Chapter 2
I stared at my reflection in the mirror.
My eyes were swollen from crying all night.
But today…
I wasn't going to cry.
I slowly wiped my tears and picked up the red dress.
"If you love me… don't come tomorrow."
Arif's words echoed in my head.
I let out a cold laugh.
Love?
He lost that right the moment he chose my sister.
I wore the dress carefully, applying makeup to hide the pain.
If I was going to break…
I'd break beautifully.
—
The wedding hall was filled with lights, laughter, and music.
Everyone looked happy.
Except me.
I stepped inside.
And for a moment—
Everything went silent in my ears.
There he was.
Arif.
Standing beside my sister like nothing ever happened.
Like I never existed.
My chest tightened, but I forced myself to walk forward.
One step.
Two steps.
Then his eyes met mine.
Shock.
Pure shock.
Good.
He wasn't expecting me.
I smiled.
Not the soft smile he once loved—
But a sharp, dangerous one.
My sister waved at me happily.
"Hey! You came!"
Of course I did.
How could I miss this?
I walked closer.
Arif looked pale.
"Nadia… why are you here?" he whispered.
I tilted my head slightly.
"Why? Am I not invited to my own sister's wedding?"
His jaw tightened.
"You shouldn't be here."
I leaned closer and whispered back—
"But I am."
Before he could say anything, someone handed me a mic.
"Say something for the couple!"
Perfect.
This is exactly what I needed.
I turned to face the crowd.
Hundreds of eyes on me.
I took a deep breath.
Then smiled sweetly.
"I just want to say…"
I paused.
Arif's eyes were begging me to stop.
I ignored it.
"…this wedding is truly special."
Everyone clapped lightly.
I looked straight at him.
Because the groom…
Used to be mine.
Gasps spread across the hall.
Silence fell.
And just like that—
The perfect wedding started to crack.