The Bride of the Wedding Is Not Me!

It only took a couple of months for Helen and Angel to begin a new relationship. She was deeply in love; the moments shared with her boss had blossomed into an intense and passionate romance. Helen had never loved anyone as much as she loved this man now.

When she arrived at her workstation one morning, a beautiful bouquet of flowers was sitting on her desk. She adored flowers. She leaned over and inhaled their scent, her chest swelling with joy. Biting her lower lip, she picked up the card and read it:

"One flower, for another even more beautiful flower. I’ve been thinking too much about you. –Edward."

Helen smiled, her heart racing with delight. She wanted to rush out to thank him in person—but he was already stepping out of his office, colliding directly with her.

Angel stared at her, while she wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him on the lips without hesitation.

He returned the kiss fervently and guided her toward the office chair.

"That’s nothing compared to what you deserve, Helen," Angel murmured, tucking a strand of her hair behind her ear. She smiled in blissful disbelief.

"I can’t believe life has rewarded me with someone like you, Edward. You’re everything I ever dreamed of, everything I’ve ever longed for."

Angel felt a pang of guilt. Although his initial intention had been to hurt her, there were moments—like this one—when he doubted himself. Helen’s presence inexplicably lit up his days.

"Don’t say that, Helen. I’m just a man like any other… but I want to make you happy. Always."

He leaned in, cupping her face in both hands, and kissed her passionately. His hands began to explore her body, sliding down her legs, and with every touch, he felt an inexplicable heat rising within him.

He loved her skin, adored her scent—her body fascinated him. But his pride was stronger than any feeling she might awaken in him… and he was engaged to Virginia.

Suddenly, a knock at the door interrupted them. It was the other assistant they had recently hired.

They exchanged knowing smiles, but that wasn’t the only moment when their romance simmered just beneath the surface.

Every day, Angel sent her thoughtful gestures and gifts. He never explained why—he simply followed his instinct, determined to make her fall madly in love with him.

They went out daily—to the movies, to dinner, for long walks. They talked constantly. And even though he was living under another identity, he indirectly revealed the truth of his life to her. And she, in turn, did the same. The trust between them was something magical.

One night, they sat beneath the moonlight. She looked up at the sky just as a shooting star streaked across.

"Beautiful, isn’t it?" Angel asked her, his voice soft, almost childlike.

"Of course!" she replied with a gentle smile.

"Did you make a wish?" he leaned in and kissed the tip of her nose.

"Yes, I did… but I don’t need to keep it secret."

"Oh no? Then tell me—what did you wish for?"

Angel felt a dagger pierce deep into his chest. Her words, her sincerity—they shook him. He was more confused than ever. But he would not stray from his goal, no matter what was happening between him and Helen.

Meanwhile, Virginia was getting dressed in front of Fernando. She came up behind him and kissed his neck.

"When will you make that woman pay for everything, she did to you?"

Fernando kissed her hand and turned to face her.

"Tonight, I'm going to ask her to marry me, and it’s going to be on the same day you and I get married, beautiful. I’m going to give her the surprise of her life."

Virginia kissed Fernando again and smiled with satisfaction. Although she had nothing to do with Helen, she enjoyed her pain.

Angel stopped by the jewelry store before arriving at the supermarket. He picked up his order and headed to where Helen was. They greeted each other as usual and continued with his plan.

"Honey, I want us to go out tonight to celebrate our fifth month together," Angel said, hugging Helen from behind.

She turned around, pleased, and kissed his lips passionately.

"I think that’s an excellent idea. Where are we going?"

"We’ll have a couple of drinks."

"I’ll look beautiful for you. I love you," she said. It was the first time Helen had told him she loved him, and it came out so spontaneously.

Angel took advantage of her naivety, making her believe he felt the same way, while behind her back he had already prepared everything to cause her immense pain.

"I love you too, beautiful," he replied as he embraced her.

Night fell, and the lovers headed to a beautiful place he had reserved—a table for two, with two glasses, a fine bottle of champagne, and candles.

"Edward, it’s all beautiful. Don’t tell me... did you do all this for me?"

"Helen, I’m completely convinced that you deserve this and so much more. You’re so beautiful." Angel poured two glasses of champagne, and they toasted.

After the first drink came many more. She wasn’t used to drinking, and the alcohol quickly flushed her cheeks. Feeling completely uninhibited and drawn in by the love she felt for him, she leaned in and kissed him.

But this time, it was different—more passionate. Within him, desire began to stir. Edward, for his part, thought it was the perfect opportunity to begin poor Helen’s downfall.

"Precious, I love your kisses. I swear I’m dying for more. These months by your side have been beautiful, but the idea of having your body... it really excites me."

"My love... I’ve never been with another man," she said nervously. Angel smiled, delighted to learn that Helen was a virgin. It was music to his ears.

"You mean I’ll be your first?" Helen pulled away slightly, not wanting to give herself to him before marriage.

"It’s just that I... I want to wait until I’m married," she replied, blushing.

Angel took her hand, caressed it, and kissed her again. After offering her reassurance, he pulled a small box from his pocket. When he opened it, Helen’s eyes sparkled at the gleam of the gemstone in the ring.

"I wanted to tell you something very important tonight. Helen Parker, will you marry me?"

Helen’s eyes widened in surprise, and a few tears escaped. She hugged Angel tightly and kissed him frantically.

"Tell me I’m not dreaming. Repeat it, Edward. Please tell me this isn’t a dream," she begged, her eyes fixed on the ring on her finger.

"No, my precious, this is real—a beautiful reality. I’ll make you mine forever, and it will be the most wonderful wedding. Now, let’s toast."

Overwhelmed by desire, happiness, and alcohol, Helen gave herself to her beloved that very night.

Angel explored her body as if he truly loved her. He was tender, loving, and gentle, making Helen’s first time special and unforgettable. She was completely convinced that he was the love of her life.

In the days that followed, they set the wedding date. Helen poured all her energy into planning the wedding of her dreams—the decorations, the party, the venue—everything was full of beautiful details. It was the most important day of her life, and she was overjoyed to be marrying the man she loved—the one who now held her virginity, her soul, and her body.

She looked at herself in the mirror, dabbed some blush on her cheeks, applied a soft lipstick, and pulled down her veil. The big day had arrived. Although she wished her parents could have been there for her most precious day, she was alone, with only a few guests from the village attending.

But Helen was completely happy. After the countless hours she had devoted to this love, she was not only willing to marry him—she also had, in her hands, an envelope with a wonderful surprise for Edward.

On the way to the church, her gaze was fixed on the envelope and the imagined images of her future family. Anxieties consumed her, and the excitement of finally standing at the altar with the man of her life was the greatest joy she had ever felt.

"Miss, we’ve arrived at the church," said the man she had hired as her driver, snapping her out of her thoughts.

Helen sighed as she looked at the doors of the place where she would surrender her love. Her heart was racing, and her hands were trembling. She clutched the bouquet of flowers and the envelope tightly. With a firm step, she stepped out of the car. The church looked beautiful from the outside, but she had made sure it looked even better inside.

As she took her first steps, she knew something was wrong. She thought she might have come to the wrong place, and surely, the wedding—her wedding—was already underway. The church was full, and at the altar stood a couple; another wedding was already in progress.

The groom turned when he heard the murmurs among the guests, curious about the woman dressed in white who had just arrived.

Helen felt her world collapse at her feet. Everything she had dreamed of was turning into a nightmare. She shook her head, and madness took hold of her instantly.

“Edward!” she called out, her voice trembling, realizing that the man getting married was her beloved fiancé.

“Helen, what do you need?” he responded arrogantly.

“What’s going on?” Her voice broke completely as Virginia looked her up and down with disdain.

“Do you remember nine months ago, when you were supposed to show up at the church? Do you remember Fernando Donovan?” Angel said in front of all the guests, who stared at Helen in surprise, yet no one said a word.

“No,” Helen whispered, on the verge of fainting. “What are you talking about?”

“I never loved you, Helen. I’m not even Angel Campbell. I’m Fernando Donovan. And I am getting married today—but not to you.”

A chill ran down Helen’s spine. Her legs trembled and her skin turned pale.

This isn’t true. No. It can’t be true, she repeated to herself.

“Security! Get this woman out! The wedding must go on,” were Fernando’s final words to her.

Two bodyguards grabbed Helen by the arms and dragged her out. She couldn’t even begin to process what was happening. The bouquet and the envelope slipped from her hands and fell to the floor. A woman in the crowd, moved by Helen’s obvious pain, picked them up. Unable to return them in the chaos, she slipped them into her bag, hoping to find Helen later.

Helen was left out in the street as a torrential downpour began. The church doors closed behind her while the wedding carried on inside. Shattered and consumed by anguish, she ran.

The thick rain made it nearly impossible to see, and her tears completely blurred her vision. Helen ran aimlessly, driven by pain and despair.

So overwhelmed was she that she didn’t notice the car speeding toward her as she crossed the street. She barely opened her eyes in time to realize it was too late.

The screech of tires filled the air. Helen was struck with brutal force. A terrible accident had just occurred. People rushed over, alarmed, when they saw the woman lying on the ground in a pool of blood—it was the heartbroken bride.

As the blood drained from her body, Helen still couldn’t understand how Fernando Donovan could have done this to her. In that moment, she believed that dying would be better.