2

Chapter 2

Alyssa’s Pov

Complete weakness had spread through my body as I stood in front of the mirror, unable to move for several seconds. The reflection staring back at me looked nothing like the woman who had woken up that morning filled with excitement. My face had lost its color, my lips were slightly parted, and my eyes were filled with tears that I refused to let fall.

I pressed my hand against my chest, feeling the uncomfortable ache that had settled there since I left the registry office.

No. It was impossible.

I stared at myself in the mirror, searching for some kind of explanation that would make everything make sense. I tightened my fingers around the edge of the dresser as I tried to steady myself.

“You are married,” I whispered. Although my voice sounded uncertain. “You have been married for seven years.”

The paper from the registry office laid on the table behind me, untouched since I returned home. I had placed it there the moment I walked through the door, unable to look at it again.

I did not want to accept what it said. There had to be a mistake. I closed my eyes, and the moment I did, memories began rushing through my mind immediately.

Memories from our wedding day.

I remembered the way I felt when I walked down the aisle wearing my white wedding dress. And how nervous I had been, while my hands had trembled slightly while everyone watched me walk toward the man I loved.

Nathaniel had looked at me as though nothing else in the room mattered. At least, that was what I had believed.

I remembered the smile he gave me that day, and the way his hands had trembled slightly as he held out the ring. He had taken my hand gently and looked into my eyes with an intensity I had never seen from him before.

"I cannot believe I get to call you my wife," he had whispered.

A small, and painful smile touched my lips now as I remembered laughing at the memory, because he had looked far more nervous than I was.

I felt my chest tighten at the memory.

I remembered the vows we exchanged, and the way I had believed every single word without hesitation. I recalled saying that I would stand beside him through every challenge life brought us, and I remembered Nathaniel saying that he would protect me, love me, and choose me every day for the rest of our lives.

How could those moments not be real? How was it possible for seven years of memories to be thrown into question because of one missing document?

I opened my eyes and wiped away the tear that had escaped before I could stop it. "No," I whispered again, shaking my head. "This cannot be happening."

I walked toward the chair beside the bed and sank into it slowly. My hands were weak as I reached for my phone. There was one person who could explain this: the lawyer who had handled everything connected to our wedding paperwork. He had been recommended by Nathaniel's family, and had personally assured us that every document had been prepared correctly. He had been there. So, he would know.

My fingers trembled as I searched for his number. The moment I found it, I stared at the screen for several seconds before finally pressing the call. The phone rang once, then twice, then a third time while I held my breath waiting for him to answer. Then the call ended abruptly.

I frowned and tried again, but the same thing happened. After a third attempt, an automated message played instead. "The number you have dialed has been disconnected."

I lowered my hand slowly as I stared at my phone. The room suddenly felt too quiet around me.

"No," I said softly, shaking my head again. "That does not mean anything."

I forced myself to stand. Maybe he had changed his number, or moved offices, or there was some simple explanation I hadn't thought of yet. I refused to let my mind go further than that.

I walked to the bathroom and looked at myself again. My tears were still there, but I wiped them away carefully.

"Do not panic," I told myself, taking a deep breath. "Do not make assumptions."

I placed both hands against the counter and steadied my voice. "Nathaniel will explain everything."

Saying his name gave me comfort, because he was the person who had always made problems feel smaller. He was the one I ran to when things became difficult.

I looked at the clock. The dinner was still happening tonight, and the reservation was still waiting. Maybe this was simply a misunderstanding that would be solved within minutes. I could ask him directly, laugh about how scared I had been, and let him explain everything until I felt embarrassed for ever worrying. That was what I wanted to believe.

I walked back into the bedroom and opened my closet. The moment I did, my eyes immediately landed on the gown hanging carefully inside. It was the same gown I had worn the night Nathaniel proposed, kept because that night remained one of the happiest moments of my life.

I reached out and touched the fabric. Part of me wanted to choose something different, something that did not carry so many memories, but another part of me wanted to believe. I wanted tonight to remind us of who we were before responsibilities, pressure, and business had consumed our lives.

I changed into the gown and stood in front of the mirror again. My reflection looked more composed, though I could still see the uncertainty lingering in my eyes. I fixed my hair, and applied a small amount of makeup.

Before heading to the restaurant, I stopped and bought his favorite wine, a bottle of Château Margaux, the one he always ordered whenever we celebrated important moments.

Holding the bottle in my hands, I forced myself to smile. Tonight, I would hear the truth from him, and not from a stranger behind a registry desk.

When I got there, it was impossible to not notice the decorations outside. The entrance was beautifully arranged with flowers, lights, and elegant displays. The sight alone made my smile return slightly.

I stepped out of the car and held onto my gifts. "Everything will be fine," I whispered to myself, walking toward the entrance and trying to calm the nervous feeling inside me. The place looked beautiful, and the staff greeted me politely as I entered, so I smiled back.

The private celebration area was located farther inside, and as I approached, I could hear voices, laughter, and music. People were talking happily amongst themselves.

I pushed open the door, and the smile remained on my face for only a second before I heard a familiar laugh, one I knew better than anyone.

The moment I did, my steps stopped, and my fingers loosened until the gifts I was holding slipped from my hands.

The bottle of wine fell to the floor, and the sound of glass breaking filled the room.

I did not move. I stood frozen with my mouth opened slightly, as I stared at the scene in front of me.

There was an ongoing celebration. A private party filled with people I recognized: family members, business associates, and friends. Everyone looked happy. And standing at the center of it all was the man I had spent seven years loving.

Nathaniel. He was dressed perfectly, holding a glass in his hand, with a smile on his face. But he was not looking at me. His attention was focused entirely on the woman standing beside him. The woman whose hand was wrapped around his arm. And whose face I knew better than almost anyone else.

My best friend. Priya.

I felt my knees weakened as I stared at them. Nathaniel lifted his glass, while Priya's fingers remained intertwined with his.