"You're going to report me to her now?" His voice darkened, his eyes burning with anger.
"No, Daniel, I would never. Mara is just..." Maria-Isabel tried to explain, but the mere mention of Mara's name sent him into a rage.
***
Mara walked into the room, excitement lighting up her face. She looked stunning in her silver low-cut dress, her hair elegantly pinned in a neat bun. Holding a bouquet in her hands, she moved gracefully, trying not to outshine the bride her best friend, Maria-Isabel. But with her striking figure and effortless charm, she was impossible to ignore.
"I have your bouquet now…" she began, her voice cheerful.
Then she stopped.
Halfway across the room, her steps faltered. The warmth in her expression of a bridesmaid faded, replaced by something colder confusion, and disbelief.
Her eyes darted to Maria-Isabel, and then to the man standing too close to her.
Daniel.
Her husband-to-be.
Mara stood frozen, gripping the bouquet so tightly her knuckles turned white. She had just watched Daniel's fingers tighten around Maria-Isabel's throat just for a moment, just enough to make a statement before he kissed her forehead and whispered,
"I will see you out there, my little princess." Then, with a smirk, he turned and walked out, completely ignoring Mara, as if she didn't even exist.
Mara's breath caught in her throat. Her mind raced, trying to process what she had just seen. The warmth of the room suddenly felt suffocating, and her stomach twisted in knots.
"Maria-Isabel Williams! What the hell was that?" Mara's voice rose, her heart pounding in her chest.
Maria-Isabel turned to her with a soft smile, as if nothing had happened. "What?" she asked, tilting her head slightly, showing no trace of fear or concern.
Mara's eyes widened in disbelief. "He ...he just Maria, he was choking you!"
Maria-Isabel let out a small, almost dreamy sigh and adjusted her veil. "Oh, Mara, it wasn't like that."
Mara's skin prickled with unease. "Not like that?" she echoed. "Maria, that man just put his hands around your throat, and you're about to marry him!"
Maria's smile didn't waver. "You don't understand," she said gently. "Daniel loves me. It's just… how he is."
Mara's heart shattered. This wasn't denial. This was something far worse.
Mara's blood boiled as she threw the bouquet onto the couch. Her voice shook with anger. "You are calling this wedding off right now!"
Maria-Isabel's expression hardened. She crossed her arms, standing her ground. "I will do no such thing," she said firmly. "I love Daniel, and he loves me too. You just misunderstood him. What you saw was nothing."
Mara let out a sharp, disbelieving laugh. "Nothing? Maria, you call that nothing? I know you, and I know that deep down, you don't believe that." Her voice softened for a moment, pleading. "I don't like Daniel for you. A man like him can't love anyone but himself."
Maria-Isabel turned away, fiddling with the lace of her wedding dress. "You don't understand," she whispered.
Mara stepped closer, her voice urgent. "No, Maria. You don't understand. I was right about him all along! You're ignoring every sign what more do you need to see?"
Maria-Isabel's lips pressed together, her face unreadable. For a moment, just a flicker of a second, Mara saw doubt in her friend's eyes. But then, just as quickly, it was gone.
"Daniel is my future, Mara," Maria-Isabel said finally, her voice hollow. "And nothing you say will change that."
Mara's breath caught in her throat. "You're wrong," she whispered, unable to believe the words coming out of her best friend's mouth.
Maria-Isabel's eyes burned with something Mara had never seen before resentment. "Why? Because he doesn't lust after you like everyone else?" she snapped. For the first time in ten years, Maria-Isabel didn't look at Mara with admiration or love. She looked at her with irritation, even anger.
Mara blinked, stunned. "What do you mean? Maria…" Her voice faltered. She should have been happy that Maria-Isabel was finally speaking her mind she rarely did. But not like this. Not filled with bitterness. Not defending a man who had just laid hands on her.
Maria-Isabel let out a shaky breath, her hands trembling as she clenched them into fists. "You've always had everything, Mara. Everyone liked you. You were the smart one, the pretty one. Every guy wanted you." She let out a bitter laugh, shaking her head. "Even Nathan… you knew I liked him, and you still made him fall for you like all the others."
Mara's chest tightened. "Maria, that's not true..."
Maria-Isabel cut her off. "Now, you're upset because my Daniel doesn't want you. He wants me. And you can't stand it, can you?" Her voice cracked, but she quickly swallowed the lump in her throat, forcing herself to stay composed. "Daniel was right. I was a fool to think you'd actually be happy for me."
She turned away, blinking rapidly to hold back tears. She couldn't cry. Not now. Not when she was moments away from walking down the aisle.
Mara stared at her, her heartbreaking not just for Maria-Isabel, but for their friendship. For everything they used to be.
"I was so happy for you, Maria until now. I just feel like you're making a big mistake. But who am I to you, anyway? It's your life, and you can share it with whoever you choose. I just hope I'm wrong because all I want is for you to be happy." Mara sighed, not wanting to argue anymore. She truly hoped she was wrong this time.
"Then be happy for me," Maria pleaded, hoping her best friend would still support her on this special day.
"I'm sorry. Come here." They hugged tightly, tears slipping down their cheeks.
"It's time," Maria-Isabel's mother interrupted. Then, noticing Maria's teary eyes, she frowned. "See? You made her cry."
"It wasn't my fault," Mara defended, forcing a smile. "Give me a minute, I'll fix her up." She wiped a single tear from her own eye before turning back to Maria.
"You girls better come out soon," Maria-Isabel's mother said before leaving the room.
Mara and Maria looked at each other and burst into laughter. Shaking her head, Mara picked up the makeup kit and gently retouched the bride's makeup.
"Alright," she said with a smile, "now you're ready."
Maria took a deep breath, steadied herself, and nodded. It was time for the ceremony.
Daniel stood at the altar with a wild smile, his eyes locked on Maria-Isabel as she walked down the aisle. His grip tightened around the edge of his suit jacket, excitement flickering in his gaze.
Maria smiled back at him as her hands trembled around the bouquet, her steps slow and hesitant. With every inch closer, her heart pounded harder, screaming at her to turn around and run.
Daniel's smile widened. He had won. She was his, forever.
As the ceremony went on, Mara couldn't take her eyes off the couple. At first, she told herself it was just nerves, but then she started noticing little things about Daniel that she hadn't before, which made her uneasy.
His grip around Maria's waist was too tight, almost possessive. To everyone else, it looked like love, a show of affection for his new bride. But to Mara, it felt different. Something about it didn't sit right.
Mara walked up to the couple and gently pulled Maria aside.
"Maria-Isabel, congratulations," she said, forcing a smile. This was supposed to be their graduation celebration, but Maria had changed the plan, choosing marriage over the future they once dreamed of.
"Thank you, Mara. I'm really happy you stayed," Maria replied, her voice warm but hesitant. She took a deep breath before adding, "But about Salvador…" She paused, searching for the right words to explain that her priorities had shifted.
Mara's heart sank. "What about Salvador? Don't tell me you changed your mind." She studied her friend's face, dreading the answer. "Are you really giving up your entire career for him?"
Though she had suspected it, hearing it aloud made it harder to accept.
"Daniel thought it would be best if we moved to Atlantic. It's close to his new job, and the countryside is quiet and peaceful," Maria explained, her voice soft with hesitation. "I'm sorry for changing our plans, but now Daniel is…" She trailed off, hoping Mara would understand.
Mara stared at her, struggling to find the right words. This wasn't just about a change of location it was about everything they had worked for, everything Maria had once wanted.
"Atlantic? That's miles away from the city, your family, and everyone you know. Don't you see what he is doing? He is separating you from everyone," Mara hopes to talk some sense to her.
"Stop. It was our decision," Maria insisted, but her voice wavered.
Mara's eyes narrowed as she watched her friend nervously grip her dress. She could see it now Maria was doing everything Daniel told her to do.
Taking a deep breath, Mara lowered her voice. "Maria, are you sure this is what you want?" Maria nods her head.
"If that's what you want," Mara said, her voice barely above a whisper. "Since you can't see it, I just wish you a happy married life." She swallowed hard before adding, "I'm leaving for Salvador tonight. I got the job."
Maria's heart sank. She could hear the pain in Mara's words, but she also knew Mara had already figured out the truth this wasn't really her choice.
Mara turned away, her heart heavy, and walked out of the wedding banquet. Maria watched her go, memories rushing back to the first time they met when they were just ten years old.
"You can lean on me from now on," young Mara had said, standing protectively in front of her. "I'll always protect you from those bullies."
And she had kept that promise until now.
Maria instinctively reached out, wanting to stop her, but before she could, Daniel appeared at her side. He had been watching them from a distance.
"That's my baby," he murmured, wrapping an arm around her. "You finally got rid of her." He pressed soft kisses against her cheek, oblivious to the turmoil in Maria's heart.
"Come on, don't cry, little princess," Daniel cooed, tilting Maria's chin up to meet his gaze. "You know why you had to let her go. She was a bad influence on you… and a temptress. You wouldn't want her trying to seduce me, right?" His voice was gentle, but his words were poison, weaving doubts into her mind.
Maria hesitated for a moment, the weight of her decision still lingering. But then she shook her head as if trying to clear the guilt away.
"No, Daniel," she whispered. "I love you. She can't take you from me."
With that thought, the guilt faded just enough. She had done the best thing for her marriage or at least, that's what she told herself.
After seeing off their guests, the newlyweds set out to begin their new life, away from everyone. Maria was willing to pay any price to be with Daniel he was everything she had ever wanted.
Her mother had lovingly arranged a luxurious hotel for their honeymoon, but Daniel had dismissed the idea.
"Dee, this isn't the way to the hotel," Maria said, noticing the unfamiliar route he was taking.
Without sparing her a glance, Daniel replied, "We're going to our new house."
Maria hesitated. "But baby, it's our honeymoon. My mother planned this with so much love. Wouldn't it be..."
"You're questioning my decisions now?" Daniel cut her off, his voice sharp. Then, without a second thought, he raised his hand and struck her.
For a moment, Maria sat frozen, stunned. Her heart pounded as the sting spread across her cheek.
Daniel had never hit her before.
Tears welled in her eyes, and as she stared at him in shock, Mara's words echoed in her mind.
Are you sure this is what you want?
"There you go again," Daniel scoffed. "I barely touched you." Then, as if catching himself, he sighed. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to."
He pulled off the highway and drove to a quiet, secluded spot. Unbuckling his seatbelt, he turned to Maria, his voice softer now. He cupped her face, kissing her gently as if that could erase what had just happened.
Then, a sudden chime broke the moment. A text.
Maria glanced at her phone. "It's Mara," she murmured, reaching for it.
Before she could open the message, Daniel snatched the phone from her hand and, without hesitation, tossed it out of the car.
"You're going to report me to her now?" His voice darkened, his eyes burning with anger.
"No, Daniel, I would never, Mara is just..." Maria tried to explain, but the mere mention of Mara's name sent him into a rage.
His hand struck her again, harder this time. Maria gasped, her mind spinning from the impact. Before she could process it, his hands were on her, rough and demanding, pulling her clothes.
She tried to push him away on the first thought but he was stronger. She wanted to scream, but if it would calm him down then that was what she had to do.
He was her husband.
She told herself to stay calm. She told herself this was love. That nothing he did could be wrong.
So she closed her eyes and let it happen. Daniel pulled away from her, exhaling heavily as he collapsed into the chair, lazily lighting a cigarette. Smoke curled around his face as he took a slow drag, his expression unreadable.
Maria-Isabel forced a smile, her lips trembling as she tried to convince herself that this was the romantic wedding night she had dreamed of. This was love, wasn't it? This was what she had fought so hard to defend.
A sharp click echoed through the air as Daniel flicked ash onto the floor. Then, his voice cut through the silence, cold and detached.
"Get dressed and get out of the car."
The words sent a shiver down her spine. Maria-Isabel flinched. The warmth, the tenderness she had convinced herself was real, vanished in an instant. His voice was sharp, commanding like a blade against her skin. She swallowed hard, gripping the fabric of her dress as reality crashed down on her like a wave.
This wasn't love. This was something else entirely. There she was in the middle of nowhere without her phone or any money