The Calm Before Ruin

I knocked back one bitter drink after another.

I had planned every detail of that wedding for Yvette, hoping to create the most beautiful memories for her.

Countless times, I had pictured Yvette in a bridal gown, gliding down the aisle. However, I never saw yesterday's heartbreak coming–when she shattered everything we had.

My grip on the wine glass tightened as my phone buzzed frantically.

"Jayden, Yvette has fallen into the backyard lake! You..."

Ethan's voice sent me rushing outside. After all, Yvette had once saved my life.

As I searched for her, Ethan's voice floated over, laced with a longing I had never heard before. "Yvette, I may not have the luck to be your husband in this life, but if there's a next one, promise you'll marry me first?"

I turned toward him, and my heart froze. There was Ethan, cradling Yvette, his words a tender caress, "Yvette, I love you so much. Even more than Jayden."

Tears welled in Yvette's eyes, her voice a broken whisper as she replied, "Ethan, I'm sorry. I should've waited for you."

Ethan's eyes flicked to my hiding spot, his gaze a silent taunt. He kissed her forehead deliberately. "Yvette, can I slip this ring on your finger today? Even if I can't have you forever, I'll cherish this moment without regrets."

Without a second thought, Yvette nodded, her hand in Ethan's, her sobs silent. "Yes! I will."

She pulled out two rings, and my world narrowed to those bands: the wedding rings I had made for us across the seas.

The rings were a masterpiece, a year in the making by the world's finest jewelers. Only two existed. Yvette knew their worth more than anyone, so why on earth was she giving one to Ethan?

Instinct took over, and I lunged, ripping the ring from Ethan's finger. He collapsed, howling in pain.

"Jayden, I know you're furious about Yvette's first night," he gasped. "Hit me, yell at me, but don't take it out on her, okay?"

Before I could react, Yvette's high-heeled foot slammed into me.

"Jayden! Direct your anger at me! I pushed him to take the first night and the ring!

"And let's not forget, Ethan offered you my first night, and you turned it down!"

I crashed against a rock, pain coiling me into a ball, breathing a mere luxury.

Yvette towered over me, her voice dripping with disdain. "You could stomach losing the first night, but a mere ring breaks you?

"I could buy you thousands more. I've got the money!"

Money?

I was set to take over the mafia. Wealth, power, status–I had it all.

No one had ever flaunted their wealth to me. Without my undisclosed support, her company would be nothing.

I had planned to come clean on our wedding night, but she blindsided me with this 'gift' before the ceremony.

Ethan, feigning regret, clung to Yvette. "Jayden, it was me. I was deluded," he said. "I'll disappear. I won't interfere with your wedding."

Yvette shot me another withering look as she snatched the ring and slid it back onto Ethan's finger. "Forget about him! He's only this bold because I've been too nice!"

I glanced over their joined hands with a cool detachment and declared, "Fine, Yvette. Do you want this? You got it."

With that, I fought through the stabbing pain in my lower back, pushed myself to my feet, and made my way to the wedding venue's back exit.

Yvette's voice, full of haughty triumph, stopped me. "Jayden! The wedding's not done! Where do you think you're going?"

I did not look back, my stride firm and unwavering.

"There's no wedding left, Yvette. We're square."