prologue

     “Ms Pierce, I'm sorry but Emily and Harrison eloped last night” 

         My heart sank as a guest whispered the devastating truth in my ear with a look of pity on her face.

I had spent months planning every detail of our wedding from the intricate lace on my gown to the delicate flowers on the tables. I was excited to finally start my life with the man who I had loved all my life, the man I thought I knew better than anyone else.

But as the minute ticked by, I realized something was wrong. There was no sign of Harrison. I felt a sense of unease but I waved it aside thinking he was just running late.

When I finally learnt the truth, my heart raced in confusion and disbelief swirled through me. I could barely process what had just been said to me.

Harrison_ the man that was supposed to be my husband had left me at the altar and is set to marry my step-sister.

It was like a punch to the gut, a harsh reminder that, I, Avery Pierce wasn't good enough. The pain and humiliation were overwhelming. I was left standing alone at the altar. My dreams of a perfect wedding and life were shattered.

The days that followed were a blur of tears and heartbreak. I struggled to come to terms with what had just happened. The betrayal was just too much for me to handle. I had trusted Harrison with everything, and he had it all thrown away.

      The news of my humiliation spread like wildfire and I became the subject of social media gossip. People couldn't get enough of the juicy story and my name was on everybody's lips

“ Bride abandoned on the altar for her own step-sister”

“The beautiful bride and her wedding day disaster”

“She's so stupid for not knowing her fiancee was cheating in her”

The comments were hurtful, but what hurt more was the realization that I had been blind to Harrison's true nature. When I think about it now, the realization that I was so invested in the relationship and ignored the signs that something was off. He became distant and emotionally unavailable and I kept hoping things could get better. 

I thought I knew him but it turns out… Harrison was a f*cking a*shole

          “f*uck! I feel so stupid”

 I muttered to myself while grabbing the pillow in a bid to suffocate myself.

         Vivian, my step-mother. The woman who had brought chaos and drama into my life. She was my mother's best friend. I remembered the day she married my father, how she had swept into our lives with her charm and beauty. But beneath her polished exterior, she was manipulative and controlling, always getting what she wanted no matter the cost. When my father died, she took over his properties and vast empires without giving me access to any. And then, there was emily her daughter, my step-sister. Both of them were like two peas in a pod, always scheming and plotting.

   As I thought about vivan, emily and harrison, I felt a surge of anger and resentment. I felt the need to revenge, the need to stand up for myself and get back all that was taken from me,the need to prove to everyone that I was worth more than just a jilted bride.

       “Please dear, you need to eat something” Ma Janet said.

I looked up at Ma Janet, the kind maid who had been with my family for years. She was standing in the doorway with a concerned expression on her face.

        “I don't have much of an appetite, Ma Janet,” I said while trying to smile weakly.

Ma Janet came over to me and put a gentle hand on my shoulder.

     “You've been through a lot, child. You need to keep your strength up. Let me  make you some soup”

I nodded, feeling a lump form in my throat. Ma Janet had always been like a mother to me. I lost my mother in a car accident at a very tender age. 

I took a deep breath and tried to shake off the feeling of despair that had been weighing me down.

Ma janet came back with a steaming bowl of soup, and the aroma wafted up to me making my stomach growl slightly. I took a tentative spoonful, and the warm liquid slid down my throat, comforting me. 

“Thank you, ma Janet,” I said, smiling slightly

She smiled back and patted my hand.

“You're welcome, dear. Now eat up and try to feel a little better” she said as she exited the room.