ELENA'S POV
March 16th, Year 16. 10:50 a.m.
I stood before the dressing mirror, barely recognizing the woman staring back at me. My reflection wore a beautiful white gown — one I had rented with my own money. Julian said he'd invested all his savings "for our future."
But now, as I adjusted the delicate veil resting on my head, I couldn't help but wonder…. Was that future meant for us or for him and Vanessa?
My heart felt heavy. The dream I had earlier lingered like smoke in my mind. Was it just a nightmare, or was fate trying to warn me? The thought made my stomach tighten.
"Girlie? Girlie?" Vanessa's cheerful voice broke my thoughts.
I blinked and looked at her reflection in the mirror. She stood behind me, beaming as usual.
"What are you thinking about?" she asked, stepping closer.
I hesitated. "…."
"Elena? You weren't listening to me again, were you?"
"Hmm… I was just wondering."
"About?"
"Does the veil fit right? Do I… look nice?"
Vanessa laughed softly, placing her hands on my shoulders. "What do you mean? You look ravishing! Julian won't be able to take his eyes off you. Now come on. Everyone's waiting."
She grabbed my hand, and we walked together down the hallway. Her fingers felt warm around mine, but after a few steps, her grip loosened, slipping away as quietly as a secret.
I didn't say anything. I just kept walking, holding my bouquet in one hand and the hem of my dress in the other.
Then... her phone rang.
I froze. That ringtone… I knew it too well. It was Vanessa's. She pulled out her phone quickly, glancing at the screen before stepping a few paces away from me.
"Alright," she said into the receiver, her tone soft and hurried. Then she hung up, tucked the phone away, and turned back to me with a bright, flawless smile.
"Elena dear," she said sweetly. "Could you wait for me in the lounge area? I just need to handle something real quick. I'll be back before you know it."
"Alright," I replied hesitantly. "I hope it's nothing serious?"
"Of course not!" she giggled, stepping closer. "Just turn left and walk straight. You won't miss it."
I nodded. Like a fool or perhaps, like the obedient friend I'd always been. Her words from my dream echoed through my mind, clear and cruel:
'And Elena, while I told you to wait for me in the lounge area, Julian and I were having our last time together as cheaters… moaning sweetly in the room where you did your makeup…'
A chill ran down my spine. I turned and walked away slowly. The hall felt endless, and my heartbeat grew louder with every step.
By the time I reached the lounge, a dull ache had started behind my head. I pushed open the door, stepped inside, and sank onto the sofa.
My pulse was frantic, my chest tight. The room was quiet, but my thoughts screamed.
Minutes passed- maybe ten- before I couldn't take it anymore. I stood abruptly, clutching my dress, and whispered to myself,
"No… I need to see for myself."
The dream's words rang louder, clearer, as if something inside me was pulling me toward the truth.
My footsteps echoed down the corridor as I approached the makeup room. The door was slightly ajar. I slowed down, peeking through the narrow space and the moment my eyes fell inside, my breath caught in my throat.
It was exactly as I'd seen.
The whispers, the sounds, the betrayal — real, tangible, and merciless.
My body trembled. My vision blurred with tears. I wanted to burst in, to scream, to tear down everything I'd built my life around. But what good would it do? The truth was already carved into my heart.
Quietly, I turned away and walked off, each step heavier than the last.
*****
Hours later, I stood outside Qrate Bank, clutching a small bag filled with cash — everything I had left. Less than a hundred thousand farqus.
I'd invested most of my money into Julian's dreams, into his so-called "business plans."
Into him.
And now, I realized that I had only funded my own heartbreak.
I scrolled through my phone. Missed calls and all of them were from Julian and Vanessa. Or perhaps I should call them Mr. and Mrs. Styles now.
Their names glared back at me from the screen. My fingers trembled, and I locked my phone before I could fall apart again.
I had nowhere to go. No family I could face, no friends to turn to. Only one name came to mind. One person who might help me understand the strange dream that had come true.
I took a deep breath, lifted my bag, and whispered to myself,
"Tsep State. I'll start there."
I didn't know what was waiting for me but I knew this much: I was done being broken.