Abandoned bride

ISABELLA P.O.V

I didn't expect my world to crumble in one single night.

One moment I was dreaming of my wedding night and being Xavier's bride, the next I’m holding a medical report… that will completely ruin me.

“Congratulations Miss Isabella, you're two weeks pregnant,” the doctor said, smiling and stretching his hand forward for a handshake as he glanced from me to Xavier…

If only he knew what was going on. My heartbeat slammed against my ribcage. I glanced up at Xavier as the report paper shook in my grip, tears slipping off.

The doctor seemed to notice the tension and slowly withdrew his hand.

I looked up at Xavier, my mouth quivering, biting the inside of my lower lip to suppress the sob forming in my throat.

But I finally let the scream out the moment I saw the look of uncertainty on Xavier’s face…

Two weeks ago, I was just a girl who wanted her fairytale with her prince charming. Now, I'm pregnant for an unknown. A victim of rape.

My body shook violently as more tears fell from my eyes, my heart palpitating as I clutched my chest, weighed down by the pain of my circumstances.

Xavier dropped to my level and pulled me tightly into his chest.

“I’m not leaving, Isa. We’re in this together. I promise to be here for you,” he whispered, his arms cocooning me in warmth as he patted my back gently.

“It’s all my fault. All my fault. I should have picked your call that night.”

I heard him blaming himself over and over while trying to console me.

I quivered beneath him, still trembling, snot dripping from my nose, and images of that dreadful night flashing through my mind…

***************************

“Sanctuary” by Eliah Vane

Oh my love, oh my life

You pull me into something wild

Your hands write stories on my skin,

And I’m drunk on every sin

Heaven sighs when we collide,

They know they lost me to your fire

Sanctuary, my sweet decay…

Take my breath and float away...

The grand room glittered beneath the chandelier’s glow. The air was perfumed with roses and designer fragrance…

Tears slipped from my eyes as I walked down the aisle while the haunting voice of Eliah Vane played overhead. My veil covered my face, but the flashing lights of the reporters still pierced through.

My gown swept the floor, trailing behind like silk rain. The scent of sunflowers filled the air. There stood Xavier..my groom. His eyes fixed on me, intense and unreadable. My breath caught. My chest pounded with nerves.

It was finally happening. I was finally marrying Xavier Gustavo. A wide smile spread across my face as he reached for my hands and guided me to the altar.

“Isabella Santos,” the pastor began. “Do you take Xavier Gustavo to be your lawfully wedded husband? Do you promise to love and cherish him, in good times and in bad, in sickness and in health, for richer for poorer, for better or worse, and forsaking all others, keep yourself only unto him, for as long as you both shall live?”

My eyes scanned the crowd. Camille, my best friend, was beaming. My mother wore a proud look, her face heavy with makeup. Xavier’s family, however, glared with barely concealed distaste.

I returned my gaze to Xavier and smiled softly.

“I do,” I said firmly, voice strong.

The same question was posed to Xavier.

I watched him closely, my heartbeat loud in my ears. But his expression was unreadable.

“No,” he said quietly.

Cold sweat trickled down my spine.

I froze, staring into his unfamiliar eyes, feeling suddenly alone. Perhaps he hadn’t heard the pastor? I shook my head to snap myself out of the nightmare.

“I’m sorry, Isa. I can’t father another man’s child,” he said, retreating from me.

I stood there, numb. Blinking furiously. My skin felt electric, my breath hitching. A massive lump formed in my throat.

I let out a laugh…wild, uncontrollable, manic. I clutched his hand desperately.

“You’re joking, right? You promised to stay! You can’t leave me, Xavy..Xavy…”

“It’s not funny anymore, Xavy!! People are watching!” I cried, gripping his hand tighter.

“I’m sorry, Isa.”

He pulled his hands from mine and turned his back… walking away.

The crowd gasped. Murmurs spread like wildfire.

I stood motionless as I yanked the veil off my face. Reporters surrounded me, lights flashing rapidly, hungry for headlines.

I caught sight of Camille pushing through the chaos toward me. Then I saw Ma Hilda, Xavier’s mother… with a victorious smirk.

He left me. He really left me.

And the crushing weight of what had just occurred hit like a train. Nausea swelled in my chest.

I had dreamed too big. What made me think someone like me could become a Gustavo? But Xavier loved me. This unwanted bastard growing inside me had ruined everything.

“Xavier!” I screamed, tearing out of the hall in my wedding dress, the hem dragging behind like a dying ghost.

I ran into the street, barely noticing that his car had already disappeared. But I kept running..nowhere, anywhere..like a mad woman with nothing to lose. My feet hit a stone. I stumbled and fell, my knees scraping against the concrete.

Then I saw the bridge.

It was time.

“I can’t live without Xavier. The humiliation is too much,” I muttered, staggering to my feet.

I climbed the railing, the wind catching my gown, fluttering it like wings.

“Goodbye, world,” I whispered before letting go..falling, dress swirling, into the waters below.

I smiled as the cold wrapped around me, the weightlessness washing over my limbs. Peace. Finally. The kind that comes with surrender.

In my next life, I wish to be born rich. A wealthy heiress with no pain. No shame. Just love.

I smiled and closed my eyes to embrace fate.

But just before it took me, I felt cold hands pulling me upward. I opened my eyes briefly..

Dark brown eyes. An erect nose. Full brows. The most perfect face I’d ever seen.

Probably an angel.

I smiled again.

Then everything went black.