The ballroom was supposed to glow.
White lilies, crystal chandeliers, and ivory linens bathed the entire venue in elegance — the kind Bella Madrid had demanded from the very beginning.
But today, everything felt... hollow.
"Where's Vince?" the decorator asked, carefully adjusting the centerpiece.
Chloe forced a smile. "He's probably just running late."
But even she didn't believe that anymore.
Vince had been gone for two days. No texts. No calls. No updates.
Even Bella didn't know where he was — or so she claimed.
Chloe looked around the venue she had spent months perfecting.
This was supposed to be her masterpiece.237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRT1TKVkBUz
But now, it felt like a funeral waiting to happen.
"Bakit parang wala sa lugar ang mga tao?" Denise whispered, handing Chloe a bottled water.
"Because they're all pretending nothing's wrong," Chloe murmured, eyes scanning the room.
Pamela was pacing near the photo booth. The caterers were whispering behind the cake display. Even the band looked unsure of whether to continue rehearsing.
Denise narrowed her eyes. "What's the bride doing?"
Chloe's gaze landed on Bella — standing near the altar, cold and poised in her silk robe, directing florists like a monarch watching her kingdom burn.
"She's acting like this is still going to happen," Chloe said quietly.
Denise scoffed. "Alam mo, may laban ka pa. Pero kung ako sayo, lalaban ako nang paharap. Hindi na paatras."
Chloe didn't respond. Her heart was too conflicted to follow anyone's advice.
She found herself in the chapel foyer, standing alone as the choir rehearsed Can't Help Falling In Love.
Chloe closed her eyes.
That song used to make her smile. Now, it felt like a cruel joke.
"Chloe."
She opened her eyes to find Maverick standing beside her, hands in his pockets, eyes dark.
"Akala ko nagtatago ka rin," Chloe said, bitterness creeping into her tone.
"Nah. I face my messes."
She folded her arms. "Then why haven't you told Vince the whole truth?"
Maverick shrugged. "Because I'm not the only one keeping secrets."
Her jaw clenched. "I never wanted to be part of your scam."
"Yet here you are," he said. "Still making Bella look good. Still playing the perfect planner."
Chloe turned away.
"You think silence makes you innocent, Chloe? It doesn't."
She swallowed hard. "I know."
Backstage, Bella slipped into her gown early. A shimmering creation of lace and ambition.
"Any updates on Vince?" her makeup artist asked.
Bella smiled, touching up her lipstick. "He'll come. He always does."
"You seem so sure."
"He's predictable," Bella said, standing. "Even when he's angry, he plays the hero."
The makeup artist hesitated. "But what if he doesn't show?"
Bella's smile vanished. "Then I marry his last name without him."
As guests began arriving, Chloe stood behind the curtains, heart pounding.
She had done this a hundred times — fixed veils, adjusted bouquets, calmed bridesmaids.
But never like this.237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxizqxui1w8
Never with this much dread in her chest.
She peeked through the drapes and saw Bella at the end of the aisle, veil down, flawless and unreadable.
Chloe stepped back, breath hitching.
"Hindi mo na to laban," she whispered to herself.
But even she didn't believe it anymore.
And then it happened.
The music played. The guests stood.
Everyone turned to the aisle.
No one came.
Bella's smile faltered.
A murmur rippled through the pews.
The music looped.
Still... no Vince.
The aisle — once a path of promise — was now a tunnel of silence.
Pamela stepped forward, whispering frantically to Bella.
Maverick checked his phone. Still no response.
And Chloe?
She stepped outside, away from the whispers and the chaos, and stared up at the sky.
She didn't hear the footsteps until he was beside her.
"Chloe."
She turned slowly — and there he was.
Vince.
Hair unkempt, shirt wrinkled, tie hanging loosely around his neck.
But his eyes...
His eyes were no longer confused.237Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWheAwp8cdW
They were clear.
"Vince..."
"I know everything," he said. "Bella. Maverick. The lies. The company deal."
"And me?"
He stepped closer. "You didn't lie. You just... couldn't tell me."
Tears pricked her eyes. "I wanted to. Every time. But you were already halfway down that aisle."
"I'm not walking it," he said.
Chloe's breath caught.
"I came for answers," he continued. "But seeing you just reminded me... the only truth I want is the one I feel when I'm with you."
"But Vince—"
"I can't marry someone I don't love."
Chloe's heart cracked open. "And if you walk away now... what happens after?"
Vince looked at her like she was the only solid thing in his world.
"Then maybe I walk toward something real."
Inside, chaos exploded.
Guests began whispering. Cameras pointed everywhere. Bella stood at the altar — alone.
She gritted her teeth and threw her bouquet to the floor.
"You coward," she muttered.
Pamela looked at her, concerned. "Bella, do you want to make a statement?"
Bella raised her chin. "Let them gossip. Let them speculate."
And then she walked straight out the doors — head high, veil trailing, heart like stone.
Chloe and Vince sat on the back steps of the chapel, the sun setting behind them.
"I don't know what happens after this," she said.
"Me neither," he replied. "But maybe we figure it out... together."
Chloe smiled through the tears. "You're not scared?"
"Terrified," he admitted. "But I'd rather be terrified with you... than miserable with her."
End of Chapter 10
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