Chapter 4 Storms Don't Break

ADDISON'S P.O.V.

I stood in front of the mirror, trying to hold back the tears that had pooled around my eyes. This is the third time I am doing my makeup. What freaking fake waterproof mascara is this? But they said it was waterproof, not tear-proof, so my ever-wandering mind responded. 'It is the same thing,' I mutter as I redo my makeup, promising myself not to cry again.

I looked at the girl in the mirror, my rose gold ombre hair in a half-up, half-down twist studded with beads. My makeup was simple, and my nails were perfectly painted. My royal blue gown accentuated my small curves. I was stunning, but I could still see a broken mess through my eyes, so I tried to smile with my eyes and proceeded to look for my heels.

I look at the far corner of my room; there neatly lay my rose gold heels.

'What was I even doing? Why am I putting myself through this torture?'

My thoughts drifted back to the invitation on my bed. Scott and Vermont's wedding vows. It was printed in royal blue, hinting that it was a royal wedding and nothing could stop it, but they didn't use the couple's name. It seemed like it was the Scott family marrying the Vermont family and not really Adam marrying her. And I was specially invited to witness the union.

It felt like a slap when I received my invitation from Elara herself, with a smile and a subtle plea; she even asked me to be one of her bridesmaids, claiming she wants Adam's only sister to be among them. I chuckled sadly; it is as if she has no idea that I am trying to steal her man. If he wanted me, I would have been his for a long time. Or maybe she was trying to set a boundary and claim her territory, but her innocent smile says otherwise.

I didn't attend their engagement gala two months ago. It was held barely a week after my fight with Adam; I was still healing my broken heart and refused to attend. But I can't afford not going for this; I wanted him to think that I was over him, even though I wasn't. If I refuse to go, he wins-he broke my heart beyond repair, like I have foolishly admitted to.

I look in the mirror again, applying the final touches to my face and saying a mantra.

As I sat on my bed to put on my heels, my door unexpectedly opened.

"What the fuck, Adelson!" I glared at him. "Do you really want to see me naked?"

"Ewww! Hell no!" He said, his face scrunched up.

"Then you would have fucking knocked." I said, before turning to buckle my heels. I had no time to waste on my brother.

"Are you seriously going to the wedding? Mom and Dad said you can stay if you don't want to." He said, his voice filled with concern.

I turned to give him a smirk, but when I saw his concerned expression, I dropped it. "I was specially invited, and I am a bridesmaid. How won't I go? That's like admitting defeat. And what does a Storm never do?"

"A Storm never admits defeat! A Storm never gives up! A Storm always finds a way! A Storm knows 100 solutions, while the rest of the world only knows one! A Storm is fierce! Relentless! And unstoppable!"

My brother delivered our family creed with seriousness and strength. "Good boy."

"Fine! I knew I couldn't stop you from attending. So I will be your date for the wedding." He replied with a goofy smile.

"Too late, I already have a date; he is one of the groomsmen, and I even have a backup date in case the other one disappoints." I smirked as I rose from my bed. "But you can walk me downstairs." I offer generously.

"Okay, anyone will do," he said. "You look gorgeous today."

"I know," I taunt, a gleam in my eyes and a knowing grin as I look at myself in the mirror again. I am a storm ready to shake the foundation of anything I touch.

I gazed at him in his baby blue suit. "You brushed up nicely," I complimented, something I rarely do.

"Is that your way of saying I look handsome? I know," he responded smugly.

"You are all grown," I said, raising up my hand to ruffle his hair; even in my heels, he was taller than me.

"Don't!" He slapped my hand away before hooking his hand around my arm.

As my brother hooked his arm through mine, I felt a wave of comfort. Despite his goofy, casual demeanour, I know he cares about me and will always have my back, because that is what Storm does.

"Ready to face the spectacle?" he asked, giving me a cheeky wink.

"No, but I am ready to storm it." I replied with a sly grin.

"The mischievous glint in your eyes spells Storm," he remarked, smiling.

"You look stunning, baby!" My mom exclaimed, making me realise that we have reached the base of our stairs. Her eyes sparkle with unshed tears and adoration.

"Thanks, Mom," I replied with a gentle smile, feeling emotional.

"You look lovely, Addy. You know you don't have to do this, right? You can choose to sleep in." My dad spoke softly. It was obvious that they were all worried about me.

I wore my brightest smile. "Thank you, Dad, but I got this. What do storms do?"

"We storm through everything," my brother exclaimed excitedly.

"Let's go Storm the wedding!" I yelled, despite the knot in my stomach.

We all stepped outside into the cold weather. As I approached the car, my dad opened the left back seat for my mom, and Adelson opened the right backseat door for me with a bow and a hand on his chest. I laughed and slapped his arm before getting into the car.

As Adelson drove into the beautiful grand venue, I realised that Scott and Vermont didn't spare any expenses to make this wedding grand. The setting exuded wealth and power.

My parents went to their designated seats, and I waited for my brother to turn off the car engine and step down. As soon as he did, he came to my side and squeezed my hand, "Remember who you are."

"A Storm," I replied with a wink while swallowing the lump in my throat, before walking off with him.

*****

I stood next to the other bridesmaids, watching the soon-to-be couple. As they proceeded to say their vows, I asked heaven to interfere; I prayed for something to stop them. I prayed for a miracle as I fought back tears and bit my lips. "Not today, not now," I said to myself comfortingly.

My brother watched me as they finally said their vows, ready to swoon in to take me away if need be. I wasn't going to be some weak girl who needed saving, so I chanted our family creed and bit my lips deeper until I could taste the metallic taste of my own fluid.

As the vows were finally exchanged, signifying their union, their bond, I looked at Adam Scott with blank eyes. I think I saw a flicker of regret, but what was so obvious to everyone was the tired faces of the couple, like they just went through a storm instead of a beautiful vow.

As they passed us so that the bride could throw her flower, he gave me an undeniable look of longing, and I should have gotten angry; after all, he was the one that chose her, but instead my heart ached and yearned for him all over again, prompting a tear to fall.

'You can do this, Addison,' I told myself. You are a Storm, and storms don't break; instead, they break others, I said as a wicked thought ran through my mind.