I stepped outside, the sharp sting on my cheek barely registering. I didn’t care anymore—I was finished with all of it.
“Pam, wait!” Harold called desperately from behind me. He hurried to catch up, grabbing my wrist firmly. “Where are you going?”
I yanked my arm free and shot him a cold glare. “Far away from you.”
He scoffed, running his fingers through his hair in frustration. “You’re blowing this way out of proportion. You always do. You twist everything in your mind.”
I let out a harsh laugh. “Twist things? You slapped me, Harold.”
His jaw clenched tightly. “I—I didn’t mean to. You just—God, you frustrate me so much sometimes. You say things without thinking, accusing me of things that aren’t true.”
I crossed my arms. “Not true? You think I don’t notice how you act around Kate? The way she looks at you? How she was in my wedding dress today like some—” I exhaled bitterly. “Never mind.”
Harold sighed heavily, clearly exasperated. “You’re making this into something it’s not. Kate’s Jason’s fiancée. I have a responsibility to care for her. That’s it. She’s grieving.”
I stared him down without blinking. “You don’t treat a grieving fiancée like that. You treat her like—” I swallowed hard and shook my head. “Like she belongs to you.”
His lips parted but he stayed silent. That silence spoke volumes.
I turned to leave, but his voice stopped me cold. “You know what? Maybe this is your fault.”
I froze and slowly faced him again. “What?”
His eyes darkened. “You’ve been distant. Cold. Always assuming the worst of me. It’s like you want to push me away.”
I clenched my fists tightly. “I didn’t push you away, Harold. You did that yourself.”
His expression flickered—anger, guilt, frustration—and he shook his head. “I love you, Pam. I just… I got caught up in the moment. I shouldn’t have hit you.”
“No, you really shouldn’t have.”
He reached for me once more, but I stepped back. “I’m sorry,” he murmured softly. “Let’s just forget this ever happened. Let’s fix this.”
I stared at him, my heart pounding wildly. Then I exhaled and nodded slowly. “Okay.”
Relief washed over his face. “Okay?”
“Yeah.” I forced a small, empty smile. “Just leave me alone, Harold.”
In the days that followed, Harold tried to make amends—flowers, texts, apologies, hollow gestures.
But I saw through it all. Behind my back? He was still with Kate, whispering to her, smiling at her, touching her.
It didn’t matter anymore. The wedding was happening today. Everything was ready.
I sat before the mirror, perfectly composed as the makeup artist applied the last touches. My wedding gown was breathtaking—a flawless blend of grace and beauty.
Harold knocked and stepped inside. “You look stunning.”
I turned and offered him a faint, unreadable smile. “Thank you.”
“I’m heading to the venue first,” he said, glancing back. Behind him stood Kate, dressed in white. White, as if she were a bride, too.
I said nothing, just nodded.
Harold hesitated. “I’ll see you soon.”
He left with Kate trailing behind. I exhaled deeply and turned back to my reflection. Then, gathering my dress, I walked out—straight to the waiting limousine.
Not to Harold’s wedding. To my own, with Gavion.
Minutes later, my phone buzzed. Harold.
I ignored it. Another call came, then another.
I sat in the bridal suite until a knock on the door steadied my nerves. “It’s time.”
I stood, smoothed my dress, and walked out with my chin raised. The venue was not the one Harold expected—it was grand, elegant, filled with people who knew the truth and supported my choice. None of them were his. He had no control here.
As I reached the entrance, the soft music shifted.
Gavion waited at the aisle’s end, impeccably dressed in black. His expression was unreadable but carried a hint of amusement—he savored this moment, knowing Harold, his fiercest rival, was about to suffer a defeat beyond repair.
My phone buzzed again—Harold. I didn’t even glance at it. Instead, I met Gavion’s eyes and took my first step forward. By the time I reached the altar, my heart was steady, calm, ready.
Gavion smirked as he extended his hand. The officiant began speaking, but my attention drifted—imagining Harold’s realization that I was gone, the panic rising inside him.
My phone vibrated once more. Harold. Ignored again.
The vows were exchanged, the rings slid on fingers, and the officiant pronounced us husband and wife. I released a slow breath.
Without hesitation, I pulled out my phone.
Sent.
A single photo—Gavion and me, married, standing side by side.
The response was instant. My phone rang again. Harold. I smirked and opened our messages instead.
I typed in French: You can’t fool me anymore. I know you married Kate at the civil registry. Go ahead and marry her again—after all, you’re the father of her child, right?
Then, delivering the final blow, I added: I also know what you did to your brother.
I blocked him.
And with that, I turned away, slipping my hand confidently into Gavion’s arm.
