Chapter three: Shattered vows

The lady removed her hood, revealing a striking face with piercing green eyes. Her identity remained unknown to the stunned crowd.

She handed the folder to the minister, who hesitated before accepting it.

"As you can see," she announced, "Cassandra's infidelity is undeniable."

The minister's eyes widened as he scanned the contents. Unclad photos of Cassandra with a masked man in her hotel room bed spread before him. He hastily looked away, his face flushing.

Gasps and murmurs erupted throughout the church.

Cassandra's eyes widened in horror. "No... this can't be."

Mildred rushed to her side. "Cass, what's going on?"

Cassandra grasped Mildred's arm. "How... how did this happen?"

Tears streamed down Cassandra's face as she collapsed to the ground.

Jim's expression transformed from shock to disgust as he gazed at the photos. His mind struggled to reconcile the woman he thought he knew with the one in the pictures.

How could Cassandra betray him like this?

He recalled their laughter, their late-night conversations, and their whispered promises. Had it all been a lie?

Jim's anger simmered, fueled by hurt and disappointment. He couldn't bear the thought of looking her in the eye.

As he turned away, Jim's eyes stung. He felt like a fool, blinded by love.

His gaze lingered on Cassandra before he turned to leave.

"Jim, wait!" Cassandra cried, but he stormed out of the church.

Phoebe rushed to her daughter's side. "Cassandra, darling, what's happening?" Cassandra's body shook with sobs. "I... I don't know."

The mysterious woman's gaze lingered on Cassandra before she turned to disappear into the crowd. Claus, hidden amongst the crowd, watched with keen interest. The scene amused more than shocked him.

"This wedding cannot continue." The minister's voice trembled. As the church erupted into chaos, Cassandra's world fell.

Her sobs echoed through the gradually emptying church.

Phoebe and Mildred tried to comfort her, but she pushed them away.

"I need to talk to Jim," Cassandra pleaded.

Mildred hesitated. "Cass, I don't know if that's a good idea."

Cassandra's determination hardened. "I have to explain."

As Cassandra rushed out of the church, Phoebe's worried gaze followed.

Meanwhile, Jim's anger boiled over. He couldn't shake the image of Cassandra with the masked man.

Claus approached him. "Looks like your perfect bride wasn't so perfect after all," Claus said.

Jim's fist clenched, but he restrained himself.

"You came?" Jim said.

Claus shrugged. "I wouldn't miss your wedding for anything Heights. It's sad it's ending this way."

Cassandra's frantic search for Jim led her to his best friend's house. She pounded on the door, tears streaming down her face, her elegant mermaid gown fluttering behind her. The delicate lace and sparkling diamonds seemed mocking now, reminders of her shattered dreams.

"Jim, please listen!" Cassandra begged, grasping his arm as the door opened revealing his stern expression.

Jim shrugged her off, his eyes cold. "I've seen enough, Cassandra."

Tears streamed down Cassandra's face. "Those photos aren't what they seem. I swear, Jim."

Jim's expression hardened. "Don't lie to me, Cassandra. I saw the pictures."

Her voice cracked. "I don't know who that man is or how those photos were taken."

Jim's disgust deepened. "You're unbelievable."

Cassandra's heart shattered. She turned and ran, her gown fluttering behind her like a torn wing.

She fled to their favorite spot, a serene pond where they first met. The sun was setting, casting a golden glow over the water.

Cassandra collapsed onto a bench, sobbing uncontrollably. She pinched herself repeatedly, desperate to wake up from this nightmare.

How could this be happening? Just hours ago, she was exchanging vows with Jim.

As the stars began to twinkle, Cassandra's tears slowed. Exhaustion claimed her, and she slumped forward, her head in her hands.

Their favorite spot, once filled with laughter and love, now echoed with her despairing cries.

A gentle voice broke the silence. "Cassandra."

She lifted her head slowly, revealing swollen eyes and a tear-stained face. Her elegant gown was now disheveled, with stains of tears mixed with sweat.

"I knew I'd find you here," Mildred said, taking a seat beside her.

Cassandra's voice cracked. "Do you believe it, Mildred? Do you think I'd cheat on Jim?"

Mildred's expression was adamant. "No, Cassandra, I know you. You love Jim too much to betray his trust."

Cassandra's tears flowed anew. "Then why does everyone else think it's true? Why does Jim think it's true?"

Mildred wrapped her arms around Cassandra. "Because they don't know you like I do. And because those pictures... they seem convincing."

Cassandra's despair deepened. "It's me in the pictures, Mildred. No one will believe it's a lie."

Mildred held her close. "We'll figure this out, Cass. Together."

But her pain consumed her. "I wish I'd never woken up this morning. I wish I'd never met Jim. I wish..."

Mildred hushed her, grasping her hand. "Stop, Cassandra. Don't say such things."

Cassandra's body shook with sobs. "I just want to disappear."

Mildred stood, pulling Cassandra up with her. "Come on, let's go home."

As she stood, her body felt weak, not just from exhaustion but also from hunger. She had barely eaten that morning.

The walk home was silent, Mildred supporting Cassandra's frail form.

Upon arriving, Cassandra saw her mother, brother, and uncle sitting in the living room. Disappointment etched on their faces.

She quietly walked past them, unable to face their questions and concerns.

She entered the room she shared with Mildred, only to find her belongings packed.

"What's going on?" Cassandra asked, confusion mixing with her despair.

Her mother answered from the sitting room, her voice laced with pain and disappointment. "It is what you see, it is."

Mildred asked lowly, "But Mother, is this what we concluded? I begged you to let her stay a little longer."

The mother stood, her eyes welling up with tears. "She should leave. I can't bear the shame and disappointment she's put me through today. I've lost the little respect I've earned over the years, and also a good son-in-law who has been financially supportive."

Her voice cracked as she continued, "I honestly don't know what Cassandra was thinking. Having an affair on her wedding eve? It's unconscionable."

She paced around the room, her tears streaming down her face. "Didn't you hear the little gossip flying? 'My daughter was left at the altar, same way my husband left me to raise three kids on my own.'"

The room fell silent, the weight of her mother's words crushing Cassandra.

Mildred tried to intervene, "Mother, please—"

But Cassandra's mother wouldn't be swayed. "No, Mildred. I won't tolerate this shame. Cassandra needs to leave. Now."

Cassandra felt a stinging sensation, as if her heart was being ripped apart.

Without a word, Cassandra turned and walked away, dragging her bags with her, tears streaming down her face.

Mildred rushed to her side, wrapping a supportive arm around her waist. "Cass, I'm so sorry. We'll figure this out together."

As they reached the front door, Cassandra heard her mother's parting words.

"don't come back until you've fixed this mess."

The door closed behind them, and Cassandra's sobs intensified.

"Where would you go now?" Mildred asked.

"A guest house, before I find my feet. I have a few bucks saved." She replied as they waited to get a taxi. The street light illuminating her shimmering eyes.

Mildred's expression was grim. "We'll get through ..." Suddenly she turned around quickly "Seems We're being followed."