JOANNA POV:
The living room was bathed in soft chandelier light, casting long shadows over the plush beige sofa where I sat, trying to lose myself in the endless scroll of my phone. The muted sound of the television humd in the background, blending with the faint clink of my mother’s teacup as she shifted it on the glass table.
Across from , my parents occupied the two-seater, their postures relaxed but upright. My father had his arm draped lazily along the backrest, his fingers intermittently tapping a rhythm. My mother sat prim and poised beside him, her face glowing with the contentnt that cos from sharing trivial pleasures with family.
Grant lounged in the armchair near them, one leg lazily draped over the other. He held a half-empty bottle of soda, occasionally taking a swig between his casual comntary about whatever nonsense was playing on the screen. I couldn’t care less about the show; my focus remained glued to my phone, scrolling aimlessly, pretending to be engrossed in sothing far more interesting. Anything to avoid their conversation, their inevitable curiosity about my thoughts.
And then it happened — a sudden change in tone on the television. My ears perked up in reflex, but it was my mother’s delighted gasp that made pause. My stomach twisted as I reluctantly lifted my gaze to the screen. My heart sank the instant Arec Weston’s face appeared. He was so familiar, so hauntingly close.
Next to him, beaming like she owned the damn world, stood Ella Davis. The golden script beneath them felt like knives digging into my chest: ’Arec Weston and Ella Davis: Wedding Date Officially Announced!’
"Oh, would you look at that," my mother breathed, her eyes shining with a blend of admiration and approval. "Arec’s finally settling down."
I forced my lips into a neutral line, though my fingers tightened involuntarily around my phone. My father chuckled in response, nodding along as if this was the most natural news in the world. "It was only a matter of ti. The boy’s always been charming. He just needed to find the right girl."
I resisted the urge to roll my eyes, knowing all too well they were oblivious to the seething storm inside . Grant let out a low whistle, leaning forward, his soda bottle cradled between his hands. "Honestly, who would’ve thought?" he asked, shaking his head with a smirk. "Arec Weston, the most unattainable man in town, finally off the market. I wonder what changed."
With every comnt, my stomach churned. The heat rising in my chest felt suffocating, but I couldn’t let them notice. I forced a smile, though it felt as brittle as thin ice underfoot. "Guess he just found soone special," I said evenly, though my voice was anything but calm on the inside.
My mother clapped her hands together in delight. "Oh, isn’t his fiancée so adorable? She has such grace, such charm. They complent each other beautifully."
Grace? Charm? I clenched my jaw, the words scraping against my ears. That woman had neither. She was nothing more than a thief — stealing what never belonged to her.
The television cycled through a reel of pre-wedding pictures, showcasing Ella in a white dress that skimd her knees. Her dazzling smile and sparkling eyes betrayed nothing of the havoc she had caused in my life. Beside her, Arec stood looking effortlessly handso. His hand rested protectively on her waist, like she was sothing precious. The sight was enough to make my grip on my phone tighten further. My knuckles ached, and I nearly cracked the screen.
Grant, ever perceptive, shot a sideways glance. "You okay?" he asked casually, but there was an edge of curiosity beneath his tone.
I exhaled slowly, pushing down the simring rage that bubbled beneath the surface. "Oh, I’m fine," I replied lightly, waving him off dismissively. I tried to school my features into asured surprise, mimicking what I assud a neutral reaction would look like. "I just can’t believe Arec is finally settling down."
Grant raised an eyebrow, his lips curling into an amused smirk. If he suspected anything, he didn’t press the issue. His silence was both a relief and an annoyance.
anwhile, my parents continued to gush over the news as if this was the fairy tale ending they’d been waiting for. "Such a lovely couple!" my mother exclaid. "I can already imagine how stunning their wedding will be."
I forced myself to laugh, a hollow sound that mirrored the emptiness growing inside . "Yes, it’s all very exciting," I said, pretending to share their enthusiasm. All the while, my fingers dug into the phone with such intensity that my hand ached. But the physical pain was nothing compared to the fire burning inside .
Ella Davis. That woman would pay for what she had done.
***
THIRD PERSON POV:
Kate humd softly as she rinsed off the last plate, the warm water rushing over her hands. The television in the living room was playing in the background, a steady stream of news and entertainnt she wasn’t paying much attention to — until a familiar na rang through the air.
"In breaking news, billionaire Arec Weston and his fiancée, Ella Davis, have officially announced their wedding date—"
Kate froze, her hands dripping with soapy water. Her head snapped toward the sound, and without a second thought, she abandoned the dishes, wiping her hands hastily on a towel as she rushed out of the kitchen.
Her heart pounded with excitent as she skidded to a stop in front of the screen. And then she saw it — the pictures.
Arec and Ella, looking breathtaking together. Their pre-wedding photos flashed across the television, each more stunning than the last. One of them, Arec holding Ella close, gazing at her with sothing so rare and tender that Kate felt herself lt on Ella’s behalf. Another showed Ella laughing, her happiness practically glowing through the screen.
A squeal of joy tore from Kate’s lips. "Oh my God! Look at them! They are absolutely perfect!" She clapped her hands together, practically bouncing on her toes. "I knew it! I knew they were ant to be!"
Grinning widely, she lunged for her phone on the coffee table, nearly knocking it over in her rush. She swiped through her contacts with shaky fingers, her excitent making it hard to focus.
"Ella, you better pick up," she murmured, her voice still filled with giddiness.
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