Chapter 3
After Alex put his phone down, he couldn't shake off a sense of unease.
It was probably because Alyssa had been too quiet that day.
But it didn't matter. Once Ember got married and had her own family, she wouldn't be hanging onto him and driving him crazy like before.
Alex would have plenty of time to beg Alyssa for forgiveness after that.
He had saved Alyssa's life once, after all. She had a soft heart, and she had loved him for so many years.
He was sure he could bring back what had faded between them.
The emcee stood on stage, hosting the ceremony. "Thank you for waiting, everyone.
"The bride is putting on the finishing touches for her big day. A little more patience, and the moment will be all the more perfect."
The doors slowly swung open, and every eye in the room was drawn to the entrance.
The bride, who had lingered backstage for so long, had finally appeared.
Ember wore a mermaid gown. Her white veil trailed across the floor, and her skin looked naturally radiant.
She wasn't young anymore, but the skillful makeup hid every trace of that, making her look especially delicate and alluring that day.
The room, once buzzing with noise, suddenly went quiet. Even Alex found himself barely breathing.
Watching Ember, so graceful and striking, Alex couldn't help but think of Alyssa right away.
When Alex and Alyssa had gotten married, they were both so poor. They didn't even have a wedding. They only got their marriage license at the city hall.
Later, when they had made a little money, they had gone back to their hometown and held a casual reception.
There had been kids running around half-naked, and guests chattered constantly and focused entirely on their meals.
Alex had stormed off the stage with a dark look on his face. He had refused to join in any subsequent activities and left Alyssa feeling awkward and helpless all alone.
It was nothing like the grand, opulent hall he stood in now, with the polite, professional emcee on stage.
A wave of sadness hit Alex. He had really let Alyssa down all these years.
Edmund Nichols, the bride, and Ember finished their vows, and everyone in the room applauded.
Alex joined in, clapping with extra force.
Even if he didn't have feelings for Ember anymore, he wanted her to be happy in the future.
Alex was the one who had introduced Edmund to Ember. Edmund was an important business partner, young and accomplished, with a bright future ahead of him.
Edmund said, "First off, I want to thank Ember. Thank you for believing in me and letting me be the one you share your life with.
"From here on out, I'll treasure you, look after you, and do my best to keep you happy and safe.
"And I especially want to thank our good friend Alex. If it weren't for you bringing us together, we would never have met and would not be here today.
"One more thing. Ember and I are expecting a baby. Wishing all of you happiness with your families."
On stage, Ember covered her mouth, moved by the moment.
Alex sat in the audience, his face full of a happy, touched expression.
What should have been a joyous scene shattered in an instant. The screen in the hall, which was supposed to play a montage of their love story, began to roll.
But instead of sweet memories, the first thing that blasted out was the sound of passionate moans.
The footage showed two people tangled together in bed, their faces twisted in pleasure, and every guest in the room froze in shock.
The woman was the bride of the day, Ember. The man was none other than Alex.
As everyone recalled Edmund's earlier words, their faces twisting with shock and disgust.
In the video, Ember said, "You call me a mistress? So what if I'm a mistress? Is that illegal or something?
"You take care of your old folks. I swear I won't fight you for them. I'm going to have his baby, and my kid's going to fight for your kid's inheritance."
The footage changed, showing Ember's face twisted with rage and provocation, a stark contrast to the sweet, quiet bride she had been moments before.
Once the video finished, a bunch of shameful photos started popping up on the screen, each one worse than the last.
Edmund's face was so dark it looked like a storm was about to break.
"Those photos and videos are fake. You have to trust me. I'm carrying your baby," Ember pleaded.
She clutched her stomach in panic and desperately tugged at Edmund's sleeve.
Ember had waited until she was thirty, no longer in her youth. Edmund in front of her was the best she could ever land.
If she lost him, with her reputation ruined, she would never have another chance at a good life.
Ember couldn't understand why this had to happen today, of all days. The day she was getting married, the day she was finally so close to happiness.
Edmund slapped her hard across the face. "You bitch!
"Who even knows whose kid you're carrying? That's just some bastard nobody even knows the father of.
"I haven't been with any other man since we got together. You know that.
"You had the nerve to crawl into a married man's bed. Who the hell would trust a word you say?"
Still furious, Edmund locked eyes with Alex, who was frozen in shock, and dragged him up onto the stage, beating him right there in front of everyone.
"I thought you were my friend, and you hooked me up with this slut you've been screwing?" Edmund yelled.
Everyone in the room was friends and family of Edmund. They all looked away, pretending not to see, and even snuck in a few kicks to Alex when they could.
Ember tried to step in and stop the fight, but Alex was too busy dodging blows from every direction. He didn't even notice her and accidentally shoved her to the floor.
Blood started pooling beneath Ember, spreading across the floor.
Alex tripped and fell in the chaos. No one knew where he got stepped on, but a horrible, blood-curdling scream tore from his throat.
The scene descended into utter chaos.