01|Fairytales were a lie.

My eyes fluttered open, only to immediately shut again as a dull, throbbing headache overwhelmed my senses, making me groan from the pain.

“Fucking hell,” I muttered under my breath, my hands instinctively clutching my head, hoping it would somehow stop the pain. Spoiler alert: it didn’t. If anything, the pain only intensified, pounding against my temples like a relentless drumbeat.

And the worst part? My entire body ached. Everywhere.

“What happened? How much did I drink last night?” I muttered, asking no one in particular as I opened my eyes, trying to take in my surroundings. But without my glasses, I could barely make anything out. One thing was clear, though—I wasn’t in my room, and I couldn't remember anything, not even where I was.

I sighed and reached out for my glasses, hoping I hadn’t broken them. But instead of the familiar frame I expected to feel, my hands brushed something else—something hard, like a human body.

I stiffened, my breath catching in my throat as I blinked in confusion, shaking my head at the ridiculous thought that there could be a man in bed with me. There was no way. Absolutely no way.

Still, with shaky hands, I reached out again, hesitantly touching whatever I had felt before—and my eyes widened in shock.

Not only was it a man, but he was naked.

What the…

Before I could even process it, a strong hand suddenly grabbed mine. I gasped in shock as I was yanked forward, my body lifted as if I weighed nothing. And in the next second, I found myself sprawled across the lap of a man.

Oh, and did I mention he was naked?

“Oh my God! Who are you? Let me go this instant!” I yelled, my face flushing as I felt the unbearable hardness beneath me, pressing through my underwear. A strange, unfamiliar sensation coursed through me like wildfire, making my breath hitch.

“Let you go?” A low chuckle echoed through the room, dark and amused. “Funny—that wasn't exactly what you were saying last night while being such an obedient little thing.”

I froze. My eyes widened in disbelief as I squinted, trying to make out the man before me. And when I did, my heart plummeted. Memories from yesterday crashed into me all at once.

The wedding. The club. And then…

“I can feel you trembling, little rose. Don't tell me that you are scared especially after what happened between us last night” His voice was a slow drawl, rich with amusement.

Alaric Voss.

My father's friend. I really had sex with my father's friend.

I'm fucked.

A day ago.

Your wedding day is supposed to be the happiest moment of your life—the day every girl dreams about. A day filled with love, joy, and the promise of forever. Just like in those fairy tales where Prince Charming sweeps you off your feet, sealing your happily ever after with a kiss.

So tell me, why was mine so different?

Why had my happiest day turned into my worst nightmare, caused by none other than my own Prince Charming?

Leon.

“W-what did you say?” The priest was the first to break out of the stunned silence, his voice uncertain as he turned to the woman standing at the back of the hall. “You… object to the union of these two couples?”

The heavily pregnant woman had one hand resting on her swollen belly, the other raised in defiance. A sneer twisted her lips as she glared not at me—but at my boyfriend of five years.

At my Leon.

“Yes! I said that. You heard me right. I object!” She exclaimed, pointing at Leon, her eyes filled with hate and betrayal that almost made me laugh.

“But why?” The priest asked, and the pregnant woman rolled her eyes dramatically. The hall fell silent, with some guests watching in surprise, others with excitement, as the drama unfolded. But at that moment, I couldn't even express what I was feeling.

Was it disbelief? Hope that this was just one of those brutal pranks from Leon and his friend? Or perhaps...

I glanced at the woman's pregnant belly and moved my glasses higher as dread settled within me. That wasn’t Leon’s child.

“Why?” The woman frowned, as if the priest had asked the most absurd question, before pointing to her belly with an expression that screamed, ‘Can’t you see?’

“Because the baby inside me is none other than this bastard over there! That idiot knew I was pregnant and still went ahead and married another woman. Can you imagine?!”

“Serena! Shut up” Leon yelled out angrily as soon as she said that, his eyes darkening with unstrained fury.

Everyone gasped, and before I knew it, I closed my eyes, falling to the ground with a soft thud. My heart shattered into pieces, and tears threatened to spill. The air felt suffocating, and I clutched my chest as my shoulders trembled.

“Leon… how could you? How could you do this to me?” I whispered, my breath barely audible. Almost immediately, Leon reached out, his voice laced with concern.

“Isla, I can explain–” He reached out to touch me, but I recoiled, lifting my gaze to meet his as anger surged through me.

He could explain? So, this wasn’t a joke, a nightmare, or some cruel dream. This was real.

“You can explain? Explain exactly what, Leon!” I yelled, my voice breaking as I stood up and shoved him away with all my strength.

“Three years! Three fucking years we spent together, and you get someone pregnant, and you’re telling me you can explain? Explain what?!” I demanded, tears blurring my vision and fogging up my glasses.

“Isla… please, just listen to me. It was a mistake, please—”

“A mistake?” Isla’s voice cut through the air, filled with rage. “Did you just say it was a mistake, you bastard? You slept with me not once, but for an entire year, and you call that a mistake?”

I gasped, staring at Leon in shock.

A year? He had been cheating on me for a year?

“Oh my God, they’ve been having an affair for a year, and she didn’t know. How is that even possible? I’d know if my husband was cheating on me in a week,” someone from the crowd whispered, disbelief in their voice.

“Right! It’s her fault for trusting him so easily,” another voice chimed in. The whispers began, filling the air, sharp and suffocating.

“Is that true? Have you really been cheating on me for an entire year, Leon?” I asked, my voice trembling with disbelief. Leon opened his mouth to speak, but the woman cut him off, her tone sharp.

“Are you that stupid? What’s so hard to believe? I’m due next week, and I’m not about to let you marry him,” she said, her eyes narrowing as she turned back to Leon. “And really, Leon, I’m disappointed. I thought you didn’t like her. You called her ugly and a damn nun and said she wouldn’t even let you touch her in bed and that she was nothing but wife material because her father was wealthy. Still, I am carrying your child. How could you possibly choose her over your unborn child?!”

“Serena, watch your mouth or else…” Leon snapped, trying to stop her from saying too much, but it did nothing to erase what I had just heard.

The damage had already been done and no one could mend a broken glass once it's been shattered.

I took a shaky breath, removing my glasses and wiping away the tears. I pulled off the veil and threw it to the ground. Every eye in the room was on me, and I saw Leon's frantic expression as he opened his mouth to speak, but stopped when I held out my hand, cutting him off. With cold precision, I reached for my finger and removed the stupid ring he had placed there just moments ago before throwing it at him.

“Isla, w-what is the meaning of this?” He asked, his voice faltering as I glared at him, then turned to the crowd, ignoring him entirely.

“I’m sorry for wasting your precious time today, but the wedding is off. Please make your way to the door, I won't be seeing you out since I’ll be leaving first.” With that, I turned and walked away, not sparing another glance at anyone.

I stopped beside the pregnant woman, my gaze cold and unwavering. She stiffened, instinctively stepping back.

“Congratulations on your pregnancy. I hope you have a safe delivery next week. You can also keep the trash since you want it so bad, you both fit each other” Her eyes widened at my words, but I didn’t wait for her response. I simply turned and walked away, away from the whispers and murmurs that threatened to consume me.

Away from my wedding.

Fairytales were a lie, there was no prince charming. There never has been.