3. Shining Star

KAYLA

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

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

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

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

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

I returned my 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 my eye, I noticed the best man across the ballroom. He was looking at me again.

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

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

I've prepared for that question, but hearing my ex’s name still sent my thoughts into a spiral.

“He’s shooting something in Barcelona,” I answered. It wasn’t entirely a lie. He did have scheduled work there. Months ago, he moved that schedule for Casey's wedding. But since we’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,” mom said.

I stayed silent. I felt that if I said anything, the wrong words might come out, and I refused to ruin my sister’s day.

I shifted my focus back to the newlyweds. They were laughing as they watched their friends play the game prepared by the emcee. I wished I could feel that free, but even in family gatherings like this, my 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!”

Yeah, I forgot I have to deliver a speech.

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

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

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

“Hi,” I 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.” I turned towards Casey. I could feel the tears threatining to fall again.

“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.”

I lifted my glass toward her, 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 my eyes, but I 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,” I joked, earning laughter from the crowd.

Then I 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.”

I lifted my glass once more. “Cheers!”

The crowd applauded as I sipped my champagne. I’d lost count of how many glasses I've had, and honestly, I didn’t care.

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

It really was the end.

Tears threatened again, so I looked up to force them back. I refused to cry again. I'm tired of crying.

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

I scrolled through my phone instead, checking my socials for the first time all day. Between the taping, the wedding prep, and my own emotional mess, I barely had a second.

I wished I didn't open it though. Because the first post on my feed was a picture of my ex, smiling beside his co-star. A co-star who had been a painful part of our breakup. My chest tightened. I knew it was a promotional post, but seeing him parade that photo publicly felt like a slap.

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

But how long can I pretend it didn’t hurt?

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

I stood from my chair, clutch in hand. Mom shot me a scowl, but I 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 mom. She didn’t argue, just let me go.

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

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

I 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 me smile. But only for a brief moment.

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

This time, I let the tears fall freely. No acting. No pretending. Just real pain.

I lifted my gaze to the sky, where the stars twinkle happily like diamonds. They were breathtaking and I wish I could be one of them. Then I scoffed, remembering how people call me the ‘New Generation’s Movie Star.’ Well, I guess I'm a star, but not one that sparkled with joy.

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

I turned abruptly, and one of my heels suddenly snapped. My eyes widened at the realization. I have no time to catch myself.

I closed my eyes and braced for impact.

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

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

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

Or maybe I have just forgotten to step out of my movie character, because feeling this way didn’t feel like me at all.

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