My Life's Only a Venture?

Bella

“Hey, the guests are waiting,” she said to me innocently and in the sweetest voice possible.

I couldn't believe her nerve. How she could walk in here, all pretty, and act like she didn't just stab me in the back several times. Not a speck of guilt.

“I'll be there in a minute,” I answered, trying to avoid her gaze so she wouldn't see my bloodshot red eyes from all the crying. I was unsuccessful.

“Are you alright?”

She tried to look at me from the side, stretching her neck.

“Yeah, I'm okay. Just a little something in my eyes. Where's Dad? I thought he was supposed to come walk me down the aisle.”

“Oh, right. I'll get him,” she said, walking out of the room and slowly closing the door.

I noticed her legs couldn't close as she walked. When you take in something that big, I guess that's what happens.

Dad walked in, looking very smart in his brand new black suit. I had never seen him in any of those, and even though they weren't as fitted as they should be, he looked great in them.

“You look so beautiful, my princess,” he declared as soon as he saw me seated in front of the mirror.

“Thanks,” I managed in a squeaky voice that seemed to have been caused by my endless crying.

“You look awesome too, Dad,” I continued, giving him a weak smile.

How didn't he notice my red eyes?

I stood up and walked towards him. He was smiling so broadly that one would think he was the one getting married. His smile warmed my heart.

He'll be so heartbroken when he finds out that the wedding will not take place. I had to fight back a tear that was threatening to fall out as I thought about the situation.

My parents were all so excited when they found out I was getting married to Hardin Rivera, the son of one of the biggest billionaires in the city.

Even though they had planned our first date, they were only hopeful that it was going to work out between Hardin and me.

Who wouldn't be? He's the “perfect” son-in-law.

I slipped my arms into his ready arms, and we walked out of the door to the outdoor venue.

I knew we had paid a great event planner for the ceremony, but I couldn't help but gasp at the beauty of the arrangements.

The betrayal of that day didn't take away from the magnificence of the flowers and the seat covers. It was breathtaking. It was such a shame that it would all go to waste.

I looked through my veil and saw my groom smiling sheepishly at me. I saw him lick his lips with his tongue, the same tongue he had used to circle my sister's nipples only a few minutes ago. He even threw Beth a wink!

I couldn't hide the disgust from playing out on my face as my face creased into a frown. I was thankful that no one saw it because of my veil.

My bridesmaids were already distributing the program booklet to the guests, and I smiled a little.

Hardin took my hands, and the ceremony began.

“Do you, Bella Johnson, take Hardin Rivera to be your lawfully wedded husband, as long as you both live?” The priest asked as he read the questions from the tablet he was holding.

I swallowed painfully before opening my mouth.

“I do,” I said confidently, and it was followed by a thunderous round of applause from the guests.

The priest asked Hardin the same question, and he answered affirmatively.

It was time for the vows, which we had published in the booklet.

Everyone had to turn to page eleven of the program booklet—the exact page on which I had carefully arranged the pictures.

In a moment, the atmosphere was filled with indistinct, continuous sounds from different angles. Some people took out their phones to take pictures, and the whole place was plunged into disarray.

My mother stood up abruptly as soon as she saw the pictures.

“What is this? Who did this?!” She shouted at no one in particular.

“I did!” I responded, removing my veil.

“I caught your daughter and my husband fucking each other in one of the guest rooms!” I shouted. My voice trembled, and my lips quivered as I spoke.

“They couldn't even wait till the ceremony was over.” I shot a cold stare at Beth and turned to Hardin.

Looking him straight in the eye, “Well, good riddance to bad rubbish!”

He covered his face with his two palms in shame.

“Explain this!” Dad shouted, throwing the booklet at Beth, where she was seated with her head bent down.

“I'm sorry,” she whispered.

“You're sorry?” I looked at her, ignoring the mucus that was already dripping freely. “You're not sorry, Beth! If you were sorry, you wouldn't have been fucking your own sister's man! You evil b*tch! I trusted you!” I charged at her, but I was held by my mother.

“Stop this!” She shouted as she ran to hold me from behind.

I shook myself free from her grip and walked into the house, my heels clacking away noisily as I moved. My parents followed briskly behind me, and I found consolation in the fact that they were on my side.

My mom came to sit beside me on the couch, where I lay down, crying. Holding my hands in hers, she said, “Sweetie, it's okay. I'm here for you. Stop crying. Let's go wash your face.”

“You're going to have to go and redo your makeup,” I heard my mother say sharply.

“What the fuck are you talking about?!” I shouted, raising my head up to look at her. “What do you mean, redo my makeup?”

“For the wedding,” she answered, her fingers running through my already-scattered hair.

“I don't understand,” I said, turning to face my dad with squinted eyes.

“What don't you understand?” Dad said it with a frown on his face.