"So being sick gives her the right to hurt others?"
"Elliot, we’re done. We’re not bound to each other anymore. Don’t touch me."
"I wish you both a lifetime of happiness. Goodbye."
The finality in my voice echoed between us as I turned away, feeling the weight of his eyes burning into my back.
Like an enraged lion, Elliot lunged at me, his grip tightening around my throat.
"Leah, if you walk out that door today, you’ll be condemning Tessa to her death."
"I won’t let that happen."
"You’re going to be the bridesmaid today, whether you like it or not."
He shot a cold, commanding glance at the attendants. "Ten thousand dollars each. Get her into the dress."
Greed gleamed in their eyes as they grabbed me, pulling me into the dressing room and forcing the bridesmaid dress over my body.
Tessa stood nearby, her smile like that of a triumphant queen. She dipped her head slightly, her voice dripping with saccharine sweetness. "Leah, thank you. Your blessing makes me so much happier."
But Elliot, his voice thick with disdain, sneered. "Tessa, why are you thanking her? This is what she owes you."
They forced me into a seat, making me a spectator to their twisted wedding ceremony.
Though I had already made up my mind to end everything with Elliot, the sting of humiliation still made tears well up in my eyes.
I overheard one of his friends whispering to him, "Elliot, isn’t this a bit much for Leah?"
Elliot’s response was cold, dismissive. "It’s fine. Leah loves me. I’ll explain it to her later."
Of course, he knew how deep my love ran.
That’s why he had no qualms about repeatedly shattering me.
But what he failed to realize was that my love for him had dried up and faded into nothing.
On stage, they exchanged rings and shared a kiss, a scene that felt like acid to my soul.
I stared at them, numb, only realizing too late when my tears had fallen and mingled with the bitter taste in my mouth.
Tessa had always been Elliot’s unreachable "white moonlight," the one he’d worshipped from afar.
He’d chased her for years, but she’d always kept him at arm’s length.
It wasn’t until she left for abroad that he finally allowed himself to accept my love.
I had thought he was over her. But now, it was clear he had only used me to numb his pain.
When Tessa returned and discovered Elliot was engaged to me, she fell into a deep depression.