Introduction (Seraphina’s POV)

"I’ve never felt this alive, Amanda," Alexander said quietly, his voice full of passion. "Being with you... it makes everything else fade away."

Amanda laughed, the sound echoing down the hallway. "I know, Alex. It’s like the world disappears when we’re together."

I stopped breathing when I saw my fiancé Alexander and my sister Amanda locked in an embrace. The sight knocked the wind out of me. Did they think nobody would see them?

A part of my mind wanted to stop them, but I didn’t. I wiped my tears and brought out my phone, vowing to expose them on my wedding day which was tomorrow.

I brought out my phone, took recordings and slipped it back in my pocket and walked away.

The next day, the hall was filled with the soft rustle of silk and silent whispers of anticipation. All eyes were on me as I stood at the altar, my heart heavy with the truth I carried.

I already arranged a projector, I wanted their shame to be televised. I signalled for it to be played with who I arranged it, as we were about to take our vows.

As I watched it, my blood boiled the more. Everyone couldn’t believe what they were seeing. I grabbed Alex’s suit, pulled him closer and landed him a hot slap.

“You promised me, Alexander!” My voice trembled as I confronted the man I had once loved with all my heart. “You promised to love and cherish me, to be faithful until death do us part. And yet, here we are, on the eve of our wedding, and you’re in the arms of my own sister!”

“How could you do this to me, Alexander? After everything we’ve been through?”

“Seraphina, I know you’re hurting, but please try to understand…”

“Understand what, Alexander? That you betrayed me with my own sister?”

“Seraphina, it wasn’t like that. You have to believe me.”

Amanda, hiding in the crowd, wanted to say something but before she could, I already shut her up.

“Oh, shut up, Amanda! Watching that clip, how do you feel? I can’t even bring myself to believe that you didn’t know what you were doing. How can I believe anything you say when you’ve shattered my trust into a million pieces?”

“Seraphina, please, let’s not do this here. We can talk about this later, in private. Please don’t cause a scene, I beg you.”

“Ha-ha!” I let out a sad chuckle. “Is this real, Alexander? This needs to be addressed now. Our families, our friends, they all deserve to know the truth.”

“Seraphina, please, don’t do this. Think about the consequences.”

“Con- Conseq…” I was sick to my stomach. “You want to talk about consequences after what you’ve done? You’ve torn apart our family, Amanda. How can you live with yourself?”

“Seraphina, I never meant to hurt you. Please, give me a chance to make things right.”

“Make things right? How? By erasing what happened from existence? By sweeping this under the rug? Some wounds can’t be healed, Alex.”

“Seraphina, I know you’re angry. Your anger is justified, but please, try to see things from our perspective.”

“Your perspective? How can I possibly see things from your perspective when you’ve betrayed me in the worst possible way?”

“Seraphina, I love you. You have to know that.”

“Love me? If you loved me, you would have never let this happen in the first place.”

“Seraphina, please, don’t leave. We can work through this together.”

“Work through this? How? By pretending like none of this ever happened? I can’t do that, Amanda. I won’t. Amanda… Please do me a favor. Go to your room and hide!”

“Seraphina, please, don’t say that. We can find a way to move past this, I promise.”

“Move past this? Some things can’t be undone, Alexander.

As the argument between us intensified, the guests exchanged worried glances, uncertain of how to react to the escalating drama.

“This is a show of shame. I think we should leave.”

“Agreed. Let's get out of here before things get even uglier.”

"Everyone," my voice cracked with emotion as I spoke, the weight of betrayal heavy on my heart. "This is the truth. As for me, I’m not moving forward with this wedding."

As the uproar of the video disclosure settles, I brace myself for the aftermath, expecting fury and criticism. But, to my surprise, the room begins to vibrate with a strange energy.

"Seraphina, darling," my mother says, her voice shaking from emotion. "We understand this is difficult, but we cannot afford to cancel the wedding."

My eyes widen with disbelief, and my heart sinks as I realize the enormity of their position. My parents want this marriage to happen, no matter what the cost. My heart falls as I realize the depth of their despair. They're willing to compromise my happiness and dignity for their own financial stability. The discovery leaves me with a painful sense of betrayal and abandonment that cuts deeper than any knife.

"But how can you ask me to marry him after everything he's done? I mean.. You just watched in 4K.." I protest, my voice shaking with fury and anguish.

My father's expression is anguished as he reaches out to gently touch my trembling hands. "Listen, we're going to pretend that didn't happen. We have no choice, my dear," he says, his voice strained with emotion. "The future of our family hangs in the balance."

My mother's eyes brim with no emotion, her voice choked with assertiveness. "I know it's not ideal, my dear," she says, her voice barely above a whisper. "But sometimes we have to make sacrifices for the greater good. Please, Seraphina, for the sake of our family, for the sake of everything we hold dear, we must go through with this wedding."

Tears well up in my eyes as I gaze into my parents' faces, seeing the desperation and fear reflected back at me. I know they're clinging to this marriage as their last hope for financial security.

My mind reels at the thought, my heart torn between duty to my family and the betrayal I feel at the hands of my fiancé and sister. But before I can respond, my mother continues, her voice trembling with desperation.

"There is another option," she says, her words hanging heavy in the air. "If you cannot bring yourself to marry Alexander, then perhaps... Perhaps Amanda could take your place. That sounds like a good idea..right?"

My breath freezes in my throat at the proposal, and my mind races with astonishment. The prospect of my own sister, who did something as horrible as that, stepping into my shoes and marrying the guy who betrayed me is almost unbearable.

"... I can't believe what I'm hearing… You don't even care about how I feel… Uhn!!?? Please, Excuse me!" I can't bear to entertain my parents' offer any longer, fueled by rage and betrayal. I stormed out of the room without saying anything.

"Phina, Seraphina..." I hear my parents' desperate and imploring calls, but I can't take hearing their pleas and attempts to excuse their conduct at my expense.