Chapter 8: Out of the World

“I swear I will get back at you for this, Adrian.” My hands clenched in annoyance and betrayal.

The crowd erupted with claps that only deepened my anger.

“Your lips are rosy, baby,” Adrian tapped my shoulder as he withdrew from the kiss.

I glanced at him, my eyes portraying the anger, defeat, and pain I felt.

“You don’t know how long I’ve been waiting to have a piece of your lips, they’re so juicy,” he leaned closer, whispering into my ears.

As I stared at him, it took everything in me not to strangle him right there.

“Do you think you’ll get away with this?”

“Oh baby, don’t be silly. You’re my wife now.”

His last words stung hard. His wife? I couldn’t still hardly believe it.

“Awnn, they’re such a sweet couple, so sweet!” a lady said.

I turned to her in disgust. Her eyes had that dreamy look.

“I wish I could get married to this man instead,” she whispered to her friend.

“I’ll dash him to you for free,” I muttered under my breath.

“The bride is so beautiful and bright. Today must be the best day of her life,” another woman said.

Excuse me? That hit me hard.

I glared at her. The happiest day of my life? My foot.

Gosh, I just want to leave this place and go home. I’m tired of seeing all these annoying faces staring at me. My eyes rampaged through the crowd.

I spotted my sister gisting with her friends and my brother smiling at me. Staring at my sister, my heart pierced. She’s supposed to be getting married to Adrian, not me.

My heart drifted to that thought again.

“Why must I be the one to pay for my parents’ sins? Why must I be the sacrificial lamb when Charlotte is right there?”

“Congratulations to you, Zora. You’re now a Wolfe.”

I felt a gentle tap on my back.

The wedding had ended, and the reception was already underway.

It was my manager. He held a tall glass of wine in his hand, his face carrying a sweet smile.

I nodded without saying anything.

“Yes, I must commend, you look so beautiful in your wedding dress.”

He smiled before walking away.

I clicked my tongue in distaste. “When will they stop telling me I look beautiful in my wedding dress?”

“You look so beautiful, sis.”

I couldn’t mistake that voice for anything. I turned, and my eyes landed on my sister, just as I expected.

At her left and right sides were her friends, Zion and Hannah. Sometimes, I wonder what she gives these girls that makes them cling to her like she’s their savior.

Despite how bossy she is toward them and how rarely she treats them like friends, they still cling to her like glue.

“Why are you more excited than the bride?” I asked coldly. My sister and I have never been on good term, it’s always one fight after another. And to top it all, I’m the one paying for our parents’ sins instead of her.

“Oh, come on, baby sister. You’re a married woman now. Act like one and stop picking fights with me all the time.” She let out that fake smile of hers.

“As if,” I rolled my eyes. I just wanted her to get lost from my presence.

“We also want to congratulate you, Zora. Congratulations on your wedding!” her friends chirped in unison. Lousy birds.

I didn’t say a word. I just watched them. These girls weren’t genuine, the fakeness was written all over them.

“Okay girls, let’s go. We’ve congratulated my baby sister enough.”

She snapped her fingers, and they followed her like the bunch of losers they were.

“I’ll see you soon, sis.”

I didn’t even answer. I turned away, trying to get as far from her as possible.

My mind drifted to my best friend. I wondered why I hadn’t seen her since I got into the church. I could swear she didn’t attend my wedding if I hadn’t seen her outside.

My eyes scanned the whole church auditorium for a glimpse of her, but I didn’t see anything that looked like her. Did she go home after congratulating me? I felt sad.

But it didn’t last long, because soon I spotted her laughing and chatting carelessly with Adrian.

It was then I realized Adrian had left my side long ago and gotten lost in the crowd.

My heart pierced at the sight of them together. She’s my best friend. She’s supposed to be laughing with me, not Adrian.

I wanted to go interfere, but Mom and Dad stopped me.

“Oh my sweet angel, you look so good today,” Mom said as they walked toward me.

I didn’t even glance at her. My eyes were on Dad the whole time.

“Why didn’t you walk me down the aisle? That was humiliating,” I glared at him, my emotions laid bare.

“Oh baby, I’m so sorry. Before I could go out to fetch you, the priest had already beckoned for you to come in. Pardon my manners.”

I rolled my eyes. “That isn’t a valid excuse. I felt so humiliated.”

“I’m sorry, sweetheart. I promise to make it up to you, huh?”

I simply nodded.

The air around us grew thick with silence. It seemed the soft music in the background had faded, the guests had disappeared, and we were the only ones left in the church.

“So you’re finally leaving us, Zora. You’re finally going.”

Mom broke the silence. I looked up at her, my heart drenched in sorrow.

As I stared at her, I expected sympathy in her eyes, but there was none. Instead, it felt like they were relieved, like a weight had been lifted off their shoulders. Am I thinking too deep?

“Zora, we’re going to miss you.”

I searched her eyes again, but I couldn’t find sincerity. It seemed like she was forcing the words out. Wasn’t her voice supposed to crack when she said that? Then why was there such delight in it?

I turned to Dad, it was the same. His eyes were bright, full of life, and his lips held a faint smile. My mind drifted to the thoughts that had been bothering me.

“Dad,” the words escaped my lips like a heavy weight.

“Yes, darling?” He placed his hand on my shoulder, his eyes urging me to speak. For a moment, I hesitated. Maybe I was overthinking. They were my parents, after all. What was I even suspecting?

But the question refused to stay buried.

“Why did you have to do so much for a marriage that will only last three months? Weren’t we supposed to have a small family gathering and tie the knot quietly? Why all this? Haven’t you thought of the repercussions when this marriage ends? Don’t you know it’ll ruin my reputation?”

The questions slipped out of my lips like stones tumbling downhill. With each one, I felt a bit lighter.

I stared at Dad, waiting for a response. But the look on his face was… out of this world. He didn’t say a word, but that look said it all.

He looked like someone who had just been caught in the act.