Lies Between Gowns and Gifts

Synopsis

The night before the wedding, rain poured in torrents. I slammed the signed divorce papers onto Hugo Kennedy's desk. He rubbed his sleepy eyes, sharpness flashing in his gaze. "Natalia was upset. I stayed with her half the night, and you're filing for divorce now?" Hugo said. My fingers were ice-cold as I lowered my gaze to the storm outside. For three years, I writhed in stomach pain while he bought birthday gifts for his sweetheart, Natalia Doyle. I broke down in tears under a client's cruel demands while he celebrated with her for her birthday. Even tonight, on our wedding day, he was wearing the sapphire on his lapel Natalia had abandoned last year. I had loved him for seven years—from school uniforms to wedding gowns—lying to myself all that time. He tore up the papers with a casual shrug and said, "She's in the past. We're getting married tomorrow. Stop making a scene." I lifted my eyes, showing not a trace of tears. "One copy torn, I'll sign ten more." Suddenly, he grabbed my wrist, voice tight with emotion. "Seven years, can you really throw it all away?" I pulled gently, revealing the red marks on my skin, lips curling into a cold, bitter smile. I said nothing because earlier, in the pouring rain, I had seen the ring he ordered for Natalia—crafted overnight, a size smaller than mine.