Chapter 1

HEARTBREAK

Cecily

Bruno is late as always.

Late to dates. Late to important convos. 

Never be late for sex.

For the latter, I know better to wait.

 But today is to be different. I suppose habits don’t die simply because I'm wearing white.

My legs tremble with every step down the aisle, closing the distance between us. Chloe, my stepsister, walks behind me, holding the hem of my gigantic gown like she's done it a thousand times before. 

"Cecily, I'll be the perfect chief bridesmaid, just let me, please," she said, her eyes lit, leaving me little room to refuse.

Like every other stepsister story, we aren't the closest. Antagonist is actually a generous description. She's made my life a living nightmare since grade five, when they moved in. She and Aunt Elena — my father’s mistress, after Mum died. I survived. Got used to it.  Eventually, the chaos just became...normal.

But lately, something feels off. Chloe's change during the wedding preparations.

It's been abrupt, like a switch flipped overnight. She went from being a pain in my ass to... a sweetheart. 

Two days ago, she had offered to pay for my wedding jewellery. One of the best collections, she insisted. A gift, I shouldn’t object to. She escorted me to my dress fitting, my hairstyling appointment, and everywhere in between.

Maybe I was wrong about her.

Maybe this is the moment Chloe finally accepts me after all these years.

It isn't impossible. Right?

     I lift my gaze and catch  Bruno's eyes. He winks,  as a smile plays at the corners of his perfect pink lips, my favourite part of him. My heart swells. I'm finally marrying the love of my life-every girl's dream. Maybe not every girl, but definitely mine.

Still, questions race through my mind.

First, why was Bruno six hours late to our wedding?

God. If he hadn't shown up, I don't know what I would have done. Father would have sent me away for disgracing him. He never jokes about his reputation. And step Mum Elena, she would've been elated to watch me burn with a smile on her face.

But Bruno is here. The wedding will proceed. And afterward, I'll leave my father's house for good, finally saying goodbye to years of feeling worthless in my own home.

  "Do you, Cecily Baxter, take Bruno Sanchez to be your lawfully wedded husband?" The priest's deep voice snaps me from my thoughts. "To love and to cherish, in sickness and in health, till death do you part?"

"I do, from the bottom of my heart," I say, shyly staring into Bruno's dreamy blue eyes. I slide the wedding band onto his finger, letting my touch linger.

 The priest turns. "Do you, Bruno Sanchez, take Cecily Baxter as your lawfully wedded wife, to love and to cherish...?"

Silence.

"Your answer, please...," the priest whispers when Bruno's silence becomes awkwardly disturbing.

Still nothing.

A chill creeps up my spine. I slowly raise my eyes to his.

Why was he quiet?

"Bruno, please say something," I whisper.

"Mr. Bruno Sanchez, the congregation is waiting." The priest's firm tone does the trick.

His eyes meet mine. For a split second, I see a flicker of regret, maybe. Then it's gone.

"I..I can't," his voice cracks. "I can't marry Cecily. My heart belongs to someone else."

Someone else?

The words don't make sense. I replay them once. Twice. My brain refuses to process.

This...it can't be. Bruno loves me. Only me. I'm sure of that. There's no one else, no one at all, in the past seven years. He assured me of his love earlier today, promised me forever, and received Mum's blessings. 

This has to be a prank.

"What Nonsense!" A middle-aged lady from the crowd breaks the silence ."How despicable."

"He wasn't your man, yet you planned a whole wedding?  Another voice shouts. " Disgrace!" 

"Six hours we waited! Six hours for a fake wedding?!"

The words crash over me. Only then does it sink in.

Not a movie or a nightmare I'll wake from. Real.

I dare not look at my father. I should be praying right now, but...

"Bruno," I reach for his hands and grip them tightly. "This is a joke, right? Last minute nerve...huh!," I shake him desperately. "Tell them.  Please. We can take a moment, breathe, then say our vows again. Right? Please don't do this to me."

Tears spill down my cheeks.  I don't care about ruining my makeup. I don't care about anything except him taking back his words. 

"I meant every word I said, Ceicly. I don't love you." 

I turn to my sister behind me for comfort. She'll tell me it's only a prank. That will do.

"I'm in love with Chloe." His next words stop me cold.  "I've always been. My heart belongs to her."

What?

My knees buckle, and I subconsciously hit the sandy floor. 

I look up at Chloe, waiting for her to deny it. To tell me it's all a lie. Perhaps, Bruno's lost his mind. Instead, a slow smile spreads across her lips-one I know too well.

Bruno didn't like Chloe, let alone love. I can swear on that.

"She's bitchy and raw; she's not my type. You need to be careful, my love. I think she really hates you," he'll always say, even when I never ask.

 Was all that an act? 

I  look at my father, who grits his teeth angrily, and Aunt Elena.  She has that same mischievous smile as Chloe. Only then did it all make sense. It's a conspiracy. They both knew all along. But Bruno, how could he agree to this? 

"You despicable creature, you plan to steal your sister's man?" I knew that voice, Jade_stepmom Elena's bestie, the one with a mole face. "A fake marriage never lasts. How stupid of you!"

I barely hear her. My eyes are fixed on Bruno as he takes Chloe's hand. Together, they walk away.

Nothing makes sense anymore. How could I have been so foolish as not to see a sign? I knew Chloe; she could do anything to get what's mine, but I never saw this coming. Father would...

"I sincerely apologise for the stupidity of this thing, I call a daughter. "Father's voice booms through the hall. He's standing at the altar now, in the priest's place, pointing at me like I'm a disgusting object.

"She's a complete disgrace, and I'm ashamed to call her my daughter. Please accept our sincere apologies."

The crowd laughs on cue, at me.

My vision blurs through the tears as I watch Father go on, preaching about my worthlessness, and they eat it all up.

Elena, I understand. She's always hated me. But father? Why does he hate me so much?

I can't take it anymore. I push myself up, gathering my gown at both sides, ignoring my shaky hand.

Outside, I double over, gasping, forcing back the remaining of my tears. 

Bruno wouldn't do this to me. Not my Bruno.

Could he have been threatened?

I need answers.

"Taxi..."