Seven Years A Shadow, One Day A Prize

The Riveras were still chattering away, listing Garrett's endless virtues, when a young woman wearing a headset-clearly a member of the wedding planning staff-jogged over. She politely interrupted, urging Mr. and Mrs. Rivera to take their seats as the ceremony was moments away from beginning.

Jessie detached herself from Mrs. Rivera's grip and lingered near the entrance of the grand ballroom. This was the first time she was laying eyes on Brittnie Rivera in person. Previously, Brittnie had only existed as an abstract concept, constructed entirely from the glowing praise Garrett offered whenever he spoke of her.

He had described her as a girl from a tough, working-class background who possessed an incredible work ethic. She was the brightest, most innovative student he had ever mentored. He painted her as pure, resilient, and endlessly optimistic-like a sunflower always turning toward the light, he had once said.

Now, looking at the woman standing just outside the heavy oak doors of the ballroom, waiting for her cue, Jessie had to admit she was beautiful. Brittnie was radiant, dressed in a breathtaking, custom-made Vera Wang gown that hugged her petite frame perfectly. Her face was flushed with the exact mix of nervous anticipation and shy joy that one expected from a bride on her wedding day.

"Oh, what do I do... it's almost time to walk in, and I'm terrified," Brittnie giggled, clutching the sides of her voluminous skirt. "What if I trip? I'm a sneakers girl, I never wear heels this high..."

The wedding planners flanking her smiled reassuringly. "Don't you worry about a thing," one of them said, adjusting Brittnie's veil. "You have your bridesmaids, and we'll be right beside you. There is zero chance you'll fall. Just take a deep breath and focus on being the most beautiful bride in the world!"

Brittnie beamed, striking a playful pose. "Do I look beautiful?"

"Absolutely stunning! The most beautiful bride we've had all year," the staff chorused.

Jessie stood in the shadows of the hallway, watching this display. Her dark eyes flickered with a profound, bitter sadness.

Seven years ago, she had harbored her own nervous, fluttering hopes for a wedding. She had spent nights looking at dresses online, dreaming of walking down an aisle toward the man she loved. But when she had timidly brought it up, Garrett had shut her down with the cold, ruthless efficiency of a CEO terminating a bad contract.

"This year is the most critical juncture for my promotion to full professor," he had stated, not even looking up from his laptop. "And Helios Dynamics is in its infancy. I absolutely do not have the time or the bandwidth to entertain a frivolous party. We'll sign the papers at the courthouse."

At twenty-one, deeply in love and eager to please, she had swallowed her disappointment and accommodated the twenty-six-year-old Garrett's ambitions. She had convinced herself that his success was their success. She never imagined that seven years later, at twenty-eight, she would be standing in the shadows, a secret spectator at her own husband's lavish wedding to another woman.

Brittnie suddenly turned her head and caught sight of Jessie standing quietly nearby. Her smile faltered for a fraction of a second before returning, brighter and wider than before.

"Thank you so much for coming," Brittnie said, her voice dripping with sweet sincerity. "Welcome to my and the Professor's wedding."

In that moment, a hysterical urge bubbled up inside Jessie. She wanted to step forward, grab Brittnie by her delicate, lace-covered shoulders, and scream, *Do you know that Garrett Swanson already has a wife?!*

But before she could open her mouth, the heavy oak doors swung open, and the booming voice of the MC echoed from inside the ballroom.

"Ladies and gentlemen, please rise and welcome our beautiful bride!"

Hearing her cue, Brittnie immediately snapped her attention forward. Flanked by her bridesmaids and the planners, she stepped into the spotlight, gliding forward like a fairy-tale princess.

Jessie remained rooted to the spot, watching Brittnie's retreating back. As the planners moved to close the heavy doors, Jessie slipped inside, melting into the dim lighting at the back of the room. She stood among the crowd of standing guests, a ghost at a feast, her eyes fixed on the stage.

The ballroom was spectacular, transformed into a floral wonderland. It was packed with people, mostly strangers, likely the Riveras' extended family and friends.

As the spotlight followed Brittnie down the aisle, the ambient lights dimmed, leaving the stage bathed in a warm, romantic glow.

And there he was.

For the first time that day, Jessie had a clear, unobstructed view of Garrett. The man she had shared a bed with for seven years stood at the altar, looking devastatingly handsome in a tailored white tuxedo. He wasn't the cold, impatient, emotionally unavailable man she knew. He was vibrant. As Brittnie's father placed her hand in his, Garrett accepted it with a look of profound, reverent devotion.

"Garrett, I am entrusting my Brittnie to you," Mr. Rivera said, his voice thick with emotion. "You must promise to cherish her."