Chapter 4
MADDIE
The next morning, I woke up early, the weight of my decision pressing heavily on my chest. I went through the motions of getting ready, feeling like I was in a daze. When I looked in the mirror, I barely recognized the woman staring back at me. She looked like a bride, but she felt like a prisoner.
My parents were already up, bustling around with nervous excitement. They kept reassuring me that everything would be fine and that I was making the right decision. I nodded along, trying to convince myself as much as them.
As I sat inside the wedding car, I silently prayed for a tornado to suddenly appear and ruin my wedding. I wished for anything that would stop this marriage from happening. If I could stay inside the car indefinitely, I would, just to avoid walking down that aisle and marrying Wyatt.
The weight of my decision pressed heavily on my chest, making it hard to breathe. I could hear the faint sounds of the wedding preparations outside, the distant chatter of guests, and the rustle of dresses. Each sound reminded me of the inevitable moment I dreaded. My heart pounded in my chest, each beat echoing my desperation.
My fingers fidgeted with the lace of my gown, and I could feel the tension in my body, coiled tight like a spring. Every fiber of my being screamed for an escape. The thought of stepping out of the car and facing Wyatt, pretending everything was perfect, was unbearable.
I closed my eyes and took a deep breath, trying to calm the rising tide of panic within me. The memory of Wyatt's betrayal of Lizzie played on a loop in my mind, tainting every moment of what should have been a joyous day. The idea of standing before our family and friends, pledging my love and fidelity to a man who had shattered my trust, felt like a punishment. I just wish I wouldn't puke upon reciting my vows.
I noticed that it had been a few minutes since we parked outside the church. The driver was already standing outside my door, waiting for a signal before he opened it.
I slightly roll the window down. "Is everything okay?" I asked.
"Everything is fine, Miss Phillips," he answered.
I was kind of disappointed upon hearing that. I was hoping for an excuse not to marry Wyatt.
"Oh, okay," I replied, feeling disappointed.
"Everything is ready now, Miss Phillips," the driver said before opening the door.
I glanced at my reflection in the rearview mirror one last time, the image of a bride staring back at me with sad, resigned eyes. This wasn't the fairy tale I had envisioned. But for my parents' sake, for their happiness and stability, I had to go through with it.
With a heavy heart, I straightened my veil and took one last deep breath before getting out of the car.
As I stepped out of the car, the sunshine seemed too bright, almost mocking in its cheerfulness. I forced a smile, plastering it on my face like a mask. Each step toward the church felt like a step closer to a life sentence, but I held my head high, determined to get through this day.
Standing at the doorstep of the church, I can see Wyatt standing near the altar, waiting for me. He was smirking rather than smiling. I can sense that there's something wrong, but I immediately dismiss the idea.
I started walking as soon as the wedding march played in the air. It didn't take me a minute to reach the end of the wedding aisle, as I didn't have the reason to take my time. I just want this to get over with.
I was about to hold Wyatt's hand when Lizzie suddenly appeared beside him, snaking her arms around his. She was wearing a bright red, revealing dress that clung to her like a second skin, starkly contrasting with my white gown.
"What is she doing here?" I asked, not bothering to hide my disgust.
"To witness the surprise," she answered, her tone dripping with smugness, offering no further explanation.
"What surprise?" I asked in confusion, my eyes darting between Lizzie and Wyatt. Wyatt stood there with an evil grin playing on his lips and a sinister glint in his eyes that made my blood run cold.
"Enjoy the show," she whispered in my ear, her breath hot and taunting.
Wyatt stepped forward and grabbed the microphone, his grin widening as he scanned the room. "I'd like to get everybody's attention, please," he said, his voice booming through the speakers. "I'm afraid there won't be a wedding happening today."
A murmur of shock rippled through the guests, their whispers growing louder as they tried to process what was happening. I switched my gaze between Wyatt and Lizzie, desperately trying to figure out what was going on, but I couldn't make sense of it.
"What the hell are you doing, Wyatt?" I demanded, my voice shaking with a mix of anger and confusion.
Wyatt's grin didn't falter. "I can't believe you almost tricked me into marrying you," he said, looking directly at me with cold, calculating eyes.
"What do you mean?" I stammered, my eyes widening in panic. My heart pounded in my chest, and a sense of dread washed over me. I had no idea what he was talking about, but judging by the smug looks on his and Lizzie's faces, I knew it wouldn't be in my favor.
"I already know that your family is on the brink of bankruptcy," Wyatt announced, his voice dripping with contempt. "And your family is only using this marriage to save your family's business."
A collective gasp echoed through the room as his words hung in the air. My hands trembled, and I felt a flush of embarrassment creeping up my neck. The guests began whispering among themselves, their eyes darting between Wyatt and me.
I was at a loss for words. How did it turn out this way? He should be the one in contempt for cheating on me by sleeping with my best friend. The scene unfolding before me felt surreal, like a nightmare I couldn't wake up from.
"Wyatt," I finally managed to say, my voice barely above a whisper. "You're the one who betrayed me. You slept with my best friend. How can you stand there and accuse me of deceit?"
Wyatt's expression remained unfazed; his eyes were cold and unfeeling. "It's true, Maddie. I made a mistake with Lizzie, but that doesn't change the fact that you tried to deceive me into this marriage for your own benefit."
My heart ached with a mixture of anger and betrayal. How could he turn this around on me? The guests' whispers grew louder, their eyes filled with judgment and curiosity. I felt the weight of their stares, each one a piercing reminder of my humiliation.
"You're twisting the truth," I said, my voice trembling with emotion. "I loved you, Wyatt. But you shattered that trust the moment you slept with my best friend!"
Lizzie stepped forward, her arm still linked with Wyatt's. Her smile was a cruel contrast to the turmoil I felt inside. "Oh, Maddie, you're so naive. Did you really think you could hide the truth forever? Wyatt deserves someone who isn't trying to trick him into a shabby marriage."
Tears welled up in my eyes, but I blinked them back, refusing to let them see me break down. I looked around the room, seeking any sign of support, but all I saw were faces filled with shock and disbelief. It felt as though the walls were closing in on me, the whispers and gasps of the guests creating a suffocating atmosphere.
"Don't worry, everybody!" Wyatt said it once again over the microphone, his voice oozing with false cheer. "There will still be a wedding. And it will be between me and Lizzie."
A collective gasp went through the room. My heart sank even lower, if that were possible. The betrayal was complete, and the humiliation was unbearable.
Wyatt sauntered towards me, a smug look on his face. "Oh, by the way..." He reached out and took my hand in his, his grip firm and cold. "...I'm getting this back." With a swift motion, he pulled the engagement ring off my finger.
The finality of that gesture hit me like a punch to the gut. The symbol of our supposed love and future was now gone, stripped away in front of everyone. The pain was raw and intense, but I stood my ground, refusing to let him see how deeply he had hurt me.
"Wyatt, you and Lizzie deserve each other," I said, my voice steady despite the tears threatening to spill. "You actually do me a great favor by canceling this stupid wedding!"
Lizzie's smile faltered for a moment, but she quickly recovered, tightening her grip on Wyatt's arm. "Oh, Maddie, you're just bitter because you lost. Get over it."
I took a deep breath, drawing strength from somewhere deep within. "No, Lizzie, I'm not bitter. I'm relieved. Relieved that I don't have to spend the rest of my life with someone as deceitful and heartless as Wyatt."
I turned to face the guests, many of whom were still whispering and casting judgmental glances my way. "Well, I hope everybody enjoys the show. Party's over!"
With that, I walked towards the exit, my steps growing more confident with each stride. The murmurs and whispers continued, but I no longer cared. I had faced my worst fears and come out the other side. I pushed open the heavy doors and stepped into the fresh air, feeling a weight lift off my shoulders.
As soon as I stepped out of the church, I noticed a sleek, expensive black car already parked outside. Its polished surface glinted in the sunlight, drawing the attention of a few curious onlookers. The tinted window on the driver's side slowly rolled down, revealing the familiar face of the man I had spent the night with.
"Get in," he ordered, his voice calm yet commanding.