003

003

Zoey:

My eyes were extremely heavy as I didn't have enough rest. I cried throughout the whole night, hoping this would all be a dream but none of this was real.

I still couldn't wrap my head around the fact that I was a fool all these years but today, I picked myself up and covered my imperfect face with makeup, getting ready to attend the wedding.

I had only some thousand dollars in the bank and I didn't know how I would survive alone on that but I would survive no matter what it takes.

I walked out of the hotel, stopping a taxi which took me to Mom's house.

The atmosphere was perfect and comforting but within me was a raging storm.

Today, I would return to the people I least wanted to be with.

They say home is where the family is.

But to me, that was hell and not home.

With four siblings who despised me and a mother who would always do everything to make me miserable, my bond with the family was blurry.

“You're here!" Mom said, grinning at me as she sat in the living room with Mia, the last child fixing her hair.

She was already dressed as it was just an hour until the wedding began.

“Your sister is in the kitchen trying to pick a drink for the wedding. It hasn't been purchased yet but she's checking out the samples, you can join her.” Mom said.

I let out a sigh, knowing well that the sister she was speaking of was Chloe.

I walked swiftly to the kitchen, not daring to question her commands or I would be the reason for everything that goes wrong.

I slammed the door, diverting Chloe's attention.

She eyed me for a second and I could see the jealousy she held against me.

She was dressed in a simple blue evening gown, matching the color of her eyes while I stood in my elegant orange dress.

The glare she shot me silently told me my dressing was a bit too extra.

She rolled her eyes, returning them to the bottles in front of her.

Grabbing one of them, she poured the content into a glass before bringing the glass to her lips to taste it.

I walked over to where she stood, resting my back against the kitchen island as I crossed my arms, watching her calmly as if everything was okay.

My eyes trailed away from her, looking all around the kitchen as I admired the design.

My neck immediately snapped back when I felt a liquid trickle down my waist.

“Oh my! Chloe, what have you done!!” I screamed, feeling the coldness of the wine she just spilled on me.

“Sorry, my hand slipped. It's not a big deal, you can just change the dress." A fake apology along with advice inspired by jealousy.

“You're sorry? Sorry does nothing!” I shouted, staring back at my ruined dress.

The door slammed open but I was too focused on the dress that I didn't realize who it was until he spoke.

“Hey," it was Seth.

I paused immediately, raising my gaze to look at him as he approached.

He didn't even bother sparing me a glance and what's more heartbreaking is seeing him match outfits with my sister.

I swallowed, pretending as if I didn't see him.

I moved to another corner of the kitchen as they giggled and discussed.

“This is going to be a long day." I whispered to myself.

“Hey! Don't just stand there. Come pick a drink for the wedding!” Chloe ordered.

My neck snapped to look at her.

Seth was right there, his arms around her and his hand holding her waist.

“But you were just doing it." I retorted, feeling a pang of jealousy.

“I'm busy as you can see,".

I bit my lower lip, holding in my words before nodding.

She flashed me a smile as she walked out of the kitchen with Seth by her side.

I already have prepared myself for this anyway so it changes nothing.

The rest of the day went on with the orders from my siblings.

I thought the orders were excessive but not until my brother arrived.

James was the first child in the family and he exuded dominance and power.

After a long day, the wedding finally came to an end but that wasn't the end just yet. They suggested a small family gathering at night to celebrate Mom's wedding.

Once again, I was alone, watching the whole family interact without remembering that I existed.

There stood my ex-husband, pecking my sister every now and then at the dining table while I just stood a bit away with a glass of wine in my hand.

I sipped the wine occasionally, trying to wash away my pain but it failed to leave.

They grinned ear to ear, cheering and clinking glasses under the sparkling illumination of the chandelier.

After the toast, they all sipped their wine and of course, my Mother complained.

“Why does this wine taste so bad?" She groaned.

“Zoey picked it. She has such a terrible taste, what do you expect?” Mia chirped like a bird.

I let out a sigh as I listened to their conversations.

I became the main topic of the dinner.

Seth held Chloe by his side, holding her like an egg.

The memories we shared before our wedding began to rush into my mind.

The heated nights. The lovely conversations. The romantic letters. The compliments. The late night walks. The flowers.

Everything.

Everything made me feel a sudden burning desire for Seth.

I wanted him to hold me again like he held her.

I wanted him to touch me again like he did before our wedding.

I wanted to feel him. To have him by my side.

I clasped my legs together, starting to feel a dripping sensation in between my legs as my heart raced faster.

Why was I feeling this way!

I wanted to be touched. I wanted to feel like a woman once more after four years of holding myself back.

A shattering sound pierced the atmosphere as the glass slipped away from my hand.

Everyone's neck snapped back to look at me but they all resumed their conversation as if nothing happened.

I didn't matter. I never would!

"What is she doing standing there? Doesn't she know that her role is to pack the dirty dishes?".