Five

CHAPTER 5

“In the presence of no objections, I know proclaim you husband and wife. You may kiss the bride.” The priest said.

As William and Sandra kissed the crowd clapped and cheered. Music started to play.

Isabella’s mouth was firmly held by her step mother. She was sure that it would leave a bruise there. She was held back until the wedding had been blessed.

She was not able to object to the marriage. After struggling for quite some time she finally pulled away from her monstrous grip. Her body hurt and she felt terrible but that didn’t stop her from matching up to the new bride and groom

“William! William!” She screamed as she made her way to William and Sandra. Sandra looked annoyed when she reached them but a smirk lingered on her face when she saw her dishevelled appearance.

She grabbed the front of his tuxedo to shake some sense into him but he pushed her away in disgust. Isabella stared at him in surprise.

“William what is the meaning of this madness.” She asked in a small voice. “Why are you marrying her when it’s our wedding day?”

William laughed bitterly.

“Why should I marry you when you betrayed me?”

Isabella looked at him in shock. William had never spoken to her like that in their relationship together.

“When did I betray you!” she nearly screamed drawing attention to them.

“You are still denying it huh. Is it unless the proof is glaring on your face that you will confess.” William asked stepping backwards when Isabella took a step closer to him.

He stretched his hand forward and Sandra handed a phone to him. After a few taps he showed her the screen. His jaw was clenched.

It was picture. Not just an ordinary picture but a picture of her. With an unfamiliar man entering a hotel room. When Isabella looked closer she could recognize that it was the waiter that drugged her.

In the eyes of an onlooker the picture looked like she went willingly, but you look closer it was almost as if she was unconscious. Isabella couldn’t believe that William believed this and decided to marry Sandra out of spite and revenge.

Isabella was probably gaping unable to say anything because Sandra let out a mocking snicker. That was the last straw. Isabella lunged at her like a wounded lion ready to kill her.

“You did this to me. You allowed me to be violated. For what?” she screamed. The guest gasped at the crazy woman attacking the bride and called for security. As Isabella slapped Sandra a hand pulled her off her and pushed her away.

She fell to the ground with a thud. Then she realised how many eyes were on her.

“I can explain. William let me explain.” Isabella begged unable to meet him in the eye.

“You disgust me.” He said.

She looked at her step mother and her step sister. They both had the same knowing smirk. Isabella believed that they were the ones that staged everything. From her drugging to this false marriage.

“Nothing happened. I was drugged!” she said. She didn’t want to give her step mother the benefit of seeing her crying.

“You are lying.” William said although he looked uncertain.

“I’m not. I love you William. Please believe me. This marriage can still be annulled.” Isabella said the crowd gasped. She could see that she was finally getting through with William. He looked like he wanted to believe her but also wanted proof.

“Are you going to believe this wedding crasher over your wife?” Some people murmured.

“She’s obviously a whore by the looks of it.” Another person said.

Soon the entire place filled with commentary about who Isabella might be. Since none of the guests were the original people that Isabella invited for the wedding rather they were Sandra and her step mothers guests.

Everybody was waiting for what William would say. He closed his eyes he looked like he was in pain.

Sandra stepped closer to him and clung to his jacket.

“She’s a vixen and a liar. You know it too. You saw all the proof you need.” She whispered into his ear.

“I’ll never marry a whore like you.” William said holding Sandra close to him. Her winning smirk was sickening. Isabella’s heart dropped.

“I can explain-” she tried to reason with him but he cut her off. “Leave!!!” his voice boomed, her heart sank to her stomach.

Sandra stepped closer to where she was on the ground pouring a glass of champagne on her.

“Didn’t you hear you whore...leave.”

Isabella’s whole world shattered on her wedding day.

She turned to her father for at least some support but he looked away as if he didn’t know her. She knew no one in the crowd. No one could help her.

She picked herself up, the champagne trickling down her face and hair.

“Remember this William. You sent me away. You ruined this relationship by not listening to me. You will regret it.” She muttered as she walked past him. He froze up but quickly covered it up.

Isabella paused.

“I loved you. Just know that. You left me when I need you the most and supported my enemies.”

William said nothing. Isabella held the tears threatening to spill from her eyes and with as much dignity she could muster she walked out of the crowd presence. Her head was held up high with her nose in the air.

The security tried to escort her out.

“Don’t you dare touch me.” She said. “I can leave by myself.”

As she stepped outside the venue she realised she was crying. Salty tears rolled down her cheeks to her already damp clothes.

The cab that brought her was waiting for her.

“Do you need a ride?” the driver said with a small sad smile.

Isabella smiled. She knew that she probably looked crazy with the way tears streamed from her face as she smiled but she didn’t care. She didn’t care about anything anymore.

“Yes...thank you.” Her voice croaked as she responded.

Isabella got into the back. This time she didn’t cry loudly as tears streamed from her face. Instead she laughed. She laughed at the fact that her step mother and sister succeeded in ruining her life.

One day, she would expose them for who they truly are. The cab zoomed of into the distant.