Unhappily Married by; Rachel N.

Part 2

CHAPTER TWO

Nikita sat in the dressing room, her nerves on edge as a makeup artist worked on her flushed face. She was getting married to Xavier, a man she barely knew, and the suddenness of it all had left her reeling. The makeup artist chatted away, unaware of Nikita's inner turmoil. "You're so lucky to be marrying him. He's handsome! How did you two meet?"

Nikita recited the rehearsed response, her voice lacking enthusiasm. "I bumped into him at his fashion school, and weeks later, my mother-in-law told me he was interested in marrying me." She felt like a pawn in a game she didn't understand.

As the ceremony began, Xavier stood at the altar, his eyes fixed on her. But instead of warmth, his gaze was cold, his expression darkening as she approached. Nikita's heart skipped a beat. Did he truly despise her?

Maxwell, Xavier's stepbrother, escorted her down the aisle, filling in for the family she never had. But with each step closer to the altar, Xavier's scowl deepened. The air was thick with tension as they exchanged rings. The Priest uttered the words she longed to hear: "You may now kiss the bride." But instead of a kiss, Xavier's gaze turned icy as he glared at the Priest. The air was heavy with tension as the Priest spat out the words, "Congratulations to the married couple."

The crowd erupted into cheers and applause, oblivious to the turmoil brewing beneath the surface. Nikita forced a bright smile onto her face, but Xavier's eyes narrowed, as if he could see right through her facade. She knew he viewed her as a threat, a tattletale who would report his doings back to his stepmother. But his attention was soon diverted to the crowd, where his ex, Joanne, stood watching them with an enigmatic smile. Nikita's mind raced - what was she doing here? She had heard rumors of their messy breakup, and how Joanne had left Xavier heartbroken. But she never expected her to crash their wedding.

Nikita's eyes widened in shock as Xavier released her arm, stepped down from the aisle, and strode towards Joanne. "Kiss me," he demanded, his voice low and husky. And to her utter disbelief, he took Joanne's face in his hands and claimed her lips in a passionate kiss, right in front of Nikita. The crowd gasped in collective shock, and Nikita's world came crashing down around her.

That was the man she had just married - a man who would humiliate her in front of their guests, who would prioritize his desires over her dignity.

*

Nikita seethed with anger, her blood boiling like a kettle about to whistle. She had retreated to her trusty hideout, a quiet corner where she could nurse her wounded pride. But her solitude was short-lived, as Wyatt's voice pierced the air. "Nikita!" he called out, his eyes locking onto hers.

Her friends had come to extract her from this toxic situation. She dropped her Iced Americano on the table, the glass landing with a dull thud, and raised her hand in a half-hearted wave. "Here," she muttered, her voice laced with defeat.

As she sat with her friends, Temin's question pierced the air. "What are you doing here? Aren't you supposed to be with your husband?" she asked, her tone laced with a hint of sarcasm.

Nikita replied, her voice dripping with irony, "Haha, very funny."

Wyatt's concern was palpable. "What happened? You seem angry," he said, his eyes locked onto hers.

Nikita took a deep breath, the words tumbling out of her like a pent-up flood. "I went to the factory with Xavier and...a model ruined a dress and I helped fix it, but that Joanne girl Xavier always hangs around with scolded me like a child for doing so, and do you know what's worse? Xavier sided with her!"

Temin's response was swift and sharp. "Oh, so you felt betrayed." Nikita shot her a withering look. "Shut up, Min." But Temin continued, her words cutting deep. "Your husband never sided with you before, so why the hell are you acting all annoyed at his actions?"