I stood in front of the ornate mirror, the final touches being applied to my hair and makeup. Dressed in a stunning white gown that flowed like ocean waves, I felt like a goddess. This was the day I had envisioned since childhood, every detail meticulously planned. Today, I would marry Ace, the love of my life, and seal a promise of forever. But as I stepped out of my dressing room, laughter drifted down the hallway, pulling my attention.
It was Ace's voice, jovial and warm. I paused, my heart swelling with affection, until I overheard something that froze me in place. "Are you sure he'll be fine with all of us attending?" a woman giggled. "Of course! He loves us all dearly," another voice chimed in. "Right Ace?" Another women giggled sweetly. "Of course I do ladies" He laughed.
My heart sank like a stone. I leaned closer, hearing the unmistakable voices of three women—each one introduced to me as Ace's friends or acquaintances during our courtship. Friends did not laugh and talk about their affection for a man about to marry. A wave of disbelief washed over me. My stomach twisted, and I stepped back, my mind racing.
No, this couldn't be what it sounded like. Ace wouldn't do this to me. We had shared whispered dreams and soft promises, hadn't we? Yet the laughter of those women stirred a reality I couldn't ignore. The unmistakable truth of a polygamous marriage hung in the air. Heartbroken, I turned and fled down the hallway, not wanting to be seen, not wanting the day I had strived for to be tainted. My breath came in rapid gasps as I pushed through the side door and out into the cool, vibrant day.
The ceremony began, and Ace stood at the altar, smiling and anticipating my arrival. Minutes ticked by, and the worried murmur of guests began to rise. Where was I?
Meanwhile, I found refuge in a secluded park nearby, the ground littered with crisp autumn leaves. As I sank onto a bench, hot tears streamed down my cheeks, my heart shattered.
Then I heard hurried footsteps approach, and I looked up to see Christian—my fiancé's stepbrother—looming over me. Christian had always been cold, keeping his distance since Ace and I had gotten serious. It was a peculiar rivalry that held a tense tension. I glanced away, shame flooding my chest as I wiped my tears.
"What are you doing here?" I croaked, the accusation intended but wavering under the weight of my grief.
"I could ask you the same," he replied, his voice sharp but strangely softening at the edges.
The harsh lines of his features relaxed as he sat beside me, concern eclipsing the hardened exterior he wore like armor. He glanced over at me, his blue eyes boring into mine as though attempting to unravel my pain. "I... I saw him with them. He... he didn't tell me," I stammered, collapsing into a river of sobs.
I rested my head on his shoulder, instinctively seeking comfort. Christian's body tensed initially, but soon he felt the warmth of my weight settle against him. For a brief moment, he hesitated, wrestling with an instinct to pull away and his growing desire to hold me close. He had never been the one to offer solace, but the sight of my brokenness stirred something deep and unfamiliar.
"Hailey..." he began, his voice low. "I'm sorry. I'm so sorry you had to find out like this."
I pulled away slightly, enough to meet his gaze. "You too must think so little of me, all this time..."
"No, that's not it," he interrupted gently, his eyes softening. "I just—I was hoping Ace would keep things honest. I didn't know about them either. I... I thought you two were happy." A moment hung between us, charged and electric.
The world around us faded to silence as if we were the only two people left on earth. With the shared vulnerability surrounding us, something unexpected happened. Emotions flared, igniting a connection that neither understood. Christian leaned closer, cupping my face with a gentle hand, his thumb brushing across my cheek, wiping away my tears.
"Can I kiss you?" he whispered, the air thick with unacknowledged craving. My heart raced in a dance of longing and fear. I nodded hesitantly, and as our lips met, a rush of warmth enveloped me. The kiss deepened, stolen yet sweet, awakening a flame within me I had never expected to spark.
But as quickly as it began, I pulled back, panic flooding me. "I can't—I shouldn't." I scrambled to my feet, instinctively yearning to escape this tangled web of emotions.
"Hailey, please, wait," Christian said, his voice firm yet gentle, gripping my wrist before I could run.
"You don't have to do this alone." My heart raced with the pulse of conflict. I had fled from a broken promise only to find warmth in a cold place. Despite everything, amidst the heartache, I could feel the remnants of hope sparking between us as we stood in that sunlit park.