From abandoned girlfriend to tycoon’s lover (Copy)

💒 Chapter 6 — The Bride, the Witness, and the Shame

The morning of the wedding arrived.

Isabel, frail and pale, could barely stand. The disease had taken its toll—she’d lost weight, and the once-beautiful wedding dress I had sewn with my own hands now hung loosely on her frame.

Too loose in the chest, too wide at the waist.

Carmen clucked her tongue, clearly annoyed. “All that talk about international fashion awards, and yet María couldn’t even make a dress that fits properly.”

I didn’t even blink.

“It was made to fit me,” I replied flatly. “If you’re going to steal something, at least make sure it fits.”

Carmen’s face twisted with fury. “You still dare—!”

“Mamá…” Isabel interrupted with her fake soft tone. “It’s okay. It’s more comfortable this way.”

Then she turned to me and smiled sweetly, as if we were best friends.

“Thank you, María, for making my dream come true.”

I almost gagged.

I needed air, but just as I reached the door, Antonio appeared.

He looked… dashing.

Custom suit. Hair perfectly styled. Confident, composed.

The same man who once swore to love me forever.

The same suit I designed for him.

The moment I saw him in it, it felt like a knife twisting in my chest.

“María,” he murmured.

I ignored him and stepped to the side.

But then my father blocked the doorway.

“Where do you think you’re going? The ceremony is starting. Your sister is weak. You’ll help her down the aisle.”

I laughed. “You want me to walk her in?”

“You’re the witness, and you’re her older sister,” Carmen said. “What’s the problem?”

Antonio added, “Please, María. Since the incident… Isabel’s health has worsened. The dress is heavy, she—”

I raised my hand, cutting him off. “Fine.”

I returned to Isabel, who held out her arm like a princess waiting for her servant.

I stared at her. So smug. So victorious.

Let her enjoy it. Death was already knocking at her door.

This would be my act of charity. One last gift from me.

The music began to play.

The grand golden doors opened slowly.

Light poured in. All eyes turned to us.

The bride… and the witness.

I held Isabel up and walked her forward on the red carpet, step by humiliating step.

Whispers rippled through the crowd.

“Wait… wasn’t María supposed to be the bride?”

“That’s her dress, isn’t it?”

“What kind of circus is this?”

The weight of their eyes crushed me, but I didn’t stumble. I held my head high and walked like it meant nothing.

At the end of the aisle, Antonio stood like a noble prince, glowing with anticipation.

He didn’t even look at me.

His eyes were fixed on Isabel.

He was crying.

Crying.

And not because he lost me.

Because he was in love with her.

I handed her over.

He took her hand gently. She smiled up at him, tears sparkling.

They stepped up to the altar, and I walked to the front row.

I thought I’d feel numb.

But the pain hit me like a tsunami.

All the effort. All the love. All the nights I spent beside his hospital bed.

Gone.

For her.

I pressed a tissue to my eyes.

A hand reached toward me, offering another.

I didn’t even look up.

“Thank you,” I whispered.

“You’re welcome,” a deep, calm voice replied. “If he didn’t marry you, he never deserved you.”

I froze.

That voice cut through the noise like ice.

Then my father appeared beside me, fawning. “Señor Montero! My apologies for the scene. The VIP section is just over there—”

“No need,” the man replied coolly. “I prefer to sit here.”

My father looked ready to protest, but the wedding host called him and Carmen to the stage.

As they left, I finally glanced at the man beside me.

Sharp suit. Cold elegance. And eyes like black diamonds.

But I didn’t have time to process him.

The ceremony continued.

“And now,” the emcee declared, “we invite the witness, Miss María Navarro, to share her words of blessing for the happy couple.”

Spotlight. Silence.

All eyes turned to me.

I stood slowly, my pride stitched into every step.

The whispers began again.

“She’s the ex…”

“What a disaster…”

“What a family…”

I climbed the steps.

Antonio and Isabel turned to me.

I took the mic and smiled sweetly.

“Today is a very special day. I’m honored to stand here as a witness at the wedding of my beloved sister and my former fiancé.”

Gasps.

“But I wish them well. A lifetime of love, many children, and deep, eternal happiness.”

I handed the mic back with a gracious nod and walked off the stage.

Applause.

Some clapped in awe. Others in mockery.

One guest shouted with cruel delight, “Bravo! Mariano’s the real winner—still gets the same son-in-law, just with a new daughter!”

Everyone laughed.

Mariano’s face turned red with shame.

Carmen hissed, “María, have you no shame?”

I smiled coldly. “The one who stole a groom shouldn’t talk about shame.”