C05
Seated on the plane, I gazed out the window, watching the endless layers of clouds pass by.
For the first time in a long time, I felt completely at peace.
Looking back on everything that happened in this city, it all feels… absurd.
Almost laughable.
I still remember my wedding day with Aaron–the day he left me at the altar.
Aaron and I had known each other forever. Our mothers were best friends, and because of that, we were
practically engaged before we were born.
So, there I was, in a pure white wedding gown, holding a bouquet of fresh, vibrant flowers, standing in the center of the chapel, my heart overflowing with happiness.
Then came the moment that changed everything.
“Do you take this woman to be your lawfully wedded wife?”
Before Aaron could answer, his phone rang.
He glanced at the screen, and in an instant, his face went pale, like a ghost. Without hesitation, he turned around
and bolted out of the chapel–never looking back.
I knew.
I knew it was Naomi.
And because of that, I didn’t try to stop him.
Deep down, I had always known that Aaron would never choose me.
Left at the Altat, Chased by Lies
I stood there, frozen in place, as gasps and whispers swirled around the room like a tidal wave.
The moment stretched on forever, and yet, it felt like I was in a vacuum–completely disconnected from the world.
It was as if my soul had been stripped away, leaving behind nothing but an empty shell.
I stared, numb, in the direction where Aaron had disappeared, unable to move, unable to process anything. And then, slowly, the murmurs turned into ridicule.
“What do you think? Maybe the bride did something shameful. Why else would the groom leave her like that?” The moment those words hit the air, it was like a dam had burst. Speculation and slander flooded the room.
Just as my humiliation reached its peak, a man in a perfectly tailored suit walked into the chapel.
Damien.
He strode toward me, backlit by the soft evening glow, his face unreadable.
Still, in a daze, I didn’t even react until he dropped to one knee, holding a ring in his hand.
The room fell into stunned silence.
Gasps filled the air.
His eyes locked onto mine, full of unwavering determination–and something deeper that looked like affection.
“Camille, I know this might seem sudden,” he said, his voice steady and sincere, “but please–give me a chance. Let me spend the rest of my life protecting you and making you happy.”
I stared at him, my mind completely blank. I didn’t know how to respond.
But then I remembered–how he had risked his life for me on that mountain.
Back then, I truly believed he loved me.
The entire chapel was holding its breath, waiting for my answer.
I hesitated, my heart torn between everything I had just lost and the uncertainty of what was in front of me.
Finally, I took a deep breath and whispered, “I do.”
And just like that, the wedding continued–except the groom had changed.
That night was a blur. Everything felt hazy like I was in a dream. Before I knew it, Damien guided me through the entire ceremony.
The next morning, when I finally came to my senses, I found him sitting beside me, waiting.
After a long silence, I gathered the courage to ask, “Did you propose just to help me save face?”
Damien chuckled softly, pinching my cheek lightly. “Of course not. Look at this.”
He handed me a red marriage certificate, and I stared at it in disbelief. Inside was a photo of the two of us.
I frowned slightly. “But, don’t we need to apply for a marriage license together?”
He smiled patiently and pulled me into his arms. “I have connections. As long as I had your ID, that was enough.”
And just like that, I fell deeper into his carefully crafted illusion.
I believed him.
And because I believed him, I gave him everything.
I poured my heart into our marriage, thinking it was real.
I thought it was love.
I thought my future would be filled with happiness.
I even started to think that despite my lifelong fear of pregnancy maybe, just maybe, having a child with him.
wouldn’t be so bad.
