Chapter 2 Betrayal

Exit the restroom cubicle and gaze at my image in the mirror as I wash my hands at the sink. I shift my hair to one side and tuck a strand behind my ear, revealing my beloved butterfly jewelry. I recall Mom handing it to me, and a smile came to my lips. It's a priceless present that I will always cherish.

I open the door and step out of the bathroom. I'm strolling down the hallway when I notice something. In the corner, a young girl wearing a white dress is sobbing and dabbing at her tears.

As soon as I walk up to her, I feel concerned. She turns to look at me as I stoop beside her. Tears well up in her large chocolate eyes. Her face is covered in worry.

"Hey," I murmur, softly grasping her shoulders. "What is the issue, my love? What's causing your tears? What took place? I examine her, wondering if she's simply lost.

"I've lost my flowers." Her lips quiver and her voice breaks. "If I don't find it, I can't walk down the aisle with my sisters."

I look at her, at the flower crown on her head, at her white clothing. She is probably a member of the bride's family and must be one of the flower girls.

"Don't worry," I tell her, dabbing at a tear. "I will assist you. Do you believe you dropped it somewhere?

She lets out a little cry and shakes her head. "I'm not sure. I can't recall, but I went to a room. It's too large here. Mommy is also looking for it, but she hasn't found it yet. She is attempting to contain her tears.

"Where have you disappeared to? I might be able to locate it.

I nod as she gestures toward a lengthy hallway on her left.

"And where is your Mom?"

Around the bend, she gestures to another corridor.

"All right, pay attention. I try to reassure her by whispering, "Everything will be fine." "Your mother must be searching for you, so just return to her right away. Alright, I'll find your flowers.

The young girl looks at me as if I were her superhero. Her eyes sparkle with hope as she nods.

I follow the path she indicates, searching for any indication of flowers and expecting to see a few petals along the route as a hint that would help me locate it. I'm afraid I don't find anything.

I stop as I come to an empty room. It appears to be a waiting area. On the table next to the couch are many half-empty champagne glasses. I look all over the room, but I can't find the flowers.

As I continue down the corridor, I come to another door that is partially closed. I take a slow step toward it. Even though the door isn't as widely open as the one before, the silence on the other side leads me to believe that the room is also empty.

I knock on the door just in case. "Hey? Is there anyone present?

I don't hear anything. I wait a few more seconds, but nothing appears. This is an emergency, yet I know I shouldn't do it. I inhale deeply before opening the door. I discovered a bed, a sofa, and a dresser in an empty room.

Despite having additional couches and chairs, this room is the same size as the one I was in just now. I move my gaze around, making sure to look in all directions to locate the blossoms. However, my efforts are in vain, and I begin to feel disappointed.

In the hopes of finding the flowers on the floor beside the bed, I look in the area by the window. I go around this area as well after spotting another path leading to a rear entrance, but I only see a credence table and no flowers.

I hear conversations as soon as I enter the building through the back entrance and reach the patio that leads to a garden outside.

"This is it?" A man is talking. His tone is one of anger.

As I look at the bride in her white bridal gown, facing the man in this garden's darkness, my eyes enlarge with surprise. I can still see her beauty even though it's nearly completely dark outside, save for the light from the patio where I'm standing. Despite her beauty, Olivia Stone's look is anything but joyful.

The man says again, his voice coming from clenched teeth, "Is this what you want?"

He's tall, and his attractive face is illuminated by the patio light as he approaches her.

He's not Ethan, though.

Naturally, Ethan was present in the hallway-I saw him.

"Roman, please." Olivia's voice trembles. "It was a mistake." She begs him to stop whatever he's doing as she fixes her beseeching gaze on the man in front of him.

Roman's mouth clenches. "You can't do this." His voice has a tenderness that surprises me. "You can't do this to us." As if trying to restrain his rage, he clenches his fist tightly at his side. "Do you think that you can just go back to him after what happened?"

Olivia gives a defiant shake of her head. "I'm sorry." Her voice breaks. "I'm sorry for what happened between us, but I can't do it anymore." Roman looks at her incredulously as she swallows. Then she inhales deeply. "I love him." Now there's shame in her voice. "I love Ethan."

Roman laughs, but his face shows the misery he's feeling. Hissing, "No, you don't," "You wouldn't cheat on him with his best buddy if you truly loved him. Are you implying that our possessions aren't authentic? Will you simply disregard our actions in London?

Olivia sobs quietly as my heart shatters. For the man who is waiting for her at the altar, not for her. The world appears to come to a halt. What's going on?

Did I hear them correctly? Was Ethan betrayed by them? Roman. " Olivia's cheeks are now wet. "I felt lonely and stressed." I couldn't understand. Both you and I made a mistake. Our actions were terrible.

Roman looks at her as if she just said the most absurd thing ever. He appears to be trying to break something. Olivia, hurry up. "I came to you," he says, his voice full of danger and desperation. "It wasn't just one time, you know it." You approached me. You didn't consider what you said while you were on my fucking bed in my arms just now."

I have a terrible feeling that makes my stomach turn. I want to instantly go from this spot, but the shock that is engulfing me has me firmly planted on the earth. I'm immobilized.

Nyla, get out of here. All of this shouldn't be happening to you. Run. Take off.

"You said that you love Ethan?" Roman laughs once more. "That's bullshit."

The tears are suddenly pouring from Olivia's eyes. Hard.

"Roman, please don't do this. Please. I'm not even sure which man she's crying for when she does this. Her subsequent statements, however, affirm that "I did make a mistake, and I do love Ethan." I wasn't strong enough to accept that he wasn't with me at that time because I was at my lowest. My heart is always aching for him. I want to spend the rest of my life with him. He is the person I wish to wed. Please. You-" She chokes. "You have to forget everything about us."

"No, you don't mean that." Roman's trembling voice is unbearably painful. "Because I loved you, I also decided to study in London. I fulfilled the task that Ethan was unable to do. You're claiming that you merely used me now? That when you needed me, you could just leap into my arms and return to your fiancé without any further explanation?" His voice is so loud that I nearly jump in surprise as he yells.

As soon as they sense my presence, Olivia and Roman both suddenly turn their heads in my direction, and I am enveloped in darkness. Fear is trembling through my entire body.

I'm the first to speak, which surprises me because the other two of us are too astonished to comprehend what's occurring. I stammer, "I'm sorry," instead. "I didn't mean to--"

"How much did you hear?" Olivia interrupts me, her horrified eyes wide.

Since I essentially heard everything I shouldn't have, I am unable to respond to that. I take a deep breath.

"Who are you?" Olivia queries.

"I was just trying to help the flower girl." My voice is shaky.

She raises her voice, practically yelling, "Who are you?" She seemed to be in danger of passing away. She had heaving up and down in her chest.

I inhale deeply in an attempt to quiet my heart, which is pounding in my chest like a drum. "I-I came--" My breathing suddenly became difficult, and I nearly choked. I joined Max's family when I arrived.

Olivia looks at me as if I've just given her a brain injury. "Max?" She hardly makes a sound. "You mean, Luna's fiancé?"

I want to cry. I can feel the catastrophe I'm about to bring about and the mayhem that will result from seeing all of this. I should have avoided getting involved in this disaster.

"You're Max's family?" You can see the fear gliding across Olivia's face.

I say, "Please just forget about this," without hesitation. "I would act as though nothing had occurred. I firmly say, "I didn't see or hear anything," and return to the building, knowing that they won't believe me.

Olivia wouldn't be able to move on from the fact that someone just overheard their talk, regardless of who I am or if Ethan would find out about this secret. It would be detrimental to Luna even if I weren't related to Max or close to her.

I return to the room and hear her speaking to Roman once more. Her voice reverberates with panic.

She sobs, "Oh, God," "What ought I to do? What happens if she discloses this to someone? What happens if Ethan finds out?

Forcing my trembling legs to pull me away from them, I continue to walk, hoping this is only a nightmare.

"How am I going to face them?" Olivia sounds distraught, as if everything is falling apart. "How am I going to face Ethan if he knows about this?"

When her tears stop, Roman says, "You don't have to face them" once again. He speaks firmly.

I'm startled by a loud voice saying, "There she is," as soon as I leave the room.

I turn to see the flower girl approaching me, accompanied by a woman who is most likely her mother. I abruptly closed the door behind me since I didn't want to start any more trouble. Tonight, I've already caused too many problems.

Because I entered this forbidden place, I am well aware that the most anticipated wedding of the year will most likely end badly.

When the young girl rushes toward me, I pick up my speed. No one else should be able to enter through that entrance.

"I've got my flowers back." The girl stops in front of me, beaming from ear to ear. With a little basket of flowers in her hands, she pants. "Thank you for your help, though."

I give her a gentle stroke on the hair and put on a shaky grin before continuing. As I walk past her mother, I simply nod gently, and she smiles warmly at me. She appreciates my attempt to assist.

I hear her say to her daughter, "Go to your sisters," and I don't turn around. Olivia should get ready, I'm going to say. The moment has come for her to get married.

My mind is racing. My only goal is to get out of here as quickly as possible and to conceal what has transpired. Right now, I have no idea what's happening behind that door.

Are Olivia and Roman still conversing in the garden?

Or has she entered the room again without him?

However, I don't want to believe the worst explanation that comes to mind.

Sienna squints at me when I settle back next to her in the hallway. "What took you so long?"

I concentrate on my hot hands and lap. Weakly, I add, "I got lost," and Sienna laughs, going back to the altar.

"It's almost time." Luna squeals, and I hear it.

My heart bleeds at the scene before me as I prepare to look up. Standing at the altar with his eyes fixed on the aisle is Ethan Blake. His face is beaming with joy, and his eyes are full of his desire to see his bride.

I've never seen a man so happy. To finally have their "forever," that is the expression of a man who is prepared to take his vows with the lady he loves deeply.

I'm excited to see the bride. She must be quite beautiful. Sitting next to me, Sienna laughs. "Right, Nyla?"

I don't respond to her. Too many scenarios are running through my head.

"Nyla?" I quickly turn to face Sienna after she gives me an elbow. "What's wrong?" She examines me closely. "You look pale."

I fake a smile and shake my head.

A couple more minutes go by, then more minutes. A sense of amazement begins to permeate the air. People's breath is being held.

At the altar, Ethan Blake is still standing patiently. He never takes his eyes off the aisle. I yank my eyes away from him and return my attention to my lap.

I have a large lump lodged in my throat. My eyes start to well up with tears, and my chest is constricted.

You claimed to adore him. You declared your intention to wed him.

He's waiting for you, please.

I curse myself in my heart for my foolishness and recklessness.

As more time goes by, Ethan's smile gradually disappears. His expression changes to one of confusion.

His bride is still nowhere to be seen.

People start whispering. They are discussing what might have happened in whispers.

I feel my heart breaking, and I let out a little weep.

Please return.

In my heart, I pray constantly. I'm not sure what I'll do if she doesn't return to him.

Come back for him, please.

You claimed to adore him.

Please return.

Return.

However, Ethan Blake is left alone at the altar when his bride never shows up.