ONE
INFIDELITY AND BETRAYAL
Rose
The limousine glidesto a stop outside the church. I step out on unsteady legs. My dad is waiting for me at the entrance, smiling proudly. I take a few deep breaths trying to calm myself, then walk over. Looking up at the heavy clouds, I frown. “I hope it doesn’t rain on my wedding day,” I murmur to Kayla, my best friend and maid of honor, who’s by my side. We’ve been inseparable for five years, but today she seems distant. I expected support from my bridal party, not this... detachment.
My hands are shaking while I hold the bouquet. “I’m so nervous,” I mutter.
Kayla steps behind me, adjusting the train of my dress.
“Thank you,” I say with a small smile. But she doesn’t smile back. Instead, tears well in her eyes.
Soft music plays inside the church, signaling that it’s time. “Come on, Kayla, you’re up,” my dad says, his voice gentle but firm.
She abruptly shakes her head, and my heart accelerates.What’s wrong?
“Hold on, Dad,” I say to him, my voice tight with unease. I pull Kayla aside, my pulse quickening. “What’s going on?”
Tears spill down her cheeks as she pulls her arm away. She walks away, so I follow her until she stops and turns.
“I begged him to tell you, but he wouldn’t.”
I tilt my head as confusion settles in. “Who are you talking about?”
“Tyler . . .” she whispers.
I freeze. “What hasn’t he told me?” My voice is sharp with panic.
“He...” she stammers, her lip trembling. “He’s been having an affair with me... for the past year.”
I inhale sharply and clutch my chest as if trying to hold my heart together. The weight of her words crashes into me, and I stumble back.
“Rose, what’s going on, sweetheart?” Dad asks with concern. He’s out of earshot.
With tense muscles and heart pounding, I take a good look at Kayla. She was supposed to be my best friend, and she betrayed me. “You bitch!” I scream. “How dare you! Pretending to be my best friend while screwing my fiancé?”
I’m not marrying Tyler. Not now.
Dad gasps.
Kayla stands there with slumped shoulders, her face streaked with tears. “I deserve that...” she says quietly.
She deserves so much more.
I force myself to look at my dad. “Can you get me my bag? It should be with Mom?” I need to get out of here; the pain is heavy... suffocating... nauseating.
“Are you sure?” he asks, his brows furrowed with worry.
I nod, blinking rapidly, forcing the tears to stay put. “Please, Dad.” My voice is raw.
He nods and walks into the church. I hear the light chatter inside. Seeing my dad walk in first at my wedding has people talking.
“You were supposed to be my best friend.” My voice is tortured but has an edge of rage. “How could you two do this to me?”
Her shoulders sag further, but I feel no sympathy for her. “It just happened,” she says weakly. “And then we couldn’t stop.”
The thought of those two together makes me flinch. I want to vomit.
