Chapter 1 - The Broken Vows
The heavy oak doors of St. Jude’s Church stood wide open, framing a bright, cloudless Saturday morning. Inside, the scent of fresh white roses and expensive candlewax hung thick in the air. Ethan stood near the altar, adjusting his black bow tie with trembling fingers. His dark tuxedo felt suddenly too tight, constricting his chest as he stared down at his smartphone. The screen glowed with an active call, connecting him to a world he thought he had left safely behind.
Behind him, Chloe smoothed the layered tulle of her magnificent white wedding dress, her expression hardening as she noticed Ethan’s distracted posture. She took a sharp step forward, her heels clicking loudly against the marble floor.
"Ethan, who on earth are you talking to?" Chloe demanded, her voice cutting through the quiet church like broken glass. "Our guests are seated, the photographer is glaring at us, and the priest is literally waiting by the crucifix."
Ethan didn’t turn around immediately. He kept the phone pressed tightly against his ear, his eyes locked onto the stained-glass window where amber sunlight filtered through. "Just give me one second, Chloe," he muttered, his thumb nervously tracing the edge of the device. "It’s... it’s an emergency call. I have to take it."
"An emergency?" Chloe’s laugh was shrill and entirely devoid of humor. She reached out, grabbing his shoulder and spinning him around to face her. "The only emergency happening right now is that you are freezing up on our wedding day! Put the phone away, Ethan. We practiced this. You belong up here with me."
Ethan pulled away from her grip, his jaw tightening. "You don't understand. The woman on the other line—she just had a baby, Chloe. She’s alone in a hospital gown."
"A baby? What do I care about some random person having a baby?" Chloe’s face flushed a furious crimson. "You are marrying me, Ethan! Not some charity case in a maternity ward! If you walk out of these doors right now, don't ever bother coming back."
Ethan looked past her angry tears, realizing the terrifying depth of her selfishness. He turned back to the phone, his heart hammering against his ribs. "I have to go," he whispered into the microphone.
May you like
Before Chloe could scream his name again, Ethan dropped his phone onto the stone floor, the screen shattering, and sprinted down the aisle toward the exit.
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