Chapter 22
The wedding invitation in his hands was embossed with gold lettering that caught the sunlight with a harsh glare. Daniel stared at the card, his fingers trembling uncontrollably.
“Marcus Pierce and Valentina Frost request the honor of your presence at their wedding on the 18th of this month…”
Every word was like a blade cutting deep into his heart. Valentina was supposed to be his. She was the woman he’d sworn to love for the rest of his life.
But now he had to watch her marry his own brother. How cruel could fate be?
He’d spent weeks trying to win her back, begging and pleading with her. Every time, he got the same cold response.
“Give it up, Daniel. Marcus and I truly love each other. As for us, there’s no chance we’ll ever get back together.
“Not every mistake can be undone. You and I can never go back to what we were.”
The cheerful sound of wedding music drifted through the window, pulling him back to the reality he didn’t want to face. Today was the 18th, and the wedding… was today.
Daniel stood in front of the mirror, mechanically adjusting his dress uniform. The man staring back had hollow cheeks and dark stubble covering his jaw.
Where was that confident Captain Pierce from years past?
Camille hovered in the doorway, looking like she wanted to say something but couldn’t find the words. Ever since she learned that Marcus had returned, she’d been a shadow of her former self. Daniel didn’t even glance at her as he grabbed his cap and headed for the door.
“You’re going to the wedding?” Camille blocked his path. “Don’t do this to yourself. Have some dignity…”
“Get out of my way!” Daniel shoved her aside, his voice barely recognizable.
The wedding was being held in the military chapel, decorated simply but warmly. Daniel stood in the very back row, watching the happy faces of all the guests while his stomach churned with nausea.
He’d arrived too late. There wasn’t even a seat for him.
In the center of the chapel, Marcus stood tall in his dress uniform with a red boutonnière pinned to his chest, holding Valentina’s hand as they greeted their guests.
And Valentina… The woman who should have been his wife was now wearing a white dress
Chapter 22
with a white flower tucked behind her ear, leaning against someone else.
She looked radiant, but her smile would never belong to him again.
2/3
Daniel’s vision blurred. For a moment, he could almost see himself five years ago–holding Valentina’s hand just like that, making vows of forever amid everyone’s well–wishes.
“You may now kiss the bride!” The officiant’s voice snapped him back to reality.
Daniel watched helplessly as the newlyweds kissed deeply. He watched them share champagne and how Marcus gently wiped a drop from the corner of Valentina’s lips. Every gesture was like torture, each one cutting deeper into his heart.
“Time for the reception!”
Amid the cheers, the couple was escorted to the reception hall. Daniel found himself following them like a ghost, watching from the shadows as they danced their first dance, cut the cake, and celebrated with their guests. Hours dragged by in torment.
Finally, as the evening wound down, Marcus carried Valentina across the threshold into their decorated bedroom. Their silhouettes appeared in the window.
Marcus gently removed the flower from Valentina’s hair, letting her long locks cascade down like a waterfall. Their embracing shadows slowly merged together, becoming one.
Daniel collapsed to his knees, a sound of pure anguish escaping his throat. When Valentina had watched him with Camille, had her heart been breaking like this too?
Only now, experiencing it himself, did he realize how cruel and selfish everything he’d done had been. He remembered their own wedding night, how carefully he’d treated her, afraid to hurt even a strand of her hair.
Back then, he’d sworn to love her forever. But when had it all gone wrong? Was it the first time he’d felt sorry for Camille?
When he chose the “pregnant” Camille during the earthquake? Or was it when he’d taken Val’s love for granted, thinking she’d never leave, no matter how badly he treated her?
The night wind carried away the sounds of celebration and dried the tears on Daniel’s face. He staggered to his feet and took one last look at the lit window.
It was over. Everything between him and Valentina was truly finished.
Inside the bedroom, Valentina rested against Marcus‘ chest, listening to his steady heartbeat.
“Tired?” Marcus gently stroked her long hair.
Valentina shook her head, then said quietly, “I thought I saw Daniel earlier.‘
Marcus’s hand paused for a moment before he put on a mock–serious expression to tease her.
Chapter
“What’s this? Having second thoughts? Want to return me? Or maybe see him one more time?
“Not at all.” Valentina laughed softly, her eyes sparkling with joy.
She leaned up to kiss his chin gently, her voice tender as she said, “He and I settled everything a long time ago.”
Outside their window, the last of the wedding lights went dark. A lone figure walked slowly away in the moonlit street below, growing smaller and smaller until he vanished into the night.
