3. Shining Star

It was the most beautiful ceremony Kayla had ever witnessed. The priest’s message was heartfelt and sincere, and the couple’s vows definitely caused another batch of tears.

Kayla reached for another glass of champagne as she felt the sting of tears threatening to fall again. She couldn’t cry now. Not in front of all these people. Not while her sister and new brother-in-law were happily enjoying their reception.

“Hey, you haven’t eaten yet,” Maddie said beside her. Kayla turned to her and tried to look composed.

“You know what? I forgot,” Kayla replied, lifting her champagne. “But this tastes good. Want some?”

Maddie shook her head dramatically, earning a small laugh from Kayla.

Kayla returned her gaze to the front of the ballroom, where Casey and Jordan stood once again at the center of attention. The hosts were calling guests up for a game.

From the corner of her eye, Kayla noticed the best man across the ballroom. He was looking at her again.

Maybe it was the champagne, but she lifted her glass in his direction in a small ‘cheers.’ He lifted his own in response, offering her a tight-lipped smile. She wondered what on earth was going through his mind while watching her.

“Is Derek coming?” her mother suddenly asked, cutting the moment short.

Kayla had prepared for that question, but hearing her ex’s name still sent her thoughts into a spiral.

“He’s shooting something in Barcelona,” she answered. It wasn’t entirely a lie. He did have scheduled work there. Months ago, he moved that schedule for her sister's wedding. But since they’re broken up, there’s really no use in postponing that event.

“That’s too bad. I was gonna request Casey to give the bouquet to you. I thought that would prompt Derek to propose,” her mother said.

Kayla stayed silent. She felt that if she said anything, the wrong words might come out, and she refused to ruin her sister’s day.

She shifted her focus back to the newlyweds. They were laughing as they watched their friends play the game prepared by the emcee. Kayla wished she could feel that free, but even in family gatherings like this, her actions are still limited.

“And now,” the emcee announced, “our maid of honor has prepared something for the newlyweds. Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome our ever-lovely and award-winning actress, our sparkling movie star, the bride’s sister–Miss Kayla Danes!”

Applause filled the ballroom as Kayla stood up, smiling and waving the way she was expected to.

“Hiiiii!” The emcee greeted cheerfully as she handed Kayla the microphone. “I’m a fan,” she whispered. Kayla smiled before turning to face the crowd.

The spotlight focused on her. Dozens of eyes watched, waiting for her to speak. She wasn’t sure what else she could say. Everyone already knew about her and Casey’s relationship. It was shared in interviews, featured in reality shows, and even made it to news headlines. Her life is technically a movie to them. What else could she share?

“Hi,” she began. “Honestly… I really don’t know what to say. I think everyone here already knows I’m the bride’s sister and that she’s my biggest fan.” She turned towards Casey.

“Even before I became an actress, Casey was already cheering for me. Every audition, she was the first to support me. Whenever the world doubted me, she believed. So when she told me she was falling in love, I gave her the same support she always gave me. The way she looked at Jordan, and the way he looked back, I knew it was true love. The purest kind.”

She lifted her glass toward her sister, who was already crying. “To Casey, you know I’ll always be here for you. My schedule is crazy, but if you call me, I’ll drop everything. I love you, sis. You know that.”

Tears slipped from Kayla’s eyes, but she let them fall. “I know you’re tired of seeing me cry on screen, so I’m sorry you have to see this in person,” she joked, earning laughter from the crowd.

Then she turned to Jordan, who now had his arm wrapped around Casey’s waist. “To Jordan, welcome to the family. I’m your sister now, so you have no choice.” Jordan laughed. “But seriously… I’ll always be here for you too. I trust you won’t hurt my only sister, and that you’ll love her endlessly. Because I know she’ll do the same. You two are the best couple I know. I wish you all the best things in the world. I love you both.”

Kayla lifted her glass once more. “Cheers!”

The crowd applauded as Kayla sipped her champagne. She’d lost count of how many glasses she’d had, and honestly, she didn’t care.

She returned to her seat as the attention shifted back to the couple giving their own messages. Kayla picked up her clutch, retrieved her phone, and found no message from her ex.

It really was the end.

Tears threatened again, so she looked up to force them back. She refused to cry again. She was tired of crying.

But then she caught the familiar pair of eyes watching her from across the ballroom. The best man. He’d been staring at her all evening. It was starting to feel… unsettling. Something unfamiliar fluttered through her chest, but she pushed it aside.

She scrolled through her phone, checking her socials for the first time all day. Between the taping, the wedding prep, and her own emotional mess, she’d barely had a second.

She wished she hadn’t opened it.

The first post on her feed was a picture of her ex, smiling beside his co-star. A co-star who had been a painful part of their breakup. Her chest tightened. She knew it was a promotional post, but seeing him parade that photo publicly felt like a slap.

Their relationship had been public. The breakup wasn’t. It was part of their contract. They started as a love team, before they became a real couple. Painfully, they had to stay a couple in the eyes of the people, even in their own families. Their managers had insisted they keep following each other online until their projects were done. No scandals. No distractions. No complications.

But how long could she pretend it didn’t hurt?

As the guests cheered for the newlyweds, Kayla quietly slipped out of the ballroom. She told Maddie she was heading to her room to rest and asked her to tell Casey she was just tired. Maddie offered to come, but Kayla told her to stay and enjoy the night. 

Kayla stood from her chair, clutch in hand. Her mother shot her a scowl, but Kayla smiled and kissed her cheek. “I’ll go back to my room to rest. I’ll also call Derek for an update.”

Mentioning Derek always worked like magic on her mom. She didn’t argue, just let her go.

Kayla left the ballroom and headed to the rooftop. The hotel garden up there had been closed for the private event.

A cold breeze greeted her as she stepped outside. The rooftop was empty, and the air felt calmer, nothing like the suffocating atmosphere downstairs.

She walked towards the edge and looked down at the glowing city. The city was still wide awake with its lights twinkling like a living sea. It made her smile. But only for a brief moment.

Her lips slowly pressed into thin lines, and they began to quiver.

She let the tears fall freely this time. No acting. No pretending. Just real pain.

She lifted her gaze to the sky, where the stars twinkle happily like diamonds. They were breathtaking. She wished she could be one of them. Then she scoffed, remembering how people called her the ‘New Generation’s Movie Star.’ It seemed she’s a star, but not one that sparkled with joy.

“Are you also fascinated by the stars?” a deep voice said behind her, startling her out of her thoughts.

She turned abruptly, and one of her heels snapped. Her eyes widened. She had no time to catch herself.

She braced for impact.

But instead, two strong arms caught her firmly around the waist.

They were warm, steady, and protective. She inhaled the subtle scent of expensive cologne. She was suddenly afraid to open her eyes, afraid of who she would find holding her.

Because in this fragile, clumsy moment… Those arms made her feel safe. As if someone was protecting her. As if someone had saved her.

Or maybe she’d forgotten to step out of her movie role, because feeling this way didn’t feel like her.

And yet, in the farthest corner of her heart, she wished this moment could linger just a little longer.