The Wedding Vows Betrayal

My wedding was just around the corner.

My best friend Serena had made a special trip from our hometown to help me pick out my wedding dress.

She arrived late at night and then headed straight for the shower.

As the water ran, her phone pinged with a notification.

Viv, could you check who that is for me? she called out.

I walked over to her coat, smiling. "Aren't you worried I'll see something private?"

"........."

The sound of the shower grew louder, she clearly hadn't heard me.

I unclock her phone. It was a text.

"Hey baby, are we on for tonight? Got your favorite little toy ready."

Below it was a picture.

A sheer lace bra, a pair of pink fuzzy handcuffs.

And a small leather whip.

Then, a voice message came through.

"Serena, what do you think? Like it? How about we spice things up tonight?"

The voice was unmistakably male, smooth and confident.

But hearing that voice, I froze.

Because that voice wasn't just anyone's. It belonged to Nathan Reynolds... my fianc.

...

I stood there, stunned, convinced I must have misheard.

I played it again. And again. There was no doubt. That man was Nathan, my fianc!

The sound of the shower from the bathroom now felt like a blade stabbing through my heart!

The pain stole my breath.

Seeing Nathan and Serena's shockingly explicit exchange.

My entire world seemed to shatter in an instant!

I couldn't accept this brutal reality.

My mind raced, trying to convince myself it wasn't true...

Maybe it was just a coincidence, a man who sounded like Nathan.

After all, some bonds feel eternal. Like the one between me and Serena.

From fighting over the same marshmallow in kindergarten.

To whispering secrets under the covers in middle school.

To cramming into a tiny apartment eating instant noodles after college graduation.

Her life seemed intricately woven with mine.

I couldn't believe it. The two most important people in my life... doing this to me!

My fingers trembled slightly as I gripped the phone.

Serena's chat screen was still lit up.

The account with the matching couple avatar had just sent a cold question mark. It felt like a tiny needle jabbing my fingertip.

I practically fled, locking her screen. Then, with shaking fingers, I pulled out my own phone and opened Nathan's chat.

My heart hammered painfully against my ribs as the video call connected. My breath hitched.

"Hey, sweetheart."

Nathan's face soon filled the screen.

The warm, yellow light of his hotel room softened his features.

His buddies crowded in behind him, hooting.

"Mrs. checking in ou you, man?"

"You have no idea, Viv! Nate's been a wreck without you, talks about you nonstop!"

They laughed and joked, the clinking of beer cans and their banter loud in the background.

It sounded warm and genuine, like a scene from a carefully scripted rom-com.

Nathan pulled the phone closer, his voice softening.

A hint of a whine crept in. "Miss me? I've been bugging these guys to wrap things up faster so I can get back and help you pick the dress."

Seeing the light in his eyes, the tips of my ears burned.

The swirling doubts burst like soap bubbles, instantly losing their power.

"Your work comes first," I forced a light laugh, but my words slipped out sharper than intended. "Hey, by the way... Serena seems to be seeing someone. What do you think of her..."

Nathan's smile faltered for half a second, quick as a blink.

Then he frowned, his tone dripping with unmistakable disdain.

"Who cares about that tomboy? If it weren't for you, I'd never want to hear her name again."

He waved a hand hurriedly. "Baby, it's kinda loud here. Gotta go. I got a present for you. Love you, mwah..."

Before I could say another word, the screen went black.

I was left staring at my own empty reflection.

The doubt inside me solidified, a heavy, sickening weight.

The balcony wind carried the chill of late autumn, making my arms stiffen.

A hand suddenly landed on my shoulder.

I turned. Serena stood there.

She was wearing a scarlet bodycon dress, the hem riding high on her thighs.

Vibrant lipstick erased her usual tomboy look.

Glitter at the corners of her eyes sparkled under the light, making her frighteningly unfamiliar.

"Serena, are you seeing someone? That message earlier..." I grabbed her hand, trying to fish for information.

Before I could finish, she violently shook me off, the force making me stumble.

It felt like I'd touched a raw nerve.

"Vivian Taylor! What's your problem? Can't stand to see me happy?" Her voice rose sharply, the mockery in her eyes like shards of ice.

"You're marrying into your 'money,' and I can't find someone I like? I took time off to help you with the wedding venue, and this is how you repay me? With suspicion?"

She snatched her bag off the sofa and turned to leave.

The click of her high heels on the floor echoed like blows to my heart.

As the elevator doors closed, I saw the coldness in her eyes.

As if we'd never shared childhood candy.

Never huddled under one umbrella in a downpour.

Everything felt so alien.

By the time I chased her to the parking lot, only an empty wind swirled fallen leaves.

The hotel location sent by that mysterious account exploded in my mind, along with the suggestive "playtime tonight."

I didn't even grab a coat, just my car keys, I sped towards the hotel.

Pulling up to the hotel entrance, I spotted Serena's white sedan immediately.

Then, my breath stopped, like a hand had closed around my throat.

Because I saw Nathan Reynolds walk out through the revolving doors.

He was wearing the black trench coat I'd bought him for his birthday last year.

The night wind whipped it open, revealing the white dress shirt I'd chosen for him inside.

He pulled Serena into his arms and kissed her right there under the neon lights.

The motion was practiced, intimate gesture, one they'd clearly performed countless times.

Serena rose on her toes to meet him, her fingers hooking his collar.

She was smiling, her smudged lipstick on his chin a sight so painful tears instantly flooded my vision.

I clenched the steering wheel, my knuckles white, forgetting even the engine's rumble.

They kissed for what felt like forever before Nathan finally wrapped his coat tighter around her, his voice dripping with tenderness. "You cold? I told you to wear more."

Serena shook her head, her fingertip tracing his Adam's apple.

Her tone was full of triumph. "Your 'wifey'? Oh, I just throw a little tantrum and she let me walk right out."

"She cares about me more than anything, you know that."

Seeing their cozy scene, my eyes welled up again. Memories from over the years surged up, stabbing me like knives.

The first time Nathan told me about his past, we sat on the school rooftop.

"I hate cheaters. My mom ran off with my dad's best friend. Left me with my grandma."

Maybe it was because of his parents, but back then, he was incredibly good to me, treating me even like a princess.

He took a three-hour subway ride just to buy me a specific cake I was craving, coming back with mud caked on his shoes.

His eyes shining as he said, "Try it! I got them to add extra fruit jam, just how you like it."

On nights I was scared of thunder, he'd rush back from out-of-town business trips, raindrops still clinging to him, holding me close and whispering, "I'm here, don't be afraid."

But now, he stood at the hotel entrance.

Smiling at my best friend, saying the sweet nothings once reserved only for me.

My hand shook as I dialed his number.

I watched as he pulled the phone from his pocket.

Serena tried to grab it and hang up, but he dodged her.

His voice was hard. "I told you. I never ignore her calls."

He walked under a streetlight and answered, his voice softening into cotton-wool concern agin. "Sweetheart, What's up? Miss me?"

Tears splashed onto the phone screen, blurring his voice.

"Nathan," my voice trembled, betraying the ache I couldn't contain. "Do you love me?"

"Would you ever betray me?"

Silence hung on his end for a few seconds, then Serena's muffled groan.

Nathan's breathing grew heavier, but he kept lying. "Don't overthink it. I'll be back tomorrow. I bought you that necklace you liked."

He hung up abruptly.

I watched him wrap his arm around Serena and walk back into the hotel.

The shadow of his coat stretched long under the neon, like a wound that would never heal.

As dawn approached, they finally emerged.

Serena leaned against Nathan, her face still flushed.

His buddies surrounded them, laughing. "Serena cleans up nice! Not worse than Viv!"

"Nate, you sly dog! You had us all fooled!"

Serena playfully punched them. "Don't compare me to her. She's too delicate. Not like me, I can hang with you guys, drink, talk business."

Nathan didn't speak, just smiled.

He accepted their jokes, even reached out and ruffled Serena's hair C an intimate gesture, like lovers.

Then, Serena pulled open the passenger door.

That's my seat.

Nathan used to say, "This seat is only for my wife. No one else."

I couldn't take it anymore.

I shoved the car door open and charged at them.

My palm connected with Nathan's cheek in such a sharp crack.

"Nathan!" My voice was hoarse, my tears splashing on the pavement.

"Have you forgotten everything you said? Forgotten how you cried in front of me, saying 'I'll never betray you'?"

While he was still stunned, I slapped Serena across the face.

She screamed, lunging to grab me, but I dodged.

I yanked her hair, slamming her head against the car door.

"We're done!" My words were gritted out, syllable by syllable. Nathan Reynolds! I, Vivian Taylor doesn't want you anymore!"

The neon still flashed, but it couldn't illuminate the shattered promises.

Looking at their pale faces, I suddenly laughed.

Laughed until the tears flowed harder.

So the love I thought would never change...

In the end, was nothing but an elaborate lie.

Shattered in that first kiss under the hotel lights.

Shattered in the way they smiled at each other.

Shattered in the "happiness" I had painstakingly pieced together.