Heartbreak

Celine’s POV

My eighteenth birthday is in an hour.

I stood in front of the mirror, staring at my reflection. My red velvet dress lights up the room, my hair was carefully styled, and everything about me was ready for the next moment.

Tonight, I was determined to make Dave see a woman, and not a little girl.

Tyra sat behind me, watching nervously while Stephen stood near the door with his arms folded.

“You’re really going to do this?” Tyra asked.

I turned toward her. “Yes.”

She exchanged a worried look with Stephen.

“Celine, maybe you should think about it one more time,” she said again.

“I’ve already thought about it enough.”

My mind was made up. Going big would make Dave realize I was being serious and not just messing around. All week, Dave had withdrawn, keeping a distance between us again, and pictures of him with Sabrina kept appearing online.

It’s not real. I knew that.

But I can’t help feeling angry. Real or not, I hate to see him with another woman. The only one allowed to be with him is me.

“I don’t think it’s a good idea,” Tyra pressed on.

I turned back to the mirror and took in a deep breath. “I don’t care,” I stated.

“Tonight, I’m going to confess to Dave in front of everyone.”

Before either of them could say anything else, our phones chimed almost simultaneously. Tyra frowned and picked hers up.

Stephen did the same.

Then Tyra’s expression changed. Her face went pale.

“What?” I asked, adjusting my necklace.

She didn’t answer.

Stephen looked at his phone too, and his jaw dropped. I turned away from the mirror, feeling upset at their silence.

“What happened?” I demanded.

Tyra slowly turned her phone toward me.

My eyes fell on the picture, and everything inside me stopped. It was a picture of Dave and Sabrina getting married.

My fingers curled tightly at my sides.

“No…” My voice barely came out.

Stephen immediately stepped forward. “Celine…” He tried to stop me, but I grabbed my purse immediately.

“Where are you going?” Tyra called, rushing to me.

“To him.”

I stormed out before either of them could stop me. They yelled my name, but I didn’t stop, their footsteps following behind me.

My heart pounded as I rushed outside, every one of my thoughts consumed by the picture. Over my dead body will I let Dave marry another woman.

-

I pushed the doors open with restrained fury, panting hard. A gasp escaped me as I lifted my head toward the aisle.

For a second, I halted.

The hall was filled with people dressed in black suits. It was beautifully decorated, and the priest stood at the altar.

It’s really happening?! They were actually having a wedding.

My fists clenched tighter, and I rushed forward to stop whatever was about to happen. Before I could get any farther, someone grabbed my arm. I turned sharply to see Jeff.

“Let me go!” I demanded.

He held me firmly. “Not now,” he said.

“What do you mean, not now?” I yelled. “Let me go,” I strained.

His grip became firmer. I struggled against his grip, but he wouldn’t release me.

Then I saw Dave standing at the front of the room, dressed in a black suit, his expression cold and unreadable. I called out to him immediately.

“Dave!” My voice cracked.

His eyes met mine.

“You promised me. Why are you doing this?” I questioned.

He didn’t answer. His eyes remained cold.

I clenched my fists, fighting to be free from Jeff, who gripped my arms tightly, forcing me back.

“Why?” I screamed.

Tonight was meant to be my happiest night. The day I confess to Dave, the day I become an adult and be with the one I love.

Dave looked away without batting an eye, like I wasn’t standing there.

Then the doors opened, and Sabrina walked in. She looked completely satisfied when she saw me there, being held down by Jeff. A small smirk tugged at her lips.

I felt my anger explode. “You!”

I tried to pull away from Jeff again, the desire to tear her apart was stronger.

“Celine, stop!” Jeff called out to me.

I watched helplessly as Sabrina walked toward Dave. It felt like a nightmare happening. My eyes burned with tears, and I tried again, yelling.

Jeff put his palm over my mouth to keep me quiet, and I bit him hard. His grip loosened a little, and I tried to escape then. But Tyra and Stephen rushed over. They stood in front of me, blocking my sight.

I was grabbed this time by two of Dave’s men.

Although I was blinded, I heard the vows, every word piercing my heart. I stopped fighting for a moment and simply stared, my tears pouring out in anger and hate.

Dave never glanced at me. And that hurt more than anything else.

“You may kiss your bride,” I heard the priest say.

My heart dropped.

I didn’t know why, but the guards let me go in that moment. And I didn’t wait. I rushed forward with so much vigor, ready to destroy what was remaining.

But just a distance away from him, Dave’s eyes found mine, and while still staring at me, he pulled Sabrina close and kissed her.

I froze abruptly. The sight shattered whatever hope I had left. My heart seemed to break into tiny pieces.

Tears filled my eyes as I gazed at Dave. Slowly, I walked up, and my hand flew before anyone could stop me.

Smack!

The sound echoed through the whole room.

Everyone froze. Beyond shocked at what had just happened, a stunned silence followed. To them, the most feared man in the whole city had just been slapped right in front of their faces.

But to me, I had just slapped a traitor who failed to keep his promise.

Dave’s head turned slightly from the impact. He stared back at me, unfazed, like he had expected it. I stared at him, tears streaming down my face.

“You couldn’t even reject me properly?” My voice broke. “You had to do this?”

“I spoiled you too much. It’s my fault,” Dave muttered. “I should have done this a long time ago.”

Tyra and Stephen rushed toward me, afraid. They tried to stop me, but I pushed forward again.

“You’re heartless!” I cried, shaking my head as my whole body trembled.

Stephen grabbed my arm. “Celine, please!”

I ignored him and pulled against Dave, crying harder. I threw a hard punch, hoping it would hurt.

“You told me I mattered to you!” My voice echoed through the room. “You told me I was important!”

Dave’s expression remained cold. That hurt more than anything. I stared at him through my tears.

“How could you do this to me?” I cried hard.

I knew I should stop, but I was uncontrollable. My heart hurt so much I thought I would pass out.

Then Dave finally spoke.

“Take her away.”

Those were his only words. His eyes remained fixed on me as he said the next line.

“Lock her up,” he ordered.

Before I could react, his men surrounded me, including Tyra and Stephen. I gripped my dress angrily.

“Don’t you dare touch me!” I screamed at them.

The guards took hold of me without restraint. I stared at Dave in disbelief. He had never allowed anyone to touch or hurt me before.

My struggles weakened as I looked at him one last time before I was dragged out. Tyra and Stephen too.

He stared back at me without a word, and as I glared at him through my tears, I admitted,

‘I hate you, Dave.’