BAD WIFE

Chapter {8}

Lola's wedding...

Whimsical music floated through the air like a soft breeze, wrapping around the guests and setting the tone for a picture-perfect ceremony. Baylee stood at the altar, eyes fixed on her best friend as Lola glided down the aisle with effortless grace. Her silk, cream-colored lace gown shimmered in the sunlight, hugging her in all the right places. She looked like she had stepped straight out of a bridal magazine—elegant, radiant, untouchably beautiful.

It was the most breathtaking outdoor setup Baylee had ever seen.

The sun shone in all its golden glory, warming the sprawling venue. Birds chirped in the trees as if celebrating with them. Cream was the theme—ivory linens, rose petals lining the aisle, champagne-colored ribbons dancing with the breeze. No detail had been spared. The floral arrangements alone were enough to bankrupt an ordinary couple. Thousands of dollars bloomed in every direction.

It should've been one of the happiest moments of her life—watching her best friend say I do, witnessing a fairytale brought to life.

But it wasn't.

Baylee was smiling on the outside. On the inside, she was unraveling.

Because he was here.

Her eyes wandered, scanning the rows of seated guests until they landed on the front row.

There he was.

Nikolai.

Immaculate. Sharp. Devastating.

He wore the tuxedo Lola had begged him to wear—jet black, fitted to perfection, with a matching vest and a soft cream bow tie that brought out the green in his eyes. Baylee hated how good he looked. How he could sit there like he wasn't breaking her heart just by existing.

His eyes met hers.

And she froze.

That piercing green gaze held her like a vice. Her breath caught. Her pulse stuttered. Even after he looked away, she couldn't stop staring. It was as if her soul was tethered to him, always pulled in his direction no matter how much she tried to resist.

But he didn't look back again.

His focus shifted to the bride and groom, who had begun reciting their vows. His face was unreadable, but Baylee... Baylee couldn't take her eyes off him. Her heart throbbed painfully in her chest. Her body ached with longing she couldn't hide, couldn't push down anymore.

She was denying herself daily. Every hour she stayed away from him, she felt like she was losing pieces of herself. The ache was unbearable. It had become more than just missing him—it was grief. Grief for something she once had but was now watching from a distance, unable to touch.

Every night, when she closed her eyes, she didn't see darkness—she saw him.

"Hey."

Baylee blinked, pulled from her trance.

Clarissa was sitting several rows back with Alyssa beside her. She waved her hand and snapped her fingers, mouthing, You okay?

Baylee nodded quickly, embarrassed. She looked around and realized everyone was laughing. She'd missed something funny. Something light.

She redirected her gaze to the couple at the altar. From where she stood, she had a perfect view of Conner's face and the back of Lola's head. He was beaming—smiling so wide his cheeks were practically trembling. His entire body radiated joy as he looked at Lola, pure love etched in every feature.