Chapter 16 – Her Final Decision
In the days before their wedding. Sebastian and Madeline had settled into the cozy rhythm of regularity. Sebastian would leave early in the mornings to go to work, using Madeline and saying.
She would smile as she too got ready for work, feeling closer to the life she was meant to lead every day. That worries simmered beneath her serene facade, she was troubled by Sebasti recent actions and his mysterious absences, but she ignored them because there was so much going on in her life.
After months of preparation, the wedding day finally arrived. Sebastian had reserved a large event space, which was decked out with exquisite crystal chandeliers and delicate ivory co that glistened in the warm light.
A charming atmosphere was created by the gentle violin tunes that drifted across the atmosphere. In anticipation of the ceremony, friends, family, and well–known faces crowded the hall Madeline sat in the bridal suite with her best friends, all of whom were giddy with anticipation. As her friends took pictures and videos, the room was filled with laughing and the sound of cameras Blashing
Madeline stayed silent, staring at her reflection as they danced, absorbing every moment in joyful outbursts. She felt empty on the inside, but her friends thought she was the lackest woman alive. She didn’t share the satisfaction and joy in their eyes.
start of her car
Sebastian’s family had flown in to attend the wedding, and her parents and brother, Jared, had come from California. Everyone in the room was excited to celebrate the start of but for some reason, it all felt like a show she was stuck in
She was startled out of her reverie by a ding on her phone. When she saw Jacob’s name on the screen, she looked down and her heart skipped a bear, “How’s it going. Madde?” he’dtexted, for the first time that morning a sincere smile appeared on her face, and the tension in her shoulders relaxed, “Are you here?” the replied.
“Just parked outside,” he responded.
Madeline took a deep breath and turned to her friends,
“Can I get a moment, please?
After exchanging glances, they left her alone and fled out of the room with empathetic smiles. After a little while, she sneaked out and moved around the event center’s back halls, enjoying
She just wanted someone who could remind her of what felt real, even while her mind was ra
She stopped as she turned a corner. Sebastian and Emily were standing just at the end of the stairs, ended in a passionate hug As Sebastian held her close, his face buried in her neck, Emily was pressed against the door, her hands entangled in his hair.
Since they were so absorbed in one another, neither of them paid attention to her as she stood there, seeing the betrayal she had been contemplating all along
The sight of them beokeMadeline’s heart. She experienced a wave of cage, but she also had an odd epiphany. She had been correct to be skeptical in her heart, she had sensed that something wasn’t quite right. When Emily opened her eyes, the noticed Madele
the top of the steps.
As they continued kissing, Emily’s hands moved possessively over Sebastian’s back rather than pulling away, and he grabbed her by the thighs and pulled her in closer. Madeline shook her head and muttered a bitter chuckle, she turned to leave and headed back to the bridal suite, fighting back tears.
Fortunately, nobody was round to witness her breaking down. Her decision set, she grabbed her things with shaking hands, she looked at the bridal dress hanging in the corner one last time, a reminder of a future she could no longer pretendexed Without thinking twice, she slipped out the window, climbing down with tears cloudig bevision,
At least, she was relieved despite the heartache and thankful for the revelation she had just had. Outside, the uw Jacob’s car parked precisely where he had described. The wiped her face, and walked over to him. Turning to face her, Jacob’s countenance changed from one of amazement to one of corn as he observed her shaky hands and tear–streaked face.
“Maddie? What’s wrong?” he asked, his voice fall of worry,
“Why are you crying?”
-Please, take me away from here. Just drive” she whispered.
Jacob reached for her hand without wasting any more time and squeezed it reassuringly before starting the engine. He drove them away from where she had believed her new life would begin
Asking no more questions and concentrating only on the road
Just One More Time
