Chapter 2
Sofia's POV
At ten in the morning, I sat alone in the bridal suite at St. Mary's Church. Sunlight streamed through the stained glass windows, casting rainbow patterns across my white wedding dress. The woman in the mirror looked beautiful but utterly alone.
I'd barely slept last night, my mind replaying Richard's disgusting stare and Mom's cold words. But today was different. Today was my liberation day.
I'd hoped Mom might show up, maybe change her mind at the last minute. Instead, her tired voice came through the phone: "Sofia, I can't make it. Richard has an important business deal, and I need to go with him. You understand."
Understand? I gripped the phone until my knuckles turned white. "Mom, it's my WEDDING day!"
"I know, honey. But this deal is crucial for our family. Richard says if we miss it, we could lose a lot of money. You have people there—Todd's family will take care of you."
After hanging up, I stared at my reflection, fighting to keep tears from ruining my carefully applied makeup. She chose Richard. Again, she chose that man over me.
Maybe this was better. I forced myself to think this way. Today should belong only to Todd and me, no distractions.
I stood and smoothed the wrinkles in my dress. This pure white silk gown cost me three months' salary, but now it felt like armor for my new life.
A gentle knock came at the door.
"Baby, can I come in?" Todd's familiar voice called from outside.
I quickly wiped away the tears. "Of course."
The door opened, and Todd walked in wearing a perfect black tuxedo, carrying white roses like a fairy tale prince. The moment he saw me, his eyes lit up.
"Jesus, Sofia." He approached me, his voice full of awe. "You're so beautiful I can't breathe."
This is the reaction I wanted. My heart raced.
He moved behind me, placing his hands gently on my shoulders, looking at me through the mirror. "I know it's bad luck to see the bride before the ceremony, but I couldn't help myself. I had to tell you—you look absolutely perfect."
His touch was warm. I couldn't help leaning back into his embrace. "Thank you. You look handsome too."
Todd noticed the sadness in my eyes. "What's wrong? You don't look happy."
I took a deep breath. "Mom's not coming. Says Richard has important business and she has to go with him."
Todd immediately turned me around, cupping my face in his hands. "Oh, sweetheart. Maybe it's better this way. Today belongs to just us two—no one can interfere with our perfect moment."
He always knows what to say to make me feel better.
"Sofia," he looked deeply into my eyes, "starting today, I'm your only family. I'll give you a real home, real security. You'll never have to sacrifice yourself for anyone again."
I felt tears welling up again, but this time they were happy tears. "I've waited so long for this day."
Just then, Todd's phone rang. The sound was jarring in the quiet room.
Todd glanced at the caller ID, and his expression suddenly changed. He quickly declined the call.
"Work call?" I asked, noticing the flash of tension in his eyes.
"Yeah, bank bullshit." His voice sounded unnatural. "Nothing matters today except you."
The phone rang again. Same number. Todd declined it again.
"Todd, are you sure everything's okay? You look—"
"Everything's fine, baby." He cut me off, forcing a smile. "Just some client drama. I told my colleagues not to bother me today. Some people just don't listen."
"But—"
"Okay," he took my hands again, "nothing can disturb us now. Ready to become Mrs. Mitchell?"
I tried to ignore the unease in my chest. "Ready."
Todd kissed my forehead gently. "I'll be waiting at the altar. Let's start our new life."
At noon, I walked toward the altar alone. No father to escort me, no mother to adjust my train. Just me, and Todd waiting ahead.
The church was beautifully decorated. The scent of white roses and lilies filled the air, sunlight streaming through stained glass windows in rainbow patterns. When Todd saw me, tears filled his eyes.
This is what I wanted. Forget that strange phone call. Today I'm marrying the man I love.
We stood at the altar as the minister began reading the vows. Todd held my hands, his voice full of emotion.
"Sofia, I promise that no matter what challenges we face, I will always stand by your side. I will love you, protect you, and cherish you forever."
I looked at his handsome face, responding with a trembling voice, "Todd, you are my salvation. I give you my entire life, my whole heart."
The minister smiled. "If anyone objects to this union, speak now or forever hold your peace."
No one will object. Finally, no drama, no obstacles.
Then the church doors suddenly burst open with a deafening crash.
I turned to see a woman striding toward the altar. She wore a maternity dress, her belly visibly swollen, blonde hair gleaming in the sunlight.
Brittany. I recognized her—Todd's colleague. I'd met her a few times. What is she doing here?
"I OBJECT!" Brittany's voice echoed through the entire church. "I fucking OBJECT!"
Dead silence. Only my heart pounding like a drum.
"Because I'm carrying Todd's baby!" She triumphantly held up a paper. "Six months along!"
The world crumbled beneath my feet. Six months? That means... I turned to Todd, praying to see shock, denial.
But Todd's expression told me everything. Not shock, not confusion. Shame, fear, the look of a caught thief.
"Todd?" My voice sounded like it came from far away.
"Todd," Brittany continued, her voice dripping with malicious victory, "remember that night? In the bank break room? The night Sofia was working late until midnight?"
She turned to me, her eyes gleaming with cruel satisfaction. "Oh honey, want to know what he said about you that night? He said you were boring as hell in bed."
No no no no no. This can't be happening.
Those words hit me like bullets. Every sweet moment this morning, every promise Todd made, every gentle touch—all of it turned to poison flowing through my veins. This man I trusted had been laughing at me, using me while sleeping with his colleague.
Todd desperately tried to grab my hand. "Sofia, let me explain. This is just a misunderstanding—"
I yanked away from him. The wedding guests began whispering, their stares piercing me like daggers. I could feel their pity, judgment, and schadenfreude at my humiliation.
I've been betrayed by everyone. Every goddamn person.
"Sofia, listen to me," Todd's voice became frantic, "I love you. This baby doesn't matter. We can work through this—"
Doesn't matter? He called his unborn child a problem?
This casual cruelty made me sick.
"And all those nights he said he missed you," Brittany continued, "he was actually in my bed. While you were working yourself to death on night shifts at the hospital, we were fucking in his apartment."
Rage exploded in my chest. Enough. ENOUGH.
I grabbed the hem of my wedding dress and tore at it with savage force. The expensive white silk made a satisfying ripping sound.
"This goddamn wedding is OVER!"