The all glass Whittler Mansion was alive with laughter and giggles, and not even my future mother-in-law's endless complaints could overshadow my spirits. I was having a moment, feeling alienated in my struggle to conquer political success. I felt giddy with excitement tonight, nonetheless, it was my own wedding celebration nonetheless.
I thrived in the packed chaos of the room, basking in the extravagance of it all. Everything was perfectly curated :The waiters in all-white marching to and fro with champagne trays, the buzzing media photographers shouldering camera's larger than life, the crystal vases iced with fresh purple flowers. All for a purpose, a means to an end.
Appearances meant everything in politics.
While my head was satisfied with the attendance of haughty Senators, solemn Judges and suited big businessmen, it was my heart that filled with warmth at seeing the presence of Alice, Emmett, Jasper and Rosalie. My childhood friends.
Life had gotten in the way, we'd all gone our separate paths, but in our of hearts we were all still thick and thieves. They were the only one's I knew were truly on my side since my father's disastrously embarrassing political scandal.
Still, it was odd. Did they not mention that they were super busy? None of them had RSVPED.
My pale brown eyes narrowed - I knew all of them well enough to suspect something big was up.
I sighed. Or maybe I was overthinking it.
The crowd centered around the towering wedding cake. The skies outside the crystal clear walls of the mansion exploded with hot fireworks.
I had just picked up the heavy knife to cut into the frosted cup when the energy of the room shifted.
An armed entourage had just made a grand entrance into the room. Eagled-eyed snipers surrounded one man striding into the room, effortlessly drawing everyone's attention to him.
Murmurs swept through the crowd. Adorned in a perfectly tailored black suit that accentuated his powerful physique, he flamboyantly marched on the ramp with an air of unparalleled confidence.
My face paled in terror as I finally saw who it was.
I had almost forgotten him.
Almost.
A collective gasp swept through the crowd as Edward's presence dominated the spotlight. Adorned in a perfectly tailored black suit that accentuated his powerful physique, he flamboyantly marched on the ramp with an air of unparalleled confidence.
His impeccably styled auburn hair caught the ambient light, and the subtle glint of his cufflinks added a touch of sophistication to his charismatic swagger.
Whispers of admiration and amazement flowed through the room like an electric current. Women from all walks of life couldn't resist stealing longing glances in his direction.
Two young women, their eyes shining with infatuation and desperation, stood at the periphery of the gathering.
"Oh my goodness, is that Edward? He looks even more handsome than I remember!" One whispered to the other.
Her friend nodded, passionately agreeing with a mutual stance. "Absolutely! I never could have imagined him in Seattle. Can you believe our luck? I've always had a thing for him."
And so casually, while passing by, she dropped dead right in front of him and sighed dreamily. "He's like a living dream."
As Edward moved closer, their excitement grew palpable. These girls couldn't resist praising Ethan who fell right out of nowhere in Seattle , almost a decade later.
"Should we try talking to him?" The girls whispered to each other.
Before they could decide, Edward's swaggered forward, continuing his charismatic journey through the enchanted crowd. The two girls exchanged glances, their hearts still fluttering from the brief encounter.
In that intoxicating moment, Edward moved ahead, effortlessly casting his spell, leaving the women in the hall utterly captivated by his statement entrance and undeniable charm.
Women around me seemed to swoon in his presence back when we were younger, and it was just the same, probably even more now. I noticed the girls fanning themselves and hyperventilating in his direction.
"Can we talk?" Edward's voice cut through the festivities like a knife.
I was still spinning in shock, unable to process Edward's presence on my special day, and couldn't understand why he wanted to talk to me after all that had happened. After all this time.
"Not a chance," Ryan drawled, his protective instincts flaring as he blocked Edward from walking in my direction.
"Over my dead body," Elishka added with a defiant tone.
My overprotective friends were always there to step in at any given moment when I dearly needed them, and by the look on my face, this was definitely the most appropriate action they could've taken.
But how could we forget? We were dealing with Edward Cullen. His approach was of course strategic. He was not going to make a typical appearance, and of course, had his unbeatable entry planned. Out of nowhere, a lackey of his unveiled a sparkling diamond necklace crowned in a royal velvet red velvet case.
It was a piece for the world to see - the crowd around us gasped.
"A gift for the lovely bride," he drawled. I forced a smile on my face and gracefully handed over the velvet case to a staff attendant to safekeep - but I knew, I knew that enemies often came bearing gifts.
He leaned to politely air kiss me, but his rough hands locked around my waist.
"Once upon a time ago," he whispered, his voice low and calculated, "I fell for your act, Bella Swan, and I paid the price…. But this time….this time, it will be you and your entire family."
I tightened my grip on the necklace, my fingers trembling ever so slightly. "Edward, you have no idea what you're talking about."
Edward leaned in closer, his eyes burning with a mixture of anger and something else—perhaps a hint of regret.
"Oh, I think I do," he said, his voice softening. "I know exactly what you're up to, Rosalie." He winked and fled.
The smirk on his face was enough to convince me that this man was more than just his money. He was shrewd, aware of my deepest, darkest intentions. That all this fanfare was a desperate ditch effort to win elections, and to secure power at any cost. I wasn't born yesterday, honey! I may be the ghost finally catching up to haunt you after you left me dead 10 years ago. Or has that slipped your dream?" Edward laughed as he slightly threw a series of threats at me. That too on my special day.
My heart fell in dismay. Here I wished he'd know, without me having to tell him, that I never meant to play villain in his story. How I was forced to.
I was still recovering from the shock and consequences of my family's financial and social ruin. Distressed over the impending surgery my mother needed which neither I or "the best father in the world" could not shamelessly afford. Loan sharks hounded our telephones day in and out. On top of it, I had received my third warning of Poppy being kicked out of her private school. It was surely a heavy burden, but was it enough to be further berated in the eyes of Edward?
My heart pounded in my chest. How could he know all of this? My secrets were tightly guarded, or so I thought. If anything, I feared Aaron and my to be in-laws to know just exactly how broke my family and I were. It would just give my mother in law from hell more ammo against me.
Alice and Jasper exchanged worried glances. The tension in the room was palpable, and the guests, oblivious to the brewing storm, continued to thrive in the festivities.
"Edward, what do you want?" I finally managed to say, my voice trembling.
His lips curled into a sadistic smile.
"I want you to suffer, my Bella," he warned. "Once upon a time, I would have done anything for you. You and your family changed that and for that, you and your loved ones will have to pay the price."