Chapter 2: Wedding Chaos

Laurel couldn't comprehend the shocking revelation. With her hands covering her mouth, she stumbled outside and began walking, unable to believe what she had just witnessed and heard. The betrayal stung even more because Andrew had chosen to cheat with her step-sister—one whom she hated.

She struggled to understand where she had gone wrong. Her love for Andrew had always been genuine, and she had dedicated herself to ensuring his happiness. Recalling the two years they had been together, she thought back to their initial dating days. Despite her reluctance, she agreed to date him to escape her foster family’s home life and eventually developed sincere feelings for him.

Now, the realization hit her—what did she expect? After all, it was her stepmother who had introduced them. She shouldn't have let her guard down; they were all up to no good.

Lost in deep thoughts, a horning car brought her back to reality. It was night now. She fell and began weeping loudly.

“Where do I go now? Where do I go? Why has the world decided to treat me this way? I’ve not had any peace of mind since birth, wh-?” she became speechless, as tears consumed her words.

She looked around and saw that she was now in an unknown place, and she burst into tears again. She was now looking tattered and was completely unaware of her surroundings. She was about to get up when she heard a voice,

“Laurel!” The voice cried out, rushing towards her.

She looked at the person, tears clouding her eyes. She wiped off her tears and looked properly, it was Rhett.

“You again! Please, not now.” Laurel muttered as she stood up with the support of Rhett.

“What’s going on? I’ve been calling your name for some time now. Are you okay?” Rhett asked in confusion.

Laurel shoved Rhett’s hand off her shoulders and began walking forward, unaware of where she was headed.

Rhett ran towards her, insisting “Do you even know where you’re going? Let me take you to my sister’s place.”

With uncertainty of where she was headed, Laurel turned back to Rhett “Lead me to your car.”

They headed to Anita’s place in silence and Laurel kept staring at the roadside, deep in her thoughts.

***

“I wonder what happened, she has refused to say anything to me,” Anita said to Rhett who was looking restless. “Thank you for bringing her here.”

Anita was still speaking when Laurel turned from the bed she was lying on, facing them. Tearfully, she explained everything she had recounted to Anita and Rhett, leaving the both of them in anger and shock.

“So what are you going to do?” Anita inquired.

After a few moments, Laurel broke the silence, “We’ll find out at the wedding.”

Surprised, Anita questioned, “What? You still want to go on with the wedding?”

Rhett crossed his arms at the doorway, listening intently.

“Let’s see how it goes, babe,” Laurel said, smirking.

***

It was Laurel’s wedding day.

She had pondered hard over the past few weeks on what to do to get back at Andrew and her step-sister, Clara. She decided that she was no longer going to be the same girl they knew, she was better than that. She didn’t deserve what they did to her. She had never hurt any of them in any way she remembers before, she didn’t commit a crime by being an orphan.

The wedding ceremony boasted a list of big influential figures, allies of the Caddel family company, Rhett and Anita’s family company included. Anita was present as Laurel’s best friend, and Rhett, of course, had to be there for his girlfriend’s sister’s wedding. There were other guests as well as Laurel’s step-mum friends and Clara’s friends, including different paparazzi.

Laurel walked alongside her foster father to the altar, smirking as she looked around at all the guests.

“What fake smiles you all have on today. You’re not ready for the drama I’m going to bring.” Laurel muttered, observing the crowd.

“Did you say something?” Laurel’s father, James inquired.

“No Dad, I’m just happy,” Laurel responded, masking her true intentions with a smile.

“Do you, Andrew Fisher, take this woman to be your lawfully wedded wife?” The Priest initiated the exchange of vows.

“Yes, I do,” Andrew replied with a smile.

Next, the Priest turned to Laurel and asked,

“Do you, Laurel Caddel, take this man to be your lawfully wedded husband?”

There was a long pause, causing murmurs in the crowd. Laurel smiled, looking at Andrew who had confusion written all over his face.

“No, I do not!”

Her declaration caused an uproar amongst the guests. Andrew, bewildered, asked, “What’s going on Laurel?”

“I do not take you as my husband!” Laurel shouted back at him.

Laurel, gazing at Andrew, tossed her wedding bouquet and ripped her wedding gown, creating a slit on her leg.

“Are you crazy?” Andrew screamed in disbelief.

“No, I’m not! You’re the crazy one, sleeping with my sister! Laurel retorted, leaving Andrew in complete shock.

The guests erupted into chaos, exchanging gossip. Clara rose from her seat and stood in total disbelief at what she had just heard.

Stepping down from the altar, Laurel walked purposefully towards a particular destination when someone stopped her.

“What did you just say? How dare you falsely frame me?” Clara snapped at Laurel.

Unhinged, Laurel responded, “Did I lie? I saw you having sex with my supposed fiancé on our bed! Don’t try to play innocent. Get out of my way!”

Laurel pushed Clara out of her way and continued walking towards her destination.

Reaching Rhett’s table, she stopped and began,

“As you already know, your girlfriend has been cheating on you with my fiancé, how about you marry me instead?” Laurel said and extended her hand to Rhett who was left speechless.

Laurel couldn’t read his expressions but all she could pray for was that he didn’t turn her down then and there. All of a sudden, Laurel received a thunderous slap from someone; she turned and it was her stepmother, Evelyn.

“How could you little wench frame your sister and go ahead to seduce her man on your wedding day? Have you no shame?” Evelyn exclaimed.

She was about to go for another slap when Rhett intervened.

“That’s enough! I’ll take Laurel with me from here.”