Once upon a Marriage

Eloise

 I settled on the coach, reaching for the television remote. Today was Lucian's big day and and the event was broadcasted.

 This silly illness prevented me from accompanying him but I didn't care.

 "Tonight, the world will see my vision." I smiled, feeling the pride in my chest.

  The Live broadcast finally began, the spotlight settled on Lucian, as he made his way to the stage, looking impeccably polished in his tailored suit. I had never felt so proud, i couldn't help but smile and settled deeper in the cushion.

  “Ladies and gentlemen, thank you for joining us tonight. I’m thrilled to announce the launch of our latest collection—a collection crafted with love, passion, and elegance” He said, his deep steady voice echoed through the speakers.

  My heart fluttered, “Our” collection, I repeated in my mind. 

  “I’ve been fortunate to work with someone special on this project, someone whose talent and dedication have brought this vision to life” Lucian said, his gaze sweeping over the crowd as he spoke.

  I held my breath, my pulse quickening with pride and excitement. I could practically feel my name on his lips. 

  “It is my honor to introduce the genius behind this collection…” Lucian paused, then smiled.

  The camera zoomed in as he extended a hand, gesturing off-stage. My smile widened, my fingers tightening on the edge of the couch. 

 The camera zoomed back to the crowd and a figure emerged the stage, it was Jennifer, Lucian’s ex lover and also my step-sister appeared on the scree

  My breath caught in my throat, and from that moment my world began to spin

  She stepped into the spotlight, gliding toward Lucian as if she belonged there— as if she had any right to stand on that stage, wearing a dazzling gown that sparkled beneath the lights.

  Jewels dripping from her neck and ears. Jewels i had designed.

  “What!…?” I exclaimed,my voice barely a breath.

  He turned to Jennifer,his eyes beaming, his arm slipping around her waist with a casual intimacy that made my stomach twist. 

  The way he looked down at her with a softness, a warmth that I haven't seen in his eyes for once.

  “Jennifer has been an inspiration to me, both personally and professionally,” he said, his voice laced with admiration.

  “I couldn’t imagine anyone more fitting to lead this project with me” He continued.

  I felt my chest tighten, my breath coming in short, shallow gasps. This can't be happening. It can’t be!”

  My marriage with Lucian shouldn't have happened, it was a marriage i accepted for my selfish reasons, my childhood crush came asking for my hand marriage and i couldn't miss that opportunity.

  I thought after this years with the child we bore together that our love must've awaken but it didn't.

  I was just loving a man that would never love me, a man that was never mine to began with, a marriage I could've rejected and discarded my selfish feelings.

  The crowd applauded, their faces lit with admiration and awe. People were clapping for her!—for Jennifer.

  The woman who had barely even been part of my life, who despised and spited me whenever she pleased, was now basking in the success i had dreamed of.

  “Tonight is not just a launch of our new project. It’s the start of a new chapter.” He paused, turning to Jennifer, his eyes full of disturbingly tender look.

  “A new chapter for us, and for our future together.”

  The crowd gasped. 

  “No!!…” I whispered, horror creeping into my voice as the realization hit me, tears began to form.

  “It’s true,” He continued, his tone smooth and practiced, as if he was reading from a script. 

  “Jennifer and i have rekindled our relationship we never had to let go of, and in light of that…”

  My heart pounded so loud i could barely hear his next words.

  “…I am announcing my separation from Eloise.” He announced.

  The word echoed, causing the tears i had steadied to start streaming.

  “Separation?” He was ending our marriage—on live television?

  I sat frozen, watching as the camera captured Jennifer’s coy smile, the way she leaned into him with a sense of possession and victory. 

  She won, He was her man to begin with, if not for what happened years ago i wouldn't be in this mess, i wouldn't be so humiliated for everyone to see.

  I couldn't process the humiliation and shock playing before me. “Is this a dream? Someone wake me up from this nightmare”

  My last decision was now daunting on me.

  Trembling, I pressed my hand against my mouth, as if to keep myself from screaming. I wanted to scream but my voice felt hollow and dry.

  I could feel my chest pounding, a deep pulsing wound that threatened to tear me apart. “This was supposed to be my night, i thought, disbelief mingling with the agony tearing through me. “He….. he promised.

  “To new beginnings,” he said, his voice filled with conviction and worse was satisfaction. 

  The live feed cut back to Lucian, who raised his glass in a toast. He clinked glasses with Jennifer, sealing the moment.

 I couldn’t move, I couldn’t tear my gaze away from the screen as the man i trusted and loved for so long casually discarded me, stripping away everything i thought we had.

  My mind spun, a rush of cold sweat appeared on my forehead. The sacrifices, the years wasted, the tears, every ounce of loyalty I had given him—it was all crushed underfoot like it had meant nothing.

  The camera zoomed in on Lucian and Jennifer one last time before the feed cut out. My screen went dark just like how my world went blank.

Suddenly, I felt a light grip on my nightie. I turned immediately—it was Max, my Son. His eyes were wide with fear. "Mom, there's someone outside," he whispered, his voice barely above the whisper.

Eloise

The pounding bass of the club's music felt like it was vibrating through my bones. I sat at our usual table. 

As we waited for the bartender's attention, Ava kept up a steady stream of chatter, her voice a comforting background noise.

"And then he had the nerve to say he didn't like my dress," she said, rolling her eyes dramatically. "Can you believe that?"

I managed a genuine laugh at that. 

"Seriously? Who doesn't like your dresses?"

"Exactly!" she exclaimed, throwing her hands up in mock exasperation. "Men are idiot.”

The bartender finally noticed us, and Ava ordered our drinks. As we waited, I glanced around the club, my eyes drifting over the crowd. That's when i saw him.

He was tall, strongly built, which made his expensive jacket look even more attractive. Every detail about him— his piercing grey eyes, tousled hair, the confident way he moved—i couldn’t look away.

Ava, who usually remained unfazed by good-looking m