Chapter 7: The Wedding is Off

Naomi raised an eyebrow and tapped her fingers together, watching me like she was waiting for a confession. "You guessed right. I was with a man," I said, rubbing my temples. "Just not Julian Shepherd." Even saying his name now made my stomach turn. I must've been out of my mind to love someone that disgusting. Naomi's jaw dropped. "Wait, what? You were with someone else? Last night? What the hell happened? Naomi's eyes widened as she stared at me, clearly stunned by what I had just said. I could see the panic and disbelief in her eyes. So I told her everything. All of it. Coming home, seeing Julian naked in bed with Monica, and the absolute disaster that followed. Naomi exploded. "What? Are you kidding me? That bastard actually slept with Monica? What kind of scum does that? He's worse than roadkill." She paced across the room, cursing Julian like she'd been waiting her whole life for a reason to do it. Then her expression shifted. "Wait. Serena... today's your wedding day!" She stared at me, eyes wide with horror like it had just hit her. "The wedding is off." I said it quietly, but every syllable dug into my chest. This was supposed to be the happiest day of my life. I had planned every little detail. The flowers, the music, the venue. I gave everything to this wedding. And now? Gone. Just like that. "Naomi, I'm tired. I need to lie down." As much as I wanted to hate Julian, the pain still lingered. Seven years with someone doesn't vanish overnight. The betrayal cut deep. I didn't want to think, talk, or even exist right now. I just wanted to sleep and pretend none of it had ever happened. Naomi got the message. She left me alone without another word. I didn't know how long I was out. When I opened my eyes, the apartment wasn't quiet anymore. There were voices outside my door. One of them was Julian's. I pushed open the door and stepped into the living room. Julian was there, sitting on the couch like he belonged, while Naomi stood over him, her face flushed with rage. "Serena." He jumped up the second he saw me, his voice soft, pleading. "Mr. Shepherd," Naomi snapped, arms crossed, "you've got some nerve showing up here. Nobody wants you here." I held myself back. Every part of me wanted to scream at him. To ask him why. But I forced myself to stay cold, unreadable. "Serena, about last night..." Julian took a step toward me, eyes full of guilt. I cut him off before he got too far. "What, you want to give me a play-by-play of how you and my so-called best friend spent the night getting off together?" My voice dripped with sarcasm. I didn't even try to hide the bitterness in it. It still hurt. Even now. I hated that it did. "Serena, I know it was wrong. But Monica and I... we're really in love. I—" "Stop." I held up my hand, my voice steady. "Julian Shepherd, it's over. You don't have to explain anything to me. Didn't you say I forced you into marriage? Well, congratulations. You're free now." The audacity. He cheated on me. With my best friend. Had a whole damn kid with her. And now he wanted me to bless their tragic little love story? If he loved her so much, what the hell was I for seven years?