The sunlight streamed through the wide bay windows of the bridal suite, casting golden rays over the ornate mirrors and white satin gowns draped across the room. The soft hum of classical music mingled with the rustle of dresses and the murmured excitement of bridesmaids bustling about. Emily Parker stood still in front of the mirror, her breath catching in her throat as she took in her reflection. The woman staring back at her looked like a fairytale bride, delicate lace hugged her figure, the intricate beadwork sparkling with every slight movement. Her long curly blonde hair was swept into a soft chignon, a few strands framing her face. Today was supposed to be perfect.
She exhaled softly, running her fingers over the lace of her dress, feeling the intricate pattern beneath her touch. Ryan Steele. Even thinking his name made her heart flutter. She imagined him waiting for her at the end of the aisle, his tall, imposing frame draped in a sleek black tuxedo, his eyes, cold to the rest of the world softening just for her.
"You look like a princess," her best friend and maid of honor, Sophie, whispered, coming up behind her.
Emily smiled, though a flicker of doubt gnawed at the edges of her excitement. She had waited for this day, dreamt of it since the moment Ryan had slipped that dazzling engagement ring onto her finger, promising her a future of love, wealth, and security. Yet, in the weeks leading up to the wedding, something had shifted in him, something distant and guarded, as though a heavy burden weighed on his mind. She had brushed it off as pre-wedding nerves. After all, Ryan was a billionaire with a corporate empire to manage. She convinced herself he simply had more on his plate than most grooms.
"You think?" Emily replied softly, her eyes meeting Sophie's in the mirror.
"Think? I know," Sophie teased, her blonde curls bouncing as she adjusted the veil on Emily's head. "Ryan is going to be blown away. You're stunning."
Emily's lips curved into a smile, but deep inside, unease flickered again. She hadn't seen Ryan all morning, though she had expected at least a text from him. She was used to his silence when he was stressed or consumed by work, but this was different. She hadn't been able to shake the sense that something was brewing beneath the surface, something he wasn't telling her.
Her phone buzzed on the vanity, pulling her from her thoughts. She glanced at it, expecting a sweet pre-wedding message from Ryan. Instead, it was Victor Steele, Ryan's estranged brother. Her stomach twisted, the sense of foreboding creeping in again. She hadn't spoken to Victor in months he had always been distant, cold even. His relationship with Ryan was strained, though she never fully understood why.
Victor: We need to talk. It's important.
Emily frowned, her fingers hovering over the screen. She had no time for Victor's cryptic messages, not today.
"Everything okay?" Sophie asked, noticing her change in expression.
Emily quickly put the phone face down on the table, shaking her head. "Just nerves, I think."
Sophie squeezed her shoulders gently. "Nerves are normal, Em. This is the biggest day of your life."
Emily forced a smile, trying to push away the gnawing sensation in her chest. Sophie was right. Today was the day she would marry Ryan. Nothing could ruin that.
---
The ceremony venue was a grand ballroom, its vaulted ceilings and crystal chandeliers reflecting the light in a way that made everything sparkle. Rows of impeccably dressed guests filled the pews, all of them awaiting the bride's entrance. Emily stood just outside the closed double doors, her heart pounding with anticipation. This was it, the moment she had been waiting for.
The wedding march began to play, and the heavy doors swung open. Emily stepped forward, her veil draped elegantly over her face, the lace hem of her dress gliding across the floor. Every eye was on her, but her gaze was fixed solely on Ryan.
He stood at the altar, his dark hair neatly styled, his broad shoulders rigid beneath his tailored suit. But as she moved closer, something about his expression gave her pause. His jaw was set, his face pale. His piercing blue eyes weren't filled with the warmth she had hoped to see, but with something else, something she couldn't quite place. Anxiety? Fear?
Her steps faltered for a moment, but she quickly regained her composure. It's just the nerves, she told herself again, willing the doubt to disappear.
She reached the altar, standing before him, her heart pounding in her ears. For a brief moment, their eyes locked, and she saw something flicker in his, regret. A cold chill ran down her spine, but before she could speak, the minister began the ceremony.
"Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today to witness the union of Emily Parker and Ryan Steele in holy matrimony…"
Ryan barely seemed to be paying attention, his jaw tight as though he was holding back something urgent. Emily's hands trembled slightly as she held her bouquet. She tried to meet his gaze again, but Ryan looked away, his focus shifting to something behind her. She followed his line of sight but saw nothing out of the ordinary just the guests, watching with eager anticipation.
And then, her worst fear materialized.
Ryan's phone buzzed.
At first, Emily thought he would ignore it, like any decent groom would during the most important moment of his life. But Ryan's hand moved to his pocket, and in one swift motion, he glanced at the screen. His expression hardened.
"Ryan?" Emily whispered, her voice barely audible above the murmur of the crowd. He didn't answer.
Without a word, Ryan stepped back, his eyes wide and filled with a mix of fear and determination. The guests shifted in their seats, a murmur of confusion rippling through the room.
Emily's heart seized in her chest. "Ryan, what's going on?" she asked, her voice shaky now, panic creeping in.
Ryan's phone buzzed again, louder this time, an ominous sound cutting through the silence of the room. Emily could see the beads of sweat forming on his forehead, the tension in his stance.
"Emily," Ryan finally said, his voice low and strained. "I—I'm sorry. I have to go."
The world stopped. Emily blinked, unable to process his words. "What?" Her voice was barely a whisper, disbelief paralyzing her.
"I'm sorry," Ryan repeated, his tone more urgent now, his eyes locked on hers for just a moment longer. And then, he turned, walking swiftly toward the exit, leaving a stunned silence in his wake.
Emily stood frozen, the bouquet slipping from her fingers and hitting the floor with a soft thud. The guests erupted into murmurs, confusion spreading like wildfire. Her heart pounded in her chest, her vision blurring as reality sank in. He was gone. He had left her at the altar.
"No," she whispered, stepping forward, as if she could will him to return. "Ryan, wait!"
But he was already gone. The heavy doors closed behind him, and with them, her entire world collapsed.
---
Emily sat in the bridal suite hours later, her veil discarded, her wedding dress wrinkled and stained with tears. She stared blankly at the ornate mirror, the reflection of a woman she no longer recognized. Her phone buzzed on the vanity again, Victor's name flashing on the screen. She ignored it.
There were no answers, no explanations, only the suffocating weight of betrayal. The man she had loved, trusted, and planned a future with had left her. And she didn't know why.
The silence of the room was deafening, broken only by the sound of her ragged breathing. Somewhere deep inside her, the perfect day she had dreamt of for so long shattered, leaving behind only jagged pieces.
But even as the despair settled in, something else began to stir within her, an ember of resolve. She would find out why.
Ryan Steele might have broken her heart, but Emily Parker wasn't done with him yet.