I felt a wave of nausea hit me. So that’s what this was all about! All this time, I thought I was the one helping Darren get ahead, but really, he’d been using me the whole time. And now, here he was, planning to marry Amber, showing off his connection to a successful, well-known entrepreneur.
Inside, the chatter was nonstop. I scanned the crowd, spotting familiar faces from my past. Everyone was here for Amber, all here to watch her step into a new life with Darren. I hung back near the back, unnoticed at first.
Amber stood under the big banner, glowing in her white wedding gown. The crowd buzzed around her, all excited and envious.
“Amber, you’ve outdone yourself! Marrying Mr. Herault? And here of all places?! Wow.”
“I can’t believe you kept this a secret! The CEO of the International Group of Companies! What a match.”
“Our little Amber, finally making it to the top. Don’t forget us when you’re a high-society queen!”
Even our old high school science teacher, Wilma Rudolph, was there, practically gushing. “Amber, I always knew you were destined for big things. That’s why I never pressured you in class. I mean, a girl like you doesn’t need grades when she has natural charm!”
Amber was loving it, smiling bigger with every compliment, looking like she was the star of a Hollywood movie.
I stayed at the back, bitterness swirling inside me as I clenched my purse. Amber’s words from the live stream replayed in my mind, and now seeing her, acting all perfect, only made my blood boil.
I wasn’t going to make a scene—at least, not yet. I needed to stay calm.
But staying calm was harder than I thought.
As I moved closer, the atmosphere shifted. The people who’d been fawning over Amber just seconds ago now turned their attention to me, their faces twisting from curiosity to disdain.
One of Amber’s little followers stepped forward, her eyes darting to the black sports car parked behind me. She sneered. “Elliana, really? Renting a luxury car to show off at Amber’s wedding? That’s desperate, even for you! Pff.”
The others joined in with their mocking comments.
“No wonder you’re here. Trying to steal the spotlight, huh?”
“Let me guess— you borrow it from a friend.”
“Some people just don’t know when to quit. As if pretending to be rich can ever compare to Amber’s real-life fairytale!”
I held my ground, not letting their words get to me. “It’s not borrowed,” I said, keeping my tone calm. “It’s my car.”
The group fell silent for a moment, their faces unreadable.
Then Amber’s voice cut through the air. “Your car? Huh!”
I barely had time to react before her hand swung through the air and slapped me across the face. The sting was instant, my cheek burning from the hit.
Amber’s face twisted with rage. “Don’t you dare lie to me! That’s Darren’s car—my fiancé’s sports car!”
The crowd gasped. Whispers rippled through the room.
“I knew Darren was seeing someone behind my back,” Amber spat. “But I didn’t think it was you, bitch! You shameless tramp! Driving his car to my wedding? Are you here to taunt me?”
That was it. I couldn’t keep quiet anymore. I straightened up, locking eyes with Amber. “Amber,” I said, my voice steady, “you might want to think carefully before making accusations you can’t back up.”
Her nostrils flared. “Accusations?! You’ve been sneaking around with Darren behind my back, haven’t you? Admit it!”
I took a slow, deep breath, ignoring the murmurs around me. The crowd was hanging on every word like they were watching a reality show.
“Amber, is that really Mr. Herault’s car?” someone gasped, voice full of disbelief.
Amber just smirked, chin up in that smug way she always did when she had something to flaunt. “Of course, it’s his!” she said, acting like it was the most obvious thing in the world. “Why would I lie about something so clear? It's my Darren's car!”
Then, with exaggerated flair, she pulled out her phone and started scrolling through pictures of her and Darren, all smiles and posing together in the car, showing off their ‘perfect’ relationship. There were shots of them laughing, cuddling up, and, of course, photos of Darren proudly standing next to *his* sports car.
“No way… It really is Mr. Herault's car! So, Elliana must’ve been the one messing around with him all along!”
Amber’s face twisted, her eyes narrowing at me. “I knew it!” she snapped, her voice full of hate. “You were always playing the other woman, weren’t you?”
People started muttering, all eyes on me now. It felt like the whole world had turned against me.
“I can’t believe this! Elliana always acted like she was better than everyone, and now we find out she was sneaking around behind Amber’s back?” someone whispered loud enough for me to hear.
“Ms. Elliana Rosewood! I always thought you were the quiet, mysterious type. Guess that was just an act!” even my science teacher added, full of disgust.
A third voice joined in, “She’s been showing off that luxury car everywhere, and now it all makes sense. She's just another woman trying to latch onto Darren for his money!”
