AISLE OF NO RETURN.

The photo loaded. 

Jessica stood frozen in the room, with her phone still clutched in her hand, staring at the photo of her mother’s empty hospital bed. Her lungs refused to expand. The air felt thick, heavy and poisoned.

“The bed is empty” “Where’s my mother?” “ What did they do to her?” “Did they move her?”

Her fingers trembled so violently but her phone didn’t slip. She typed.. “Where's my mother?”

The dots appeared and vanished again. Jessica felt uneasy.

“Your mother is safe for now.”

A knock exploded against the door . “Mrs.Lewis are you ready ? Do you need assistance?” We need to leave now “ 

She shoved the phone in her dress “I’m coming” she replied calmly. She stared back at her reflection for the last time, and she didn't recognise herself, she saw another version of herself that she never imagined for to see.

The door opened before she could fully process everything. 

“Mrs.Lewis the driver is here now”

Her feet refused to move. 

A hand pressed against her lower back, firm but guiding. The hallway outside buzzed with voices, laughter, champagne glasses clinking. Every sound scraped against her nerves.

With every step, her heart slammed harder in her chest. The closer she got to the wedding venue, the harder her heartbeat felt. The car stopped and the doors to the car opened. Jessica got out of the car and stood still. “There comes the bride” the paparazzi swarmed around her,cameras clicking , the flashes of the light blurring her sight.

The doors to the ballroom loomed ahead, massive and golden. Light spilled through the cracks. Music swelled.

Jessica forced her lips upward. It felt like her face might split.

The doors to the ballroom opened.Hundreds of eyes turned to look in her direction.

The room glittered with white golden lights,Crystal chandeliers and white  roses. Wealth poured from every corner. And at the end of the aisle stood John Lewis, tailored in a blank suit, hands clasped behind his back like a king waiting for tribute.

He didn’t smile. He studied her. 

Her phone vibrated against her thigh. She didn’t try to look.

She begun to walk up the aisle. Each step felt like her soul was detaching from her body. The guests blurred into a wall of faces. 

“That’s not summer” “Who’s she?” “Did they change brides?” “Is she at the right venue?” 

Her skin prickled. John’s gaze was still fixed on her. It never left. 

Halfway down the aisle, her phone buzzed.

Again.

And again.

And again.

Her breathe hitched. John’s eyes scanned her from head to toe, as if he knew what was going on underneath her gown.

When she reached him, his hand shot out, gripping her wrist. The contact was warm, controlled, and unbreakable . From the outside it looked romantic.

Up close, it was a restraint.

“Don’t,” he murmured without moving his lips.

Jessica smiled for the crowd. The officiant began speaking, his voice floating in and out like distant thunder. Words about union, devotion, eternity.

All Lies.

Her phone vibrated nonstop now like a frantic rhythm.

John’s grip tightened.

“Eyes on me,” he whispered.

She obeyed. Because now her fear is obedience dressed as choice.

His expression didn’t change, but something dark flickered behind his eyes.

“You’re shaking,” he noted softly.

“You kidnapped my mother,” she breathed.

“I simply relocated her.”

“You are insane.”

“And you’re about to be my wife. Focus.”

The officiant cleared his throat. “Do you, John Lewis—”

 Jessica’s Phone rang. Not a vibration. A full ring.

“Oh shit I—- I forgot to leave my phone.” The sound sliced through the ballroom. Gasps rippled through the crowd. “John’s smile froze.” Slowly and deliberately he released her wrist. 

“ Answer the phone  and put it on speaker”. 

Jessica pulled out her phone with trembling hands. It was an unknown number.

She answered. 

Silence.

“Jessica” 

“My child”

Her heart stopped.

“Mom.”

Her voice was weak. Confused. But Alive.

“Mom?” Jessica’s knees nearly buckled. “Where are you?”

“I don’t know,” her mother whispered. “They moved me. There are men here. They won’t tell me anything. Baby, what’s happening?” “Are you alright?” “Are you safe?”

The entire ballroom had gone silent. Jessica’s blood turned to ice. John leaned closer, with his lips brushing her ear.

“Careful.”

Her mother’s breathing crackled through the speaker. “Jessica, I’m scared.”

Tears burned her eyes. “I’m here,” Jessica said quickly. “You’re safe. I promise.”

John’s hand slid to her waist. A reminder. A leash.

The officiant stood frozen, unsure whether to continue or flee.

“Baby,” her mother whispered, voice trembling, “they said if you don’t finish the wedding…” The static air  swallowed everything that followed.

The line cut.

Jessica stared at the screen. Her phone screen lit “Call ended”.  They had hung up on her.

The ballroom erupted into murmurs.

John turned to the crowd with a smooth laugh. “Family nerves,” he announced. “Shall we continue?” Polite chuckles followed. The tension dissolved like it had never existed.

Except inside Jessica. Inside, she was screaming.

The officiant swallowed and resumed. “Do you, Jessica Cooke—”

She hesitated. John’s fingers pressed into her waist.

A reminder.

A warning.

She looked at him.

His expression was gentle and lovely but his eyes promised destruction.

“I…” Her voice cracked. The guests leaned forward. Her phone buzzed again. A message preview flashed across the screen.”last chance” the message read. 

Attached: a video. Her thumb moved before she could think. She opened it. The footage was dark, and shaky. 

Her mother was tied to a chair. A man stepped into frame and pressed a gun to her temple. Jessica stopped breathing. The officiant repeated, louder, “Do you take John Lewis to be your lawfully wedded husband?”

The gun clicked.

Even through the screen, she heard it. John’s smile widened.

Jessica’s lips parted. “I—“

A gunshot exploded from her phone. Her mother screamed, and the video cut to black. Jessica dropped the phone. The sound echoed through the ballroom like thunder. Every guest stood up.

Chaos had erupted.