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Bella's POV

I may be the bride at this wedding, but I’m definitely not the center of attention.

Stella stood out, wearing a stunning white gown. White.

Everyone knew the first rule of attending a wedding was to not wear white but Stella didn't care.

I stared at her as she walked into the wedding, her head glancing left and right, I knew who she was looking for, my soon-to-be husband, and her brother who treated her like she was the whole world, Leo.

Sensing my gaze on her, she started to walk our way.

I closed my eyes tight, my fist in a ball beside me.

It had been three years since Leo and I got together, and since I started living with him in his family's mansion.

No one had taken me in after losing my parents in that wretched accident sixteen years ago but Leo was the first to keep me by his side.

He was my Mr. Perfect, if I could forget Stella, his adopted sister, existed .

She was like a barnacle that clung stubbornly to him, popping up during our every crucial moment.

Leo kept comforting me, saying Stella was my family too, while I was nearly suffocated by her unspoken feelings. I knew more than anyone that she didn’t see him as just a “brother” but he was too naive to see it.

I had no idea why he cared this deeply for his adoptive sister.

I turned to look at him, he was waving his hand to let Stella know where we were.

I pursed my lips into a thin line as I watched my six-feet-three husband, his cupid lips formed into a smile, his other hand raking through his perfectly slicked hair.

There was nothing wrong with his affection for his sister, he loved her so much, he never saw past her surface.

Just hold on for one more day Bella. I assured myself. Now that we were getting married, Leo promised me we would move to our new place, away from his family, away from Stella.

I placed my hand on my belly, tonight was going to be special, I was going to let him know about our baby, it was going to be the start of a new life.

My smile was short-lived as Stella caught up with us.

She had that snug smile glued to her freckle stained face as she walked towards me.

I held my breath, knowing exactly what was coming next.

"Leo!" She beamed at him, "my God, you look like a freaking model," she shoved me aside, stepping next to him, like my presence was non existent.

I took a step back to avoid falling over, my hands balled into fists as I held onto the sides of my gown, trying to stay calm.

Everything was going perfectly until she showed up, this beautiful private forest wedding we'd set up, and the peace of having him by my side.

She clung to Leo’s arm, laughing too loudly, "we have to take pictures together!" She clapped her hands, not wiping the smile off her face as she pulled him away to pose for photographers.

The cameras flashed, and everyone stared at the two like they were the most perfect things to ever walk the earth.

I closed my eyes tight, trying to control my breathing, my knuckles were completely pale by now from how tight my grip on my dress was.

I didn’t want to cause a scene. Not today. So, I took a deep breath and walked towards them, making sure the jewelry I wore sparkled perfectly in the light. Jewelry was my life, and my craft after all. I wouldn’t let anyone dull me, not even Stella. Especially not Stella.

But then, the whispers started as I began to walk down.

“She should really change. It’s rude to the bride,” one woman muttered, her lip curling as she leaned toward her friend.

“Doesn’t she know it’s not her day?”

Around them, heads turned, whispers spreading like wildfire. A few exchanged glances, their expressions filled with judgement.

I stopped in my tracks as their words filled my ears. They thought Stella was the bride. Most of these people had been invited by Leo's family, since I had no one on my side, so they didn't know who the bride was.

I didn't need to look at her to know she was wearing a proud smile on her face.

That must have finally caught Leo's attention because he peeled his gaze from the cameras, glancing first at the source of the rumors before turning to look at me with furrowed eyebrows.

I forced a smile, even as the sting settled deep in my chest. Before I could say anything, Leo stepped in. His voice was calm but firm.

“She’s not the bride. Bella is," his deep voice called as he wrapped an arm around my waist.

He glanced at me, his green eyes softening. I stared at his perfect face, the one I'd fallen so hard for. He ran his fingers through his dark hair and clicked his tongue, “I’m sorry for this,” he said, nodding towards Stella. “I’ll make it up to you.”

I knew what he meant—the heirloom from my grandmother. He’d spent years looking for it, searching everywhere. My grandmother had been the one to raise me after my parents' accident, and had passed her heirloom to me. I resented myself for having to sell it so cheaply when I had to pay the bills for her health, and now I was determined to get it back after she passed away.

Leo had committed to looking for it with me, it wasn't just a thing. It was the last connection I had with my family.

“When are you going to give it to me?” I asked, my eyes widening with the hopes he'd found it.

But then, with that usual teasing smirk of his, he said, “tonight”

“Wait, you really found it?! I would prefer to have worn it at the wedding..." my eyes shot open wide.

Before I could finish my words, he lowered his head so he could match my height, “It’s me, I'm the present," he tilted his face to whisper in my ears.

I widened my eyes when I suddenly realised what he meant. My face burned a bright red, my eyes widening a little.

"Sir," someone tapped him on the shoulder, "Mr Frederick is here to see you," they told him.

Leo nodded, barely taking his eyes off me, adjusting his collar and turning around to leave. My eyes followed him until he was out of sight and that was when I felt her deadly gaze on me.

Before I could turn to leave, Stella was already making her way to me. Her smile was sharp, like a blade wrapped in velvet. “Well, don’t you look thrilled to be here,” she said, her voice dripping with mock sweetness, “shouldn’t the bride look happy to be at her own wedding?”

I knew it was pointless to argue with her, so I turned to leave, but her voice stopped me.

“Cake,” she said as she stopped in front of me, folding her hands across her chest.

"Huh?" I pulled my eyebrows together in confusion.

"Get me a slice of the goddamn cake," she said through gritted teeth. By now, I knew what was best for me wasn't to argue with her. Stella was Leo's precious sister, and he paid the most attention to her, so everyone had to serve her to avoid his wrath regardless of who they were. I just didn’t want her to ruin my wedding.

I nodded and went to get her a slice. I returned quickly, searching the sea of heads for Leo as one of the servers handed me a slice of cake on the plate.

I handed it over to her and turned to take my leave.

"You must feel so proud of yourself, the fact that you get to be with someone like Leo," she scoffed, causing me to stop in my tracks

I closed my eyes, pursing my lips together, trying to hold it in. I spun around on my heels to look at her, opening my mouth to speak but then, her face had changed. Her skin paled, and her hands were shaking, out of control.

“Stella?” I asked, panic rising in my chest, my brows pulling together. I leaned in to hold her but she collapsed to the floor, earning gasps from around us.

Out of nowhere, I felt someone push me out of the way and that was when I saw Leo. He'd taken his suit off in a hurry, kneeling beside her.

In a weak voice, Stella managed to mutter to him, "Leo… I’m so sorry for ruining Bella’s day. I just wanted to be here for both of you… I didn’t mean for this to happen.”

And just like that she trailed off into unconsciousness.

His face was tight with worry as he lifted her into his arms. His bloodshot eyes burned into me, pinning me in place “What did you give her?” he snarled.

I froze to the ground, I had never seen him stare at me with so much anger.

“I didn't-" I couldn't find my words as my voice trembled, "It was just cake."

Judie, Leo’s housekeeper stepped between us. “Oh, my Stella,” Her tearful eyes were blazing with anger. “You did this on purpose!” she yelled, shoving me so hard I almost fell. “You know she’s allergic! How could you do this?”

“I didn’t know!” I protested, still trying to process what the hell was going on.

“Is it really worth getting this jealous over a stupid dress? You wanna kill her just for that? Look at what you’re doing! You don’t deserve to have a family!” Leo's voice cut through the air, each word a dagger to my heart.

Leo’s mother, Carla, stepped forward, I opened my mouth to say something but her hand came fast, sharp, and loud across my cheek.

“Enough,” she snapped. “You’ve done enough. "

The world blurred as I hit the ground, the sting of her slap mixing with the ache in my heart.

“Leo, you must trust me,” I pressed one hand to my face, my eyes widened in shock as I watched Leo leave with Stella, carrying her like she was something fragile, not caring to look back at me once, while a faint smile on Stella’s face …

The guests followed, murmuring in shock. The venue emptied, and silence filled the space.

I sat there on the cold floor, my head felt like it was spinning.

Slowly, I noticed a warmth trickling down my thighs. I looked down.

Blood.