chapter 2- New beginning

The sun was setting as Natalie pulled into the driveway of her small, cozy apartment. Her wedding dress, once a symbol of hope and joy, now felt suffocating. She stepped out of the car, the long train dragging on the ground behind her. Neighbors peeked out of their windows, curious about the disheveled bride returning home alone, but Natalie didn't care.

Once inside, she slammed the door shut and leaned against it, her breathing shallow and uneven. The apartment was eerily quiet, the kind of silence that amplifies your thoughts until they're deafening. Her chest heaved as she let out a sob she had been holding back since she left the church. The tears came quickly, spilling over and soaking her makeup until it smeared like war paint.

Jason's face lingered in her mind—his stunned expression, his attempts to explain, the betrayal that seeped through every word of his apology. She threw her bouquet onto the couch, the flowers scattering. They were still perfect, even though the day had turned into a disaster.

She sank to the floor, her wedding dress pooling around her like a symbol of everything she had lost. How could she not have seen it coming? The signs were there all along: the late nights, the guarded phone conversations, the way he always seemed distracted lately. Her friends had always said Jason was charming, too charming, but she had waved off their comments, defending him time and again.

Natalie wiped her tears and glanced at the clock. It was barely 5 p.m., yet she felt like the day had aged her ten years. Her phone buzzed on the counter, and she dragged herself to her feet to check it.

The screen was flooded with messages. Some were from Emma and Sophie, frantic and worried. Others were from her parents, who had likely been mortified by the spectacle at the church. But it was Jason's messages that caught her eye.

Jason: Natalie, please call me. I can explain.

Jason: Don't do this. We can fix this. Please, Nat.

Jason: I'm so sorry. I love you.

Her thumb hovered over his name, but she couldn't bring herself to open the chat. The words on that letter, written for another woman, were still etched in her mind. No amount of apologies or explanations would erase them. She deleted the thread without replying and tossed the phone back onto the counter.

The next morning, Natalie woke up on the couch, still in her wedding dress. Her head pounded, her eyes were swollen, and her limbs felt heavy. The first thing she noticed was the silence—it wasn't the comforting kind she once loved in her apartment. Instead, it was oppressive, reminding her she was truly alone.

With a groan, she sat up and tugged at the dress, which had become wrinkled and uncomfortable. She stepped into the bathroom and stared at her reflection. Her mascara had left black streaks down her cheeks, her hair was a mess, and her veil hung lopsided.

"This isn't me," she whispered to herself.

She tore off the dress, letting it crumple on the floor, and stepped into the shower. The hot water hit her skin, washing away the remnants of the worst day of her life. As the steam enveloped her, she thought about what to do next. She didn't have the energy to reach out to anyone, not even Emma or Sophie, who had left dozens of voicemails.

Her mind kept drifting to Jason's betrayal. She had given him years of her life—supported his career, planned their future, loved him. And he had thrown it all away. The thought made her stomach churn with a mixture of anger and heartbreak.

When she stepped out of the shower, wrapped in a towel, her phone buzzed again. This time, it wasn't Jason.

It was her mother.

With a sigh, Natalie picked up. "Mom," she said, her voice hoarse.

"Natalie," her mother began, her tone laced with worry, "what happened? Why didn't you tell me anything before walking out like that? Everyone was stunned! You embarrassed Jason's family—and your father and I—"

"Mom, stop," Natalie interrupted, gripping the edge of the counter. "I know you're upset, but I couldn't go through with it. Jason lied to me. He cheated."

There was silence on the other end of the line.

"Oh, sweetheart," her mother finally said, her tone softening. "Why didn't you tell us? We could've… I don't know… helped you somehow."

"There was nothing anyone could do," Natalie replied, her voice cracking. "I couldn't marry him, Mom. I couldn't."

Her mother sighed. "You know, maybe this is for the best. You're strong, Natalie. You'll get through this. You always do."

Her words, though comforting, felt hollow. Natalie knew she had no choice but to move forward. But how?

After hanging up, she sat on the edge of her bed and stared out the window. The city stretched out before her, bustling and alive, while she felt stuck in the wreckage of her old life. But somewhere deep inside, a flicker of determination sparked.

Jason had shattered her trust and her heart, but he hadn't broken her spirit. Not completely. She didn't know what the next step would be, but one thing was certain—she wasn't going to let this define her.

For the first time in days, Natalie let herself think about the future. It was blurry and uncertain, but it was hers.