Betrayed at the Altar

Cassian and I had been together for two years and were married for three. He promised me a grand wedding, but at the very moment we were meant to say our vows, he left me standing there. It was all because his former love, Scarlett, had supposedly fallen gravely ill, and he felt compelled to be by her side in her final days. What Cassian didn’t know was that Scarlett's medical records were fabricated, and the funeral he was invited to attend mourned my ashes instead.

Today was supposed to be our wedding day, the day I had anticipated for five years. Dressed in an immaculate Victorian-style gown, I slowly walked toward Cassian. Just as we looked into each other’s eyes, ready to exchange rings, his phone rang. I glanced at the caller ID and instinctively tightened my grip on Cassian’s wrist. Despite this, he brushed it all aside and interrupted the ceremony to take the call. On the other end was Scarlett, Cassian's former flame, crying desperately.

After the call ended, Cassian turned to me and said, "I can't marry you today. Scarlett is sick, and I’m afraid something might happen if she's alone." With that, he hurriedly left, and I couldn't catch up with him no matter how hard I tried. The guests were abuzz with confusion and speculation.

“What just happened? Why did the groom run off?”

“The ceremony’s not even finished. Is the wedding canceled?”

“Did he get cold feet at the last minute?”

As I listened to the murmurings, tears streamed down my face uncontrollably. I forced myself to keep it together and told everyone, “The groom had to leave because of an emergency. Please enjoy the food and drinks, and have a great time.”

The host looked at me, wanting to say something but choosing to stay silent, continuing with the raffle as planned. Even before the reception was over, news of Cassian’s disappearance was already splashed across the front pages back home. I held back my tears until the very end of the reception. Watching the slideshow of our memories on the big screen, my heart sank into an abyss.

Scarlett was the one who always seemed just out of reach for Cassian. If she hadn’t followed her wealthy boyfriend overseas all those years ago, Cassian might have never noticed me standing quietly by his side. After five years together, three of which we were married, I believed we would continue to love each other deeply.

That was until three months ago when I suddenly couldn’t bear the crippling stomach pain and went to get checked at the hospital. Years of hard work took their toll, and my stomach was a mess. The diagnosis of terminal stomach cancer hit me like a bolt from the blue, robbing me of all motivation. I begged Cassian to move up our wedding date. I wanted to create the most beautiful memories in what little time I had left.

Cassian promised me the grandest wedding imaginable. He fulfilled that promise. The decorations were lavish, all in my favorite shades of pink and white, and my wedding gown was a rush order from a renowned international designer. Yet, his enduring affection for Scarlett was something destiny couldn't compete with.

This time, I had lost completely. No matter how much time passed, a single call from Scarlett would send Cassian running. Overwhelmed with sadness, my stomach hurt so much I could barely stand straight.

On the way to the hospital, the taxi driver, Connor, noticed the beads of sweat on my forehead and asked with concern, “Don’t you want someone close to go with you?”

I shook my head and replied, “No, I can manage.” I didn’t know how to explain that my family was fractured, that they didn’t even want to attend my wedding.