Chapter 4: The Perfect Lie

“Is that a bride?” a young girl whispers to her friend as they scuttle past.

“Bride of Chucky,” the other snickers. “She looks so cool. Nice dress.”

I exhale. The hotel lobby hums softly. But I barely hear it. I’ve been sitting here for what feels like hours now. My hands wrap around a glass of water, trembling.

“What do I do next?” I say to myself.

What sane human has a plan when their entire life is a dumpster fire?

My phone won’t stop ringing. Daniel, Barbara, my parents, Mason, even Natasha. They’ve been sending threats in the form of texts.

“Where the fuck are you?” That one’s from my mother.

“Are you insane? Think of the guests.” My dad.

My wonderful mother-in-law sent this: “How dare you abandon my son at the altar?”

And my older brother, Mason. “I knew you’d find a way to shame us all.” Says the basement-dwelling parasite who keeps landing us in huge debts.

I ignore them all. My head drops. I let the tears come. Then the table shakes. Someone plops into the seat opposite me. I know those shoes. I hate knowing them.

“Jade? Enough. Let’s go back home.”

Daniel.

I look up. Barbara is standing beside the table, arms folded, eyes sharp.

“How did you find me?” I ask calmly despite the tears in my eyes.

“Eddy called us,” Barbara chimes. “He works here, remember?”

“Of course he does.”

Our honeymoon paradise. Barbara recommended this hotel. Said they had excellent service. I was a fool then. I couldn't think of anywhere else to go except for this place.

Daniel’s fingers curl around my wrist like iron bands. “Let’s go.”

I yank my hand back. “Step off, Houdini. Or else I’ll scream.”

My voice comes out louder than I intended. He winces. He has always hated my sarcastic side and whenever I rebelled. I don’t even remember any part of me he loved.

People start to look in our direction. Daniel seethes as if he’s a bomb seconds away from detonating. Barbara's glare can melt ice. But I sit confidently, refusing to back down.

“I’m not going back.”

Daniel leans in, his voice soft. “I know weddings can be intense. But we can work this out. You trust me, right?”

That sounds believable. In the past, I’d have fallen ten times faster, dived headfirst into his pool of lies. But I know the truth now. And the only thing I want to do is puke.

“I know about you and Barbara,” I say.

Daniel doesn’t react. “What about me and Barbara?”

“You’re in love with her.”

Barbara picks this time to let out a short laugh and a scoff. “I say this as your best friend: You’re delusional. There’s obviously something wrong with you today.”

“Barbara is right,” Daniel is in agreement with her at the drop of a hat. “She and I are just friends. Nothing more”

How did I not notice the way he used to agree with her in every matter? God. I must have been a really big fool.

“Did you bump your head into a wall?” Daniel’s voice echoes in my mind. “You can’t keep hiding. Jade, this wedding is happening whether you like it or not.”

I meet his gaze. “Over my dead body.”

He laughs dryly. “You sound possessed.”

“That’s impossible,” says Barbara.

Daniel turns back to me. “We’ve been together for six years. Six good fucking years. I’m the man of your dreams, baby. You’ve been in love with me since the first day we met in college–”

“That phase is over,” I cut him short. The look of surprise on his face is evident. “The earlier you get that into your thick skull, the better for you.”

“Jade,” Barbara speaks. Her voice is soft as if she’s so innocent and pure. “Stop fooling around. Let’s get back to the wedding. We’ll tell everyone it was a prank.”

I roll my eyes heavenward. There’s no convincing them otherwise. I must think of some other way to get them to leave. Just then, I notice a pair of grey eyes locked on me.

The world slows. The man across the room is ruin in human form. He's tall. Broad-shouldered. Devastatingly effortless. He looks unreal. And he’s standing there like the embodiment of chaos. Dark hair. Sharp jaw. Eyes the color of storm clouds that somehow make me feel safe. I’ve never seen someone so calm and collected like this before. He looks like he belongs in a magazine.

“We’re going back to the church tonight. The priest is going to bless our union with or without the guests…” Daniel’s voice trails off.

And his gaze is still fixated on me like I’m the only reason he’s here. My chest tightens. And my heart stumbles. Then he starts toward us, moving like the world bends to his will. My body betrays me before I realize it.

“Where the hell are you going?” Daniel snarls.

I brush past Barbara, cross the polished floor in a few long strides, my arms opening instinctively.

“Babe!”

He smiles. It’s a slow, knowing smile. Then he steps forward and wraps me in his arms, strong but gentle, holding me as if the world outside these walls doesn’t exist.

“Please… just play along. Just—play along,” I murmur.

“Shh,” he whispers into my hair. “I’ve got you.”

He’s a stranger. His words should scare me. They do. And yet my body leans into him anyway. I pull back, just enough to look at his face. He’s too beautiful. Too controlled. Like something designed to lure you in before it ruins you.

His smile widens. He cups my face in his hands, thumbs brushing my cheeks. And my breath catches. He’s perfect. Too perfect. Almost unreal. I can’t believe this is happening, that he’s real.

I freeze. Behind me, true chaos erupts.

“Jade! What the—” Daniel’s voice slices the air. Barbara’s shrill gasp follows.

I step back, smirking. “Meet—”

Oh shit! Name. What’s his name? I should make one up quickly.

“Zayn,” he says, his gaze piercing mine. “We are… together.”

Daniel’s face twists. “Together? That’s fucking Impossible! You—”

“This is clearly some kind of mix-up,” Barbara says, her tone smooth and carefree.

“Who the fuck is this man?” Daniel snaps.

Barbara touches his chest. And that calms him. Then she turns to Zayn. She falters for half a second, visibly caught off guard by his looks. She composes herself, clearing her throat. “Zayn or whatever your name is—listen. My best friend was in the middle of getting married. She had a moment of nerves, that’s all. It’s over now. We’re heading back to the church.”

“I’m not getting married to Daniel. And that’s final.” I look at the perfect stranger beside me. His right hand is on the small of my back, a silent anchor. My grip tightens around his arm. “Zayn and I are getting married.”

Silence. Then Daniel burst out laughing. Barbara joins in. Zayn gives me a look. What a mess this is.

“Proof,” Daniel spits, voice sharp. “If you’re really seeing him, kiss him. Now. Here. In front of everyone.”

My stomach flips. What? Daniel, you conniving prick. He knows me too well. That I’d never kiss just anyone. Not like this. My hand shakes. I hesitate. I should just tell them the truth. Put an end to this madness.

Then Zayn tilts his head. Reads me like a book. His eyes soften. I swear I hear his voice in my head say, “Don’t think. Just trust me.”

Before I can react, he leans in. His hand—strong but gentle–curls at the back of my head, pulling me into him. His lips crash against mine. Warm, demanding, yet sweet. My hands clutch his shoulders and my body melts into the heat of him.

The lobby disappears. Daniel’s disbelief and shouting goes with it. Barbara’s horror is a murmur under the pounding of my heart. When Zayn pulls back, just enough for air, I’m trembling.

“See?” he whispers, brushing a strand of hair from my face. “We’re together.”

Daniel’s jaw drops. “You… you lying cheat. You were cheating on me before our wedding.”

I don’t look at him. I’m still trying to stop my heart from jumping out of my throat. “Cheating?” I shake my head. “No. I met Zayn today. I decided to move on with him.”

Zayn smiles. It’s the most beautiful smile I’ve ever seen. It feels like I’m dreaming. “We have plans to make,” he says brightly. “Our future doesn’t need witnesses for now. You’re invited to our wedding, though.”

He flicks the hotel keycard at Daniel’s face. “Room 712. Reserved for me and my girl tonight. If you want any more proof, you’re welcome to watch.”

Daniel goes pale. Barbara’s lips tremble. Their control evaporates. Zayn slips his hand into mine, guiding me toward the elevator.

How… how is this happening?

As if reading my thoughts, he says, “You needed me. And I like a challenge. Plus… you’re irresistible.”

I laugh, soft, breathless. “Irresistible? Really?”

“Absolutely,” he murmurs. “And don’t worry—I’ll play the part as long as it takes. No one touches my girl.”

“Your girl? You don’t even know me.”

The elevator door shuts. I’m all alone with a stranger. A man whom I just kissed and claimed to be my fiancé.

“That could’ve gone worse,” he says.

He turns toward me, a smirk on his face. My heart is racing. For a solid second, he says nothing—just stares. I swallow the questions lodged in my throat. He dominates the air, making the space feel suffocating.

Are you a killer? What are you?

I step away from him. He closes the distance. My back presses against the elevator wall. He cages me in place, standing in front of me like a Greek God. I’m consumed by fear.

“Get. Away. From. Me.”

He leans in. Buries his head in my neck. I want to move, but I freeze instead. I shiver the second he breathes me in. Then he shifts back, face inches from mine. My voice is locked in my throat.

“Jade,” he smirks. “You don’t remember me?”