Back to the past

   (Karis's pov)

    

    My head was spinning and it took a while for me to realize what was happening. A second ago, I was in the middle of the road about to be crushed by a car, and the next second, I appeared in the dressing room on my wedding day.

    

    I would have thought it was a dream or a joke but I could feel Bertha hold on my wrist. Was I being reborn to have a second chance in life? I stopped moving as I came to the realization.

    

    Bertha turned back at me, surprised why I stopped; her eyes went wide, stunned because my eyes were blurry with unshed tears. I felt like crying, remembering everything that happened in my past, which might repeat itself in the future.

    

    "Karis, Are you crying? Please don't cry today should be your happiest. I can't believe you are finally married to Xander, your long-time crush." Bertha said in a calm voice caressing my hand. 

    

    "I can't help it." I sniffed, hugging Bertha; it had been ages since I saw her because Bertha died in the past. She was my closest friend, and after she left the world, I was left alone, with the only person to lean on was Xander.

    

    Bertha patted my back. "Please don't cry; if you do, your makeup will be ruined. I am sure you don't want anyone to outshine you in the reception hall." She broke the hug and used a face towel to carefully clean my tears without ruining the makeup.

    

    Then it hit me as I glanced at my left hand to see the wedding ring on my fingers. I clenched my hands, realizing that I had already married Xander, that heartless bastard. Remembering his betrayal my thoughts strayed to wonder how long he had been cheating on me with Emma. Why did his lover have to be her of all people?

    

    I needed to escape this marriage because I was not ready to go through it over again, but we could not divorce since we were newly married; we could only apply for a divorce after two months, according to the country's law.

    

    "Karis, why are you agitated? Don't tell me it is because of what Emma did." Bertha said through her gritted teeth.."Just forget about your sister today is your day." She cheered me up and then pulled me towards the door. I took a deep breath remembering stepping out that door is accepting my new reality.

    

    We left the dressing room and started heading for the reception hall. The hallway was empty because Xander had booked the entire hotel for our wedding.

    

     We got into an elevator heading for the ground floor. I stood behind Bertha, gripping my wedding dress skirt to hide my emotions. It was a very beautiful dress if not the best I had worn in my life, but it seemed dull in my eyes. I remembered how excited I felt wearing this dress today but now the only feeling in my heart was dread.

     

     The elevator doors opened, "what are you doing here?" Bertha said agitated to the someone. I looked over her shoulders to see it was Emma and she was crying. My mind was blown away seeing Emma cry. Why was she crying on my wedding day?

     

     We stepped out of the elevator and my eyes locked with Emma. Emma was wearing a very gorgeous dress with sexy slits; her dress outdid even my wedding dress. She clenched her hands, gritting her teeth; Emma didn't even bother to hide the hatred in her eyes. We didn't say a word and she rushed to the elevator.

     

     "Don't be bothered by her. She was probably trashed talked for attempting to out-dress you." Bertha scoffed drawing my attention back to her. Emma had attempted to steal my limelight; she was more gorgeous than me. It made me storm out of the reception hall upset. I was jealous of her, but why was she crying now after successfully ruining my wedding?

     

     Bertha looked concerned, thinking I was still mad, but I didn't feel anything at all. If possible I would gladly hand over my husband to Emma on a platter of gold.

     

     "No, I am fine; let's head back." I beamed a smile at Bertha and sighed, thinking I was hiding my emotions. We soon arrived at the flamboyant reception hall, the decorations and people inside all screamed wealth.

     

     This would have made me happy in the past but it looked like dirty to me. I didn't want to get married to Xander but we were stuck with each other for now.

     

     "Karis dear are you alright? You left me worried when you stormed out of the hall." A gorgeous middle-aged woman approached me immediately I got into the hall and pulled me into a tight hug. Her grey eyes reminded me of Xander.

     

     "I am fine, Mother, Just a bit emotional," I replied, exactly like how it happened in the past; Xander's mother, Camila, was the only one except Bertha, who was concerned about me after Emma ruined my wedding. Her smile warmed my heart; she was the reason I married Xander and worked so hard to protect our marriage.

     

     "Alright, dear, put up a bright smile and approach your groom. He would already be missing you." Camila cheered on, pushing me further; my eyes immediately caught a familiar tall figure that stood proud in the crowd with a majestic aura unique to him.

     

     As if sensing my gaze Xander glanced at me before turning back to his business associates he was conversing with. I scoffed at myself, hurt by his emotionless gaze, just exactly how he said it. He had never held me in his heart.

     

     For years, I chased after his shadow and love, neglecting myself, but not this time around. I would make sure to live my best life, and those plans don't include him.

     

     Xander was expecting me to approach him, but why would I do as he wished? I picked up a glass of champagne from a waiter and twirled it, bringing it up to my eyes to see Xander's high and mighty figure through it. 

     

     I brought the glass to my lips to sip the champagne savouring the taste with a dazzling smile on my lips. "Congrats Mrs De Marco."

     

     Someone approached me with a bright smile. He didn't look familiar but he was dashing. "Thank you." I smiled at him. 

     

     "You look very stunning, Karis; it is too bad that you are married to Xander." he complimented, making me throw an amused look at him. That was a weird compliment to give a new bride but I agreed with him.

     

     "That's unexpected of you to say." I laughed making him smile brighter. "It is. Pardon my behaviour for not introducing myself earlier. The name is Skyler Crest." He took my hand to place a soft kiss on it. His actions stunned me but before I could say a word, a firm hand yanked my hand from his hold.

     

     I felt myself being pulled against a firm wall but it wasn't a wall but Xander's hard masculine chest. "Mr Crest I would appreciate it if you keep your hands off my wife." Xander's cold voice boomed, sending waves of shivers down my spine.