CHAPTER 3 – Wedding Over

A MONTH LATER

~ Lily ~

The week leading up to the wedding was supposed to be the busiest time, packed with final presentations, meetings, and a ton of last-minute details. I was doing my best to focus, making sure everything looked perfect on the outside. But today, my body had other plans, reminding me that I was more than just a picture-perfect bride-to-be.

I was in the middle of going over a bunch of floral arrangements when a sudden wave of nausea hit me. I pressed my hand against my stomach, trying to brush it off.

"I’ll just… step out for a moment," I said quietly, managing a weak smile for the people around me.

By the time I made it to the restroom, the nausea had become unbearable . I barely reached the sink before I was committed, my body shaking and feeling utterly drained. Minutes felt like hours as I got rid of everything I had eaten, my head spinning and my stomach churning. When it finally calmed down, I leaned against the counter, beads of sweat trickling down my forehead, trying to pull myself together.

A nagging thought crept into my mind. I hadn’t had my period all month. My heart raced. Could it be…? I shook my head. No way. It couldn’t be. Not now. Not with the wedding just a week away. I tried to push the thought aside, forcing myself to breathe and tidy up.

When I made my way back downstairs, I felt weak and lightheaded, but I tried to keep up a brave face, offering a weak smile and nodding along as everyone around me chatted away. I kept telling myself it was just nerves, maybe a bit too much stress, or something I had eaten.

But then, out of nowhere, another wave of nausea hit me. This time, I couldn’t just shake it off. I stammered out an excuse about needing a break and hurried back upstairs. Once I was alone in my room, I barely made it to the bathroom before I threw up again. My knees hit the cold tile as I leaned over the toilet, my head spinning.

After it was over, I leaned against the sink, my mind racing. I couldn’t ignore the nagging thought any longer. I had to know. I quickly washed my hands and stepped outside, trying to keep my cool as I headed to a nearby pharmacy. I slipped a small, pregnancy test kit into my bag, my hands shaking as I made my way back home.

That evening, in the quiet of my room, I took the test. At first, I couldn’t bring myself to look at it directly. My heart was pounding. When I finally dared to glance at the result, my stomach dropped. I was pregnant.

Panic washed over me. My thoughts spiraled into chaos. I imagined every possible scenario, every reaction, every disaster if anyone found out that I was pregnant just a week to my wedding. I grabbed my phone from the drawer and dialed Sophia’s number before I could stop myself.

“Lily? Is everything okay?” Sophia’s voice was warm and filled with concern.

“I… I need you,” I whispered, my voice shaking. “Can you come over? Please?”

“Of course. I’m on my way,” she replied without hesitation.

Minutes later, she was at my door. I rushed into her arms, sobbing uncontrollably, and she held me tight, whispering soothing words. Once I calmed down enough to speak, I poured everything out to her—the engagement party, the hotel room, Julian, and now the pregnancy. My voice trembled with shame, fear, and despair.

Sophia didn’t judge me at all. Instead, she listened, wrapped her arms around me, and gently reminded me to take deep breaths. She suggested I eat something light, and when I finally allowed myself to drift off to sleep, I woke up the next morning feeling weak but somehow more at peace.

She handed me a glass of water and asked softly, “How are you feeling?”

“Okay… just a little weak,” I admitted.

“And the baby?” she probed gently, reading my expression.

I stared at the glass of water for a moment, then placed my hand on my belly. The tiny life inside me made my heart race, filling me with a strange mix of fear and hope. “I… I think I’ll keep it,” I whispered, my fingers tracing the small curve of my stomach.

Sophia squeezed my hand reassuringly. “Then we’ll come up with a plan. You’re not alone, Lily. We’ll tackle this together.”

I nodded, swallowing hard as the reality of the situation hit me. The wedding with Adrian was just a week away. I couldn’t stay. If anyone found out the truth, it would ruin me—and possibly the baby. I needed to escape, find a safe place, and raise my child far away from the Stones’ influence.

Tears filled Sophia’s eyes as she pulled me into a tight embrace. “You’re making the right choice,” she whispered.

In the hours that followed, we worked in silence, plotting my escape. I booked a flight overseas, organized my finances, and transferred a hefty sum of eight million dollars from my family’s account to one in my name. We packed my essentials, clothes, and everything I’d need to start fresh. Sophia promised to wait for me outside my family’s estate that night, so we could slip away unnoticed.

When the moment finally came, we moved swiftly under the cover of darkness. Sophia drove, her presence a calming comfort beside me as we made our way to the airport. My heart raced, a whirlwind of fear and excitement swirling within me.

The next morning, just before we took off, I wrapped my arms around Sophia, holding her close. "Thank you," I whispered, feeling tears start to form again.

She smiled brightly at me, her eyes sparkling. "You’ll be okay. Just focus on your baby and the new life ahead."

I sent a quick message to my family and Adrian’s family, letting them know the wedding was off. I didn’t think I needed to explain further, there was no point. Then, I switched off my phone and tossed it aside, freeing myself from any chance of being tracked. A new phone and number were waiting for me at my destination.

As the plane began to take off, I placed a hand on my belly. A strange, comforting warmth wrapped around me. I felt fear, sure, but also a renewed sense of determination. I whispered to the little one inside me, promising a future filled with love, safety, and hope.

For the first time in what felt like forever, I allowed myself to dream of a life I could create. A life where I could be free, where I could raise my child without fear, where I could start fresh. And with that thought, I pressed my hand to my belly and let myself feel hopeful.