The Calm Before Ruin

By the time help showed up, my face was a mess of blue and purple from choking, my body twisted in agony.

That was when Yvette finally saw me, her body smelling like Ethan's cologne, as she came over to hold me. "Jayden! What's wrong?! You..."

The air was thick with a sickening smell of sweat and fear.

My stomach churned, and I could not help but shove Yvette away.

Her face went stiff, her brows knitting together as she stared at me. "Jayden! It was just one night, right? Why are you treating me like this?

"Ethan told you to go first, but you chose not to! How can you be mad at me?"

My heart clenched in pain, and I chuckled raspily. "Right. What right do I have to be mad at you?"

I finished, feeling blood trickle from my nose.

"I told you! I was just trying to help Ethan get better, you...

"Jayden! Jayden!"

Yvette's worried cries echoed as my world started spinning.

Darkness hit, and I went down like a felled tree.

…

Slap!

A smack snapped me back to reality.

When I opened my eyes, Yvette, fuming, threw her phone at my face. "Jayden! Can't you let anything go?"

I saw stars from the blow, fighting off the pain in my chest as I looked up at Yvette.

Her anger was written all over her face as she yelled, "Did you have someone post that stuff online? Do you have any idea that Ethan got fired because of you?!"

I glanced at the phone screen.

Yvette's phone was buzzing nonstop with scandalous headlines.

[Snow Mountain Scandal: The Groom Betrayed Before His Eyes. True Love or a Beautiful Lie?]

[Man Collapses on Snowy Slopes, His Fiancee Busy with Another Guy…]

Gripping my arm tightly, Yvette yanked me up from the edge of the hospital bed. "Come on, we need to go to the wedding and apologize to Ethan! Tell everyone it's not like those gossip-mongers are spinning it!"

I pulled away from her grasp, a bitter smile playing on my lips. "Why should I apologize? I'm not the one spreading rumors!

"And what if it's actually true?"

With a sharp 'crack,' Yvette's hand struck my cheek in a swift slap.

Rubbing her tingling hand, she sneered, "That's enough! So what if Ethan was my first? We're not married yet. It's my choice who I share my life with!

"And what about promises? Can you honestly say you've kept all of yours?"

I stayed silent, just gazing at Yvette, then red with anger.

Throughout our years together, I had kept every promise to her.

How could she say such things?

The sadness in my eyes hit her hard, and she came to her senses, wrapping her arms around me in a rushed apology. "Jayden, I'm sorry, that's not what I meant…

"Please help Ethan. Do it for me. You don't want to see me torn apart by the crowd, right?"

Yvette tried to continue, but I cut her off, the bitterness still lingering in my voice. "Fine, I'll do it."

She had not expected me to agree so quickly. A smile of relief spread across her face as she stepped out, calling Ethan.

She had not once asked about my injuries.

It did not matter to me–not anymore.

After this, I would only have one last thing to do for her.

I made my way to the wedding venue, which was already swarming with reporters hungry for a scoop, blocking every entrance.

As soon as I showed up, I was bombarded with flashes and questions.

"Mr. White, is the gossip about your fiancee online true?"

"Why didn't you intervene when your fiancée was in trouble? Did she really have an affair?"

"How did you feel watching your fiancee with another man?"

Their rapid-fire questions left me reeling.

Yvette, who was supposed to be in the bridal suite, pushed her way through the crowd.

Dressed in the million-dollar gown I had made for her, she took my hand, her face radiating happiness. "Everything online is a lie! Ethan and I are just friends. Nothing more could've happened!

"My husband and I are two peas in a pod! If I had betrayed him, would we be getting married?"

Yvette gave my hand a secret, sharp pinch.

Her ability to lie so effortlessly made my heart ache with a mix of sadness and bitterness.

'If this is your wish, Yvette, I'll make it come true,' I thought to myself.

I faced the press with a forced, awkward smile. "Yes. The rumors are false, and my wife and I are rock solid."

The ceremony went off without a hitch, quelling any lingering suspicions.

However, before we could even exchange rings, Yvette vanished.

Amid the hushed murmurs of the guests, I dialed a number. "I've decided. It's time to start the succession ceremony."