I knew exactly what he was trying to do—provoke me and get under my skin.
But this time, Brandon's games didn’t matter. He no longer had any power over me, and I wasn’t going to fall for his lies again.
Calmly, I sent him a single message. [Brandon, let’s break up.]
He shocked me by replying instantly. [Serena, who do you think you are? You don’t get to break up with me!]
[Don’t forget, you’re filthy to begin with. I’ve used you for seven years for free. A woman like you—who’d want you after me? Even your own mother probably despises you!]
As expected, he had forgotten what today was.
Seven years ago, on this very day, he made me promise. Back then, he pulled me out of despair, telling me. "Seven years. That’s how long it takes for every cell in the body to regenerate—a complete renewal. I’ll be with you for those seven years. When you’ve let go of the past, let go of all those painful memories, we’ll get married."
But seven years passed in the blink of an eye, and he had long forgotten his vows.
It didn’t matter, though. Brandon was never my salvation. He was just a heartless opportunist who preyed on my vulnerability.
The seven years were over. The past, the hurt, and the illusions were now nothing but fleeting shadows.
I wiped away the last trace of tears, concealed them with makeup, and placed the veil over my head. Stepping into the wedding car, I was ready to leave it all behind.
Rose petals floated gently along the road as the car carried me toward a new beginning.
As we passed by the place I’d lived for seven years, I saw Brandon and Karina walking hand in hand along the street.
Our eyes met across the distance, just for a moment.
In that fleeting glance, his expression shifted from disdain to shock.
He let go of Karina’s hand and began running after the car.
“Serena!”
His voice grew louder, more desperate with each call.
I watched him stumble, fall, and scramble back up, his figure becoming smaller and blurrier.
He, along with our past and the years we spent together, was left far behind.
I was moving forward, toward something new and untainted.
His cries, along with all the pain and humiliation, disappeared into the wind.
Ahead of me was a path lined with roses and a red carpet—a road to a new chapter.
When the car stopped, my mother was already waiting. Seeing me step out in my wedding dress, her eyes glistened with tears.