Chapter 2

Martha’s POV

It’s the wedding day.

The day I’ve been waiting for. I took a deep breath as I looked at myself in front of the full-length mirror. I can't believe I'm going to marry the man of my dreams.

My wedding dress brushed against the floor. It’s heavy, and even though it fits me just right, I still feel like it’s too tight. The truth is, I’m nervous about today.

Who wouldn’t be? It’s my wedding! We’re just waiting for the car to take me to the church. Ate Angie is outside, taking care of some things, so I’m left here in the room.

I’m feeling a bit dizzy and nauseous. I guess this is what it feels like when you’re overwhelmed with nerves. The events of last night flashed back in my mind. I don’t know if it’s right to think of it as a good memory, but he made me feel so complete yesterday. The thought of that night we shared together makes me feel so happy. I have to forget that night because after this wedding, I’ll be tied to someone else. I heard some footsteps approaching.

I braced myself and grabbed my pouch. My gaze shot up to the door when it suddenly opened. My knees almost gave way when I saw Hubert. He’s not supposed to be here. I leaned back against the bench for support and met his fiery gaze.

He looks so angry. His fists are clenched, and his teeth are gritted. He was wearing his suit, but he looks so different. He should be the all-smiling groom, happy to see his bride... in her wedding dress. I stepped back, trembling.

Something’s off. I knew it. He wouldn’t come into our house minutes before the wedding if it wasn’t serious. My heart raced, and tears welled up in my eyes.

“Why are you here? Didn’t we agree that we’d head straight to the church?” My voice trembled. He sighed and refused to look me straight in the eye.

“Martha, what did you do last night?”

She wiped her palm across her face, ran her fingers through her hair, still seething with anger. I knelt down, my heart racing even faster.

He knew.

“I-I—” I could tell him the truth right now, but I’m so lost.

I don’t know where to start. I heard a few more footsteps. They seemed to be in a hurry. Angeli and Ate Angie peeked behind Hubert. I sighed. I looked at them pleadingly.

Ate Angie came over and hugged me tightly. I just let the tears fall.

“Hubert... It was a bachelorette tradition. Girls usually do it before their wedding,” I heard Angeli explain. So, he really does know what happened last night. I pulled away from Ate Angie’s embrace and approached Hubert. He looked pained and angry.

“Hubert, I didn’t mean to. They put me in that situation. I didn’t know about it either—”

“What? Hang on. Are you justifying your actions? You had sex with someone else before our wedding and it was unintentional?”

“Believe me, I didn’t want what happened. I didn’t know Angeli was taking me to a hotel and that she was hiring an escort. I was completely clueless about this. I thought it was fine. Because they said it was okay.” I know what I did was wrong, but if only they hadn’t set me up, this wouldn’t have happened.

Hubert looked at Angeli, confirming if what I said was true.

“I didn't force her. It was—It was her choice. She wanted it. I just helped her and organised it. I thought it was okay because others do this too. Hubert, I didn't know you wouldn't like this.”

My lips parted at what I heard from Angeli.

“What are you saying, Angeli? You set me up. You brought me to that hotel. I wanted to walk away, but someone grabbed me and took me to a room. That’s what happened.” I glanced at Ate Angie, who also couldn’t respond. She just hung her head, seemingly embarrassed by what had happened.

“You still cheated! Martha, you’re the last person I’d think would do this. I hate premarital sex, so I waited for this day. I value you. How could you do this to me?” I lifted my head. I was about to reach for him, but he shoved me away.

“I loved you so much, to think you could do this to me. This isn’t tradition! This isn’t normal! How would you feel if I slept with another woman before our wedding? Huh, Martha? How would you feel if you found out I was having sex with someone else? There will be no wedding. I can’t accept you as my wife.”

It felt like my world collapsed with his last words. I just stood there, frozen. Hubert turned and quickly walked out of the room. Angeli followed him, while Ate Angie stayed beside me, still in shock.

She's right. I cheated.

I deserve all this. I lost my balance and fell in my heels.

Ate Angie screamed and tried to help me up, but I had no strength. My wedding dress, my makeup, the wedding. I ruined everything. A few moments later, I heard footsteps approaching. When I lifted my head, I saw my parents.

They were wearing the custom-made gowns for the wedding attendees. I couldn't even look them in the eye.

“What happened, Angie? Is it true what Hubert said, that your sister checked into a hotel last night, and—” She paused. She couldn't bring herself to say the exact words.

“This is our fault, Mum. It's true we set Martha up with an escort. We did it before, so I thought it was okay.” I just stared at the white fabric of the gown. I didn't turn to look at them. I didn't want to see their reactions.

“Okay? You think it’s, okay? You know how sensitive Hubert and his family are. And Martha, if you knew you were being set up, you should have just walked away. You know it's not right to sleep with someone else, even if it's just once. You could have refused.” I couldn't respond to what Mum said. She was right. I could have said no, but I didn't.

“Get up, Martha Margaret Serrano!” Mum's shout echoed throughout the room.

I knew at that moment she was at the end of her patience. Ate Angie helped me to my feet. I leaned against the edge of the table, my eyes still on the floor.

“You wanted this, didn’t you? You wanted to live with someone else. Now what? How are we going to recover all the money spent on your wedding? What are we going to say to the people waiting at the church? What am I supposed to tell my friends, Martha! Answer me!” Mum gripped my arm tightly and shook me in anger. Her nails dug into my skin. Tears kept flowing down my face.

“Enough, Carmen...” Dad tried to calm her down.

“You are a disgrace to this family. What about our reputation, Martha? How could you ruin our family name? From now on, I don’t want to see your face in this house. Go and pack your things and never come back. I no longer consider you, my daughter. I have no daughter who drags her family through the mud.” I felt Ate Angie’s embrace, but my whole body was too numb.

I ruined my future. Now I have nothing but myself.