, either.Where am I?I turned my head, every muscle in my neck protesting.Then it came rushing back.The wedding.Daniel.Lucy.The pool.The blood.The knife.I gasped softly and winced as the pain struck deeper in my ribs. I tried to sit up, but I couldn't. My arms gave out.I was alive.That's when I saw him.A man was seated in the armchair beside my bed. His elbows were on his knees, fingers steepled in front of his lips, eyes fixed on the

The night was quiet. We were on the balcony again, sitting side by side, not saying much. The wind brushed past slowly, just enough to make the trees rustle a little. The sky looked clearer than usual, stars scattered everywhere, shining so bright. Making me imagine if my life shines as bright as the star. Or maybe it would have been better if I were a star. There was a soft glow from the garden lights, and I pulled the blanket tighter around my legs.Benjamin sat beside me, holding a glass of wine. He hadn't spoken much after dinner. He was always calm, always in control. But tonight felt different. There was something in the air, and I could feel it.Then he finally spoke."You know..." he said quietly, eyes staring ahead, "the first time I saw you was in college."I turned to him. "Hmm."He nodded. "You were walking down the hallway. You had this soft smile on your face. I thought you were smiling at me... and my heart did something weird. It jumped. Like, really jumped. I had ne

I was running. My feet were heavy, and the sand beneath them kept slowing me down. My breath came in fast, with broken gasps. Behind me, I could hear her footsteps, fast and determined."Elizabeth!" Lucy's voice echoed behind me, sharp and chilling.I turned for a second, and there she was, she was dressed in black, her hair wild, a knife clutched tightly in her hand. Her eyes looked insane. Like I was prey. Like she wasn't going to stop until she got me."No! Please!" I screamed, running faster.The beach stretched endlessly. There was nowhere to hide. Nowhere to go. I tripped, and my knees hit the sand hard. I looked up just as she raised the knife and brought it down, her eyes burning with rage.I screamed and jolted awake.My chest was heaving, my whole body shaking. Sweat clung to my skin even though the air conditioning was on. My nightdress stuck to me, and I could feel the wetness of tears already forming.It was just a dream. But it felt so real.I looked around the room, and

Today felt different.I stood on the small platform in the middle of the bridal studio, the ivory gown hugging my waist like it had been stitched with my name in mind. The mirror in front of me reflected someone I barely recognized. I looked sharp, in control.The dress flowed effortlessly to the floor, a soft shimmer beneath the light, delicate lace trailing over my arms. The bridal designer circled me slowly, adjusting the sleeves and smoothing out the fabric."It fits like it was made for you," she said, her tone clipped but impressed. "Timeless. Sharp. A dress for a woman who doesn't beg, but commands."I nodded, barely speaking. I couldn't take my eyes off the mirror. Not because of the dress, but because I had seen myself like this before. In a wedding dress. But I look different, I feel different. I don't feel any burden in my chest. I don't feel scared like I’m making a wrong decision like I did before.Then the door opened behind me.I didn't have to turn to know who it was.