The Price Of Trust

a P

e love of my life and start my own family. Today was my we

t with excitement but with a feeling I couldn't explain. I had dreamt of this moment for years -walk

ree years ago, and it was love at first sight for the both

erfectly, with the train flowing behind me like soft waves. My dark hair was styled elegantly,

oughts. Vanessa Calloway stood in the doorway, her eyes gleaming with joy. She

a smile. " Ready

s beautiful, Myla. You look just like I did on my wed

knot of nervousness from my chest. "

he veil, her fingers gentle. " I

ress or the ceremony that made me scared-it was something deeper, a feeling in my g

~

re beginning to fill the church, the flowers were arranged in beautiful patterns, and s

ssuringly, but his eyes flickered with a hint of nervousness. We both felt the tension; it had been buildi

father, Michael, and his mother, Susan- were supposed to sit in the front row, smiling proudly as they watched their son m

nts here?" I muttered unde

It's strange," he admitted quietly. " I spoke to Damie

ng else?" I asked,

t would indicate they wouldn't show up today. You know how the

rents come? Michael Brooks had always been a man of his words- his punctualit

didn't?" I wondered, as fea

searching for Damien's face

guests whispered among themselves. The priest waited patiently, but I couldn't shake the feeling t

My father, trying to keep up appearances, leane

nced at the wall clock - they were late. Very late. My heart hammered

hours, and still,

d under my breath, the question slip

ne had a

leared his throat. "

d. " No," I whisp

father. " Where's Damie

n line. The truth could no longer be denied. Damien and his family were no longer coming.

a hammer to my chest. The whispers among the guests grew louder

le thoughts raced

walked toward the back of the church. The whispers grew

voice barely audible,

ng. And mom... She

brows as he exchanged a glance with the ushers nearby. His jaw tightened. "

d, stepping in his

vious. " Myla, this is your wedding day. You shoul

ase," I i

need to find him. And mom's

e softening. "Are you sure? Thi

utting him off again.

re he finally sighed. "Fine." He handed me the keys, his grip lingering fo

knot in my stomach told me I wo

uffocating against my skin. Sliding into the car, I tighten

raced, desperate to piece together a

ver was going on, I had to find him. I drove through the streets of the ci

e shaking so violently, I almost couldn't unlock t

ed softly, unsure

ans

use, the place we had picked out togeth

ce was su

n, my voice breaking. St

g of a time bomb. My eyes scanned the dimly lit hallway, but

ft m

ening. My blood ran cold. I didn't bot

the room, my heart felt

anessa-on top of Damien,her hands gripping his

s knocked ou

en's hair as she rode him. Damien's face, the face that shoul

around me as the crush

er of them stopped. Not until Vanessa

rt shattered into a million pieces. I could

and the time seemed to stop. There w

hed, and my breath came in ragged gasps.

uld not

it

?" I wailed, my voice

me. Her lips parted, but there was no shame in

her said, arching her eyebrows. "I've always