Chapter 2 Shattered Vows (A Wedding To Remember)

• I managed to smile as I twirled around once, the soft fabric of my wedding gown swirling around me, and continued to admire myself in the mirror. Today is the day, my wedding day, the day I marry the man of my dreams.
• But as I stood there, bathed in the glow of anticipation, my mind betrayed me. It drifted back to the day I met Kyle, that chance encounter in the elevator.
• Why am I thinking about him now, on the most important day of my life? I shook my head, trying to clear away the unwelcome thoughts. I should be focusing on Lucas, my soon-to-be husband.
• "My, you look absolutely stunning, Naina!" Amy, my best friend, exclaimed, breaking into my reverie. She walked towards me, her eyes shimmering with unshed tears, and enveloped me in a warm hug.
• "I wish you all the happiness in the world," she whispered in my ear, her voice tinged with something I couldn't quite place.
• Was that a hint of envy, or was I just imagining things?
• "Congratulations, Naina!" Betty chimed in, her eyes sparkling with excitement.
• "I'll definitely be the one to catch the bouquet," Viv declared with a mischievous grin, and we all laughed, the tension momentarily lifted.
• "Are you ready, Naina?" Amy's voice was serious now, devoid of the earlier playfulness. "This is your last chance. If you have any doubts, any second thoughts, now is the time to speak up. I'll be right behind you, no matter what."
• Her words caught me off guard. Was she trying to tell me something? I shook my head, pushing aside the nagging doubts. I was about to marry Lucas, the man I loved, the man who had been my rock for the past eight years. I couldn't let a fleeting moment of doubt ruin everything.
• With Amy by my side, we made our way to the door. The doors opened, and the soft strains of the wedding march filled the air. I took a deep breath and began my slow walk down the aisle, my heart pounding in my chest.
• As I walked, my friends chatted excitedly behind me, but my focus was solely on Lucas. He stood at the end of the aisle, his eyes never leaving mine, a look of pure adoration on his face. God, he looked so handsome in that tuxedo, so perfect. I practically ran the last few steps to him, eager to start our new life together.
• The priest began the ceremony, his words a mere background noise as I gazed into Lucas's eyes, losing myself in the depth of his gaze. I never thought this day would come, that I would find someone as wonderful as Lucas. I wasn't about to let a foolish mistake from the past ruin everything we had built together.
• As the ceremony progressed, I felt a sense of peace wash over me. I was where I belonged, with the man I loved, surrounded by friends and family who cared for me. Today was the start of a new chapter in my life, one filled with love, happiness, and the promise of a future with Lucas by my side.
• As I stared deeply into Lucas's eyes, something changed in his gaze. A look of fury replaced the adoration, and his blue eyes glared icily at me. His jaw clenched, and before I could comprehend what was happening, he spoke.
• "I'm not marrying this whore," he declared, his words like a dagger through my heart.
• Whore? The word echoed in my mind, confusion and hurt swirling within me.
• What had I done to deserve such a harsh epithet from the man I loved?
• "Lucas, what's wrong?" I asked, my voice trembling with fear and confusion. But before he could answer, a video began playing, capturing everyone's attention.
• I watched in horror as the scene unfolded on the screen. It was me, in the hotel room, with a man on top of me. His face was obscured, but mine was clearly visible for everyone to see.
• Someone had secretly took a video of me from that faithful night.
• Gasps of shock and disbelief filled the room as the realization dawned on me. This was a setup, a cruel trap orchestrated to humiliate me on what was supposed to be the happiest day of my life.
• Tears welled up in my eyes as I turned to Lucas, desperate to explain, to make him understand that it wasn't what it seemed.
• "It's not what you think, please believe me," I pleaded, but my words fell on deaf ears. Lucas's expression remained cold, unforgiving.
• "With this evidence, what am I supposed to believe? You lied to me, Naina. You lied about being a virgin but you've been screwing men everywhere, you lied about loving me. How could you?" His words cut me to the core as he pushed me away, his disappointment palpable.
• He stormed out of the room, leaving me standing there, broken and betrayed.
• I scanned the faces of the guests, my eyes locking with Amy's. My heart sank as I saw her smiling, a cruel twist of satisfaction playing on her lips. I had expected her to come to my side but instead, she turned and walked away, leaving me to face the humiliation alone.
• Confusion and shock gripped me as I tried to make sense of what had just happened. Vivian, sensing my distress, rushed over to me, her voice urgent as she demanded the video be shut off. She took a cloth and gently covered my face, shielding me from the prying eyes of the guests as she led me out of the room.
• I was shaking, my mind reeling from the betrayal and the public humiliation. Vivian tried to calm me down, her words soothing but barely registering as I struggled to process everything that had transpired. She excused herself to get something for to me cool down.
• As I tried to collect myself, the door opened, and Amy walked in. I stared at her
• I stood there, staring at her in disbelief as she burst out laughing.
• "Amy," I whispered, my voice barely audible over the sound of her cruel laughter.
• "Well, bestie, I'm sorry it didn't go as you planned, but why would you do that?" she asked, her tone mocking and devoid of any remorse.
• I felt a wave of nausea wash over me as her words sank in. "I never knew you were actually a slut," she continued, her words like a dagger to my heart. "I thought it would be hard for me to use you, but it was so easy."
• I felt my world crumble around me as I struggled to comprehend her betrayal.
• "What are you talking about?" I managed to choke out, my voice trembling with anger and hurt.
• "I can't tell you the full detail, but try to figure it out yourself," she said cryptically. "Who gave you the drink you drank at the party? Who was the first person you bumped into when you realized the dirty thing you did?"
• My eyes widened in shock as the pieces started to fall into place. No, this couldn't be happening. It was too cruel, too twisted.
• "Did you do this?" I asked, my voice cracking with emotion as I stumbled backward, trying to distance myself from her.
• "Well, I had to," she said coldly, her hand reaching out to caress my cheek. "You stole what was mine, Naina, and I had to do whatever it took to get it back."
• I couldn't bear to hear any more. With all the strength I could muster, I slapped her hand away from my cheek, the sound echoing in the room like a gunshot. She smirked wickedly, unfazed by my reaction, and left the room. The realization hit me like a ton of bricks. Amy had orchestrated this entire debacle, manipulating events to destroy me. I felt sick to my stomach, betrayed by the one person I thought I could trust.
• Vivian rushed towards me, concern etched on her face. "Naina," she called out, setting a glass of water on the table beside me.
• I clenched my fists tightly, my chest heaving with emotion. I needed to confront Amy, to make her understand the pain she had caused me.
• Without a second thought, I ran outside, my heart pounding in my chest. As I reached the hallway, I froze in shock.
• Amy was there, embracing Lucas tightly. His back was to me, but I could tell it was him. Our eyes met, and in that moment, my world shattered once more.
• Amy leaned in and kissed him, a betrayal so profound it left me speechless. I expected Lucas to push her away, to reject her advances, but he didn't.
• "Naina," someone called out, and Lucas disengaged from the kiss, turning to look at me with a mixture of surprise and guilt in his eyes.
• I shook my head in disbelief, the pain and betrayal overwhelming me. I felt numb, unable to process the depth of their betrayal. With a heavy heart, I closed my eyes, willing the world to disappear, to erase the pain and heartache that consumed me.
• And then, everything went blank, and I knew nothing more.