Chapter 5: The Price Of One Mistake

Stella POV

Eight years ago*****

I stood in front of my mirror, running my fingers across the delicate lace of my wedding gown. It hugged my figure perfectly, a masterpiece of craftsmanship. The reflection staring back at me felt like a dream—a woman deeply in love and ready to step into a new chapter of her life. The diamond ring on my finger sparkled, catching the golden light streaming through the windows. It wasn’t just a piece of jewelry; it was a promise of forever with Eric Ashford, the man who had stolen my heart. The man of my dreams. 

I turned to Juliet, my personal nanny and confidante since childhood, unable to keep the smile off my face. Juliet had been more than a caretaker; she had been my rock, the one person I could trust when the world felt too big and the sister I never had. 

“Juliet,” I said, gripping the fabric of my gown, “can you believe it? I’m finally getting married tomorrow.”

Juliet’s kind eyes shimmered with pride. She reached out and tucked a stray blonde curl behind my ear, the same way she used to when I was a little girl. “You deserve this happiness, Stella. Eric is a lucky man. He’s everything you’ve ever wanted.”

And I believed her. Eric was kind, thoughtful, and steady in a way that made me feel safe. He’d been patient, understanding the demands of my upbringing and the expectations of my father, yet he’d always treated me like I was enough. For a brief moment, everything felt perfect. I had the man of my dreams, a life of luxury waiting for me, and a future filled with promise.

But life has a cruel way of shattering perfection.

The night before the wedding, my friends decided to throw a party to celebrate my last night as a single woman. I hesitated, knowing parties weren’t my scene. I preferred quiet nights at home, curled up with a good book. But they were relentless, insisting that I deserved one night to let loose.

“Come on, Stella,” my best friend, Fiona, coaxed. “It’s your last night of freedom. You can’t sit at home and play the perfect bride forever.”

I laughed it off, thinking one night wouldn’t hurt. “Okay, fine,” I said, giving in. “One drink, though. That’s all.”

The glitzy club downtown was a cacophony of loud music, blinding lights, and people packed so tightly I could barely breathe. My friends laughed and danced, urging me to join them. At first, I sipped my drink cautiously, feeling out of place.

“You’re so boring, Stella,” Fiona teased, handing me another glass. “It’s your night! Live a little.”

One drink turned into two, then three. The alcohol dulled my senses, and the world became a kaleidoscope of colors and sounds. Faces blurred together, voices overlapped, and the once-distant music now pulsed through my veins. My head felt light, and for the first time in a long time, I stopped thinking about the weight of my responsibilities.

But somewhere between the laughter and the haze, things took a turn.

I vaguely remembered someone grabbing my arm, leading me away from the chaos. My legs felt heavy, my mind clouded. The stranger’s face was indistinct, a shadow in the blur of neon lights.

When I opened my eyes, my head pounded like a drum. The sunlight streaming through the curtains was harsh, burning my eyes. I squinted, trying to orient myself, but the room was unfamiliar. Panic began to set in as I registered the silk sheets beneath me and the faint scent of cologne in the air.

I turned my head slowly, praying I was wrong. But there he was—a stranger, lying next to me. His dark hair was tousled, his bare chest rising and falling with steady breaths. My pulse raced as the reality of the situation slammed into me. I was laying naked on the bed with my clothes scattered on the floor. 

What had I done?

I bolted upright, clutching the sheet to my chest as if it could protect me from my shame. My clothes were scattered across the floor, a damning reminder of the night before. My stomach churned, and bile rose in my throat.

I had to get out.

Quietly, I slipped out of bed, my heart pounding in my ears. Each step toward the door felt like walking on shards of glass. I grabbed my dress from the floor, fumbling as I slipped it back on. My hands shook so badly I could barely zip it up.

As I reached the door, I risked one last glance at the stranger. He stirred slightly but didn’t wake. Relief flooded through me as I slipped out into the hallway, my breath coming in shallow gasps.

The fresh air outside hit me like a slap, but it didn’t wash away the guilt clinging to my skin. I flagged down a cab, tears streaming down my cheeks. The driver gave me a curious glance in the rearview mirror but said nothing as I fumbled with my phone.

Missed calls and texts flooded the screen—my father, Eric, my friends. My heart sank as I checked the time. It was my wedding day.

The realization hit me like a freight train. I had betrayed Eric in the worst way possible, and I couldn’t even remember how it happened. My phone buzzed in my hand, and my father’s name flashed on the screen.

I hesitated before answering, but the moment I did, his voice thundered through the speaker. “Stella Rivers! Do you have any idea what you’ve done? Everyone’s waiting for you! How could you be so irresponsible on your own wedding day?”

His words cut through me like a blade, but I couldn’t find the strength to respond. My tears choked me, and I hung up, unable to bear his disappointment.

The phone buzzed again. This time, it was Eric.

I answered with shaking hands. “Eric, I—”

“Where are you, Stella?” His voice was cold, a sharp contrast to the warmth I had always known. “Do you have any idea what you’ve done to me?”

My throat tightened. “I… I’m sorry,” I stammered, barely able to get the words out.

“Sorry?” His bitter laugh sent a shiver down my spine. “You humiliated me, Stella. Do you even understand what you’ve done? Why?”

Before I could explain—or at least try—he hung up.

I stared at my phone in disbelief, my heart shattering into a million pieces. The weight of my actions pressed down on me like a crushing wave. I scrolled through my notifications, and my blood ran cold.

My face was plastered all over the news. The headlines were cruel, each one more damning than the last:

“Heiress Caught in Scandal: One-Night Stand on Her Wedding Day!”

The comments were even worse.

“She’s a spoiled brat who doesn’t deserve anything including our charming Eric”.

“How could she cheat on her fiancé? Disgusting.”

“Eric is lucky he dodged a bullet with this trainwreck.”

Each word was a dagger, cutting deeper into my already broken heart. My hands trembled as I dropped the phone into my lap, burying my face in my hands.

How did my life spiral out of control so quickly?

I had lost everything—Eric, my father’s respect, my reputation. The life I had dreamed of was gone in one night, replaced by a nightmare of my own making.

I didn’t know how I was going to face the world. I didn’t know if I even could. But one thing was certain: this wasn’t just a mistake.

It was the beginning of my downfall.