Chapter three

Kelly's POV. 

I stared at myself in the mirror, barely recognizing the woman looking back at me. The wedding dress hugged my body perfectly, its long train spreading across the floor behind me. My hair was styled neatly, my makeup flawless, and the diamond earrings Thomas had once chosen for me glittered against my ears. I looked like a bride ready to marry the man she loved. No one looking at me would guess that I had spent the entire night preparing for his downfall.

Natalia stood behind me, adjusting the veil with a bright smile. “Kelly, you look absolutely beautiful. Congratulations, girl. I still can't believe you are finally getting married.”

I smiled at her reflection.

“Thank you, Natalia.”

She wrapped her arms around me from behind.

“You deserve this happiness.”

The words almost made me laugh.

Happiness?

This woman had helped destroy mine.

For years, I had treated Natalia like a sister. I had used my salary from Hawthorne Global Group, where I worked as a branch manager, to support her education. Whenever she needed help with school fees, I paid. When she told me she wanted to become a model, I supported that dream too. I connected her with people, encouraged her, and watched proudly when she finally made her debut.

What did I get in return? She slept with my fiancé.

Worse, she and Thomas had been together for three years while I spent two years believing I had found the man I would grow old with. They had turned me into their cash cow while smiling in my face.

And even last night, while I was supposed to be enjoying my final night as a single woman, Natalia had slipped away to meet Thomas at the hotel.

I saw them, yet I said nothing.

Because today was no longer about a wedding; it was about revenge.

The doors of the hall opened, and soft music filled the room. Natalia walked ahead of me, smiling as though she had just been crowned queen. She turned around once and gave me an excited wave.

I smiled back.

She had no idea what was waiting for her.

I slowly walked down the aisle, my fingers wrapped around the bouquet. Thomas stood at the end, dressed in an expensive suit, his lips curved into the smile I had once loved.

I looked directly at him.

Enjoy it.

That smile would not survive the next few minutes.

The wedding was supposed to be private. No family members were present because I was an orphan, while Thomas had claimed his parents lived too far away to attend. Natalia had suggested that we rent a few people to fill the empty seats, and several unfamiliar faces now sat quietly around the hall.

I paid every single f*e. Perhaps that was part of their master plan too.

I reached the altar and stood beside Thomas.

He leaned closer. “You look beautiful.”

I gave him a small smile. “Thank you.”

The priest began the ceremony, his voice calm as he went through the familiar words. I barely heard him. My eyes remained on Thomas, watching the man who had once convinced me that he loved me.

Then came the question.

“Kelly, are you willing to take Thomas as your lawful husband?”

I opened my mouth.

Before I could answer, the lights suddenly dimmed.

A murmur spread through the hall.

Thomas frowned. “What is happening?”

The projector behind us flickered to life. Then the screen changed, and the room fell silent.

The recording began.

Thomas and Natalia appeared on the screen, and the truth they had tried so hard to hide was suddenly displayed for everyone to see.

People gasped as they watched Natalia riding Thomas,  how he sucked her, and how they mocked me.

Fortunately,  my camera was clear enough to capture their naked body.

Another person raised a hand to cover their mouth.

Natalia's face was drained of color. 

Thomas turned toward me. “Kelly.”

I calmly took the microphone from the priest. “Everyone, please take out your phones.”

Thomas stared at me. “What are you doing?”

“Record everything. Post it online.”

The room erupted into whispers.

I turned toward Natalia.

She stepped backward. “Kelly, wait.”

I walked toward her. 

Smack!

The first slap echoed across the hall.

Natalia stumbled.

The second slap sent her turning sideways, and the third made her lose her balance completely.

Thomas rushed forward and caught her. “Don't you dare hurt Natalia!”

I stared at him, tears burning behind my eyes. “Why?”

My voice shook. “Why did you betray me?”

I tried to act strong, but I couldn't believe I deserved what they did to me.

Thomas said nothing.

I looked at Natalia. “I paid your school fees. I supported your dreams. I helped you become a model. I stood beside you when nobody else did. What did I ever do to you?”

Natalia slowly straightened in Thomas's arms.

Then she laughed. “You were too perfect.”

I stared at her.

“You had everything, Kelly. Money, a good job, brain, connections. You always acted like you were the one who could save everyone.”

Her smile widened. “You made it so easy.”

Tears finally slipped down my cheeks. “So you decided to destroy me?”

“No,” she said coldly. “We decided to use you.”

Thomas tightened his grip around her.

I wiped my cheeks. Then the main doors suddenly opened.

Several men in black suits rushed inside. They moved quickly and silently, forming two straight lines along the aisle.

Everyone froze.

My heart skipped, then a man stepped between them.

Tall. Handsome. Dressed in a perfectly tailored black suit.

My lips slowly curved into a smile. It's Adrian.

He walked toward me without rushing, his eyes fixed on mine.

Thomas's expression changed the moment he saw him.

The confidence disappeared from his face.

I noticed it. For the first time, Thomas looked afraid. I think I made the better option after all.

Adrian stopped in front of me. He lifted his hand and gently wiped the tears from my cheek.

“You're crying.”

I smiled through the tears. “No, I'm not.”

His eyes moved briefly toward Thomas before returning to me.

I tightened my grip on the microphone and faced the priest.  “Father, please continue.”

The priest looked between us, clearly confused, but eventually nodded. He returned to the ceremony.

Adrian took my hand; his palm was warm, his grip steady.

The priest repeated the question. “Kelly, are you willing to take Adrian as your lawful husband?”

I looked at the man standing beside me.

I did not hesitate. “Yes, I will.”

The priest turned to Adrian. “Adrian, are you willing to take Kelly as your lawful wife?”

His eyes remained on mine. “Yes, I will.”

A murmur swept through the hall.

I smiled, leaned forward, and kissed him.

For a second, Adrian remained still. Then his arm wrapped firmly around my waist, pulling me closer as he returned the kiss.

The hall erupted with shocked whispers.

I could feel Thomas's gaze on me, but I didn't care. He must have the taste of his own medicine.