𝐖𝐇𝐈𝐓𝐄 𝐋𝐈𝐄𝐒

𝟑𝟎| 𝐅𝐫𝐞𝐞

Oɱɳιʂƈιҽɳƚ
SҽρƚҽɱႦҽɾ 4ƚԋ
Pαɾιʂ, Fɾαɳƈҽ

Ivory stood in front of the full-length mirror, staring at her reflection as her mind raced. She was still in her undergarments, her hair perfectly styled and her makeup already done to perfection, but the final step—the dress—remained. It hung on the door in all its elegance, the last barrier between this quiet moment of solitude and the chaos that awaited her at the ceremony.

The wedding ceremony, the vow renewal, was supposed to be a celebration, a show of love and commitment. But for Ivory, it was going to be something much darker. It was going to be her chance to expose Jayce for who he really was and finally set herself free.

Her heart pounded hard as she thought about what was coming in less than two hours.

And today wasn't just an anniversary day either. It was her birthday.

She should have been excited, thinking about how she would celebrate later with her sister Ivanna and her nephew, maybe with some wine, cake, and laughter. She longed for that carefree moment, where the only thing she had to think about was blowing out candles and making a wish. But right now, her thoughts were consumed by the confrontation that loomed ahead. It wasn't just about her, not anymore. It was about showing everyone the truth about Jayce—his abuse, his lies, and everything he'd done to her. It was about reclaiming her life.

Ivory took a deep breath, running her hands over her slicked hair to ground herself, her fingers tracing over the diamond pins and pearled barrettes that held the tight knit bun together. Her mind drifted to what might happen at the ceremony. How would people react when the slideshow played, showing the bruises, the tears, the years of abuse she had hidden behind a perfect smile.

Would they pity her? Would they judge her for staying as long as she had? But deep down, she knew this wasn't about them. This was for her—for the freedom she desperately craved and deserved.

Her thoughts then shifted to her plans for after the ceremony. She smiled faintly, imagining the simple joys of celebrating her birthday with Ivanna and Julez. Her nephew and sister always had a way of making her feel better, no matter how bad things seemed. And those were the only two here that she was sure would be on her side after tonight.

So tonight, after everything was over, she was going to let go of the weight and just enjoy the company of the people she loved most.

A sudden knock at the door pulled Ivory out of her spiraling thoughts. Startled, she quickly glanced at the clock—she wasn't expecting anyone yet. Ivanna wasn't supposed to arrive for another hour to help her into her dress.

"Maybe she's early," Ivory muttered to herself as she hurried over to the door, her heart racing with a mix of nerves and anticipation.

But when she swung the door open, she was met with a surprise that made her heart skip a beat.