Chapter 1
On my wedding day, Victor Alvarez abandoned me at the venue for my half-sister.
I became a complete laughingstock.
Later, when Victor said he wanted to throw us another wedding, I just handed him a gold-embossed invitation.
"The wedding is already planned. Too bad you aren't the groom anymore," I said.
*****
I was standing outside the ballroom doors, waiting to make my entrance.
But instead of my big moment, I got a phone call.
"Sarah, I'm so sorry. Hannah is threatening to hurt herself. I have to go calm her down," Victor said, his voice full of panic.
I gripped my phone tight, sure I'd misheard him.
"But today is our wedding. What am I supposed to do if you leave me here?" I asked.
I spent a whole year planning this day.
The ceremony was literally starting.
All our friends and family were sitting inside to celebrate with us.
Yet Victor was running off to find Hannah Mitchell, leaving me alone at the venue.
What was I supposed to do?
Victor sounded furious. "Sarah, I didn't know you were so selfish. Hannah is on the edge, and you're thinking about a wedding? Do you want her to die?"
I glanced at the wedding coordinator, who was hovering nearby looking confused.
I lowered my pride and begged, "Hannah isn't going to do anything. She's just putting on a show.
"Let's just get through the ceremony, and then I'll go check on her with you. Please, Victor. Just for today, don't leave me alone."
His voice was laced with anger. "How can you be so cold, Sarah? She's your half-sister!
"I know you hate her mom, but Hannah is innocent. It's just a wedding.
"We can do it another time. If I don't see for myself that she's okay, I won't have any peace of mind."
He hung up. When I tried to call back, his phone was off.
I closed my eyes as a deep wave of exhaustion washed over me.
It was always like this.
Whenever Hannah had an issue, Victor dropped everything.
I was never his first priority.
All my love and a year of planning couldn't compete with a single phone call from Hannah.
Even when she was acting. Even when I begged. Victor never stayed for me.
The coordinator hesitated. "Ms. Mitchell, what should we do? Are we still proceeding?"
I took a deep breath and apologized. "I'm sorry. The groom can't make it. Please cancel everything."
He gave me a sympathetic look and hurried off to stop the event. I grabbed a microphone and walked straight to the center of the stage.
This was where Victor and I were supposed to say our vows.
Now, it was just the site of my humiliation.
I stood tall and spoke clearly into the mic. "I'm very sorry, but the wedding is canceled. However, to thank you all for coming, I'd love for you to stay and enjoy my newly single party."
The guests gasped. People exchanged confused looks, whispering and wondering what happened.
The coordinator quickly took the microphone from me and managed the crowd.
I exhaled and stepped off the stage.
Right away, my dad and Victor's parents rushed over. They looked furious.
Without asking any questions, my dad slapped me across the face.
"You disgraceful girl! Why did you cancel the wedding? What are you trying to pull?" he yelled.
I wiped a drop of blood from the corner of my mouth and looked at them calmly. "Victor bailed on the wedding to go find Hannah."
Their angry expressions vanished instantly.
Once they realized the truth, Victor's parents looked embarrassed and quickly apologized.
"We're so sorry, Sarah," his mom said. "When Victor gets back, we'll make him apologize to you in person."
My dad looked a bit guilty. "Victor is just worried about Hannah. You can just reschedule the wedding. What's this nonsense about a single party?"
I ignored him and pulled out my ringing phone.
Hannah had just sent me two messages. One photo and one text.
The photo showed her and Victor with their fingers intertwined, leaning against each other.
The text said: [You will never beat me.]
The most ironic part was that Victor was still wearing the custom tuxedo I had picked out for him.