Chapter 1 Betrayal

Lilith’s POV

“Do you take Lilith Rain to be your lawfully wedded wife?”

I smiled and stared at Poppy lovingly as we held hands and stood at the altar. The hall was quiet as everyone waited for his response.

“Poppy...” I whispered when he took too long to respond.

“Do you take Lilith Rain to be your lawfully wedded wife?” the priest repeated, louder this time.

“No—” Poppy murmured and took a step back, causing my hands to fall limp by my side.

“What are you doing?” I asked, my smile turning to a frown.

“I c-can’t do this,” he stuttered, taking yet another step away from me.

Loud murmurs erupted from the crowd, but I tried to brush it off. Maybe he was just nervous.

“Are you nervous? We can talk—”

“I don’t love you. I’m sorry.”

“What?”

Loud gasps filled the air as I stared at Poppy like he had grown two heads. We’ve been dating for two years, and I thought we were in love until this moment. Was this some sort of prank?

“I would be ruining our lives if we got married,” he said with a distant look. He took another step backward, and now he was standing beside Jay, his best friend.

I knew that look; he always had that look when his mind was made up. I felt weak when I realized it wasn’t a prank.

“This is about Diana, isn’t it?” I accused, blinking rapidly to keep my tears at bay.

“No. I am in love with Jay.”

My heart shattered as I watched them weave their fingers together like two lost lovers. By now, loud whispers filled the air.

“Lilith… I have always loved Jay. I just didn’t know how to tell you.”

“You are rejecting me for a man?!” My voice trembled, and I couldn’t hold back my tears any longer.

Two years… after everything, the place he chose to end it was at the altar, just as we were about to exchange our nuptial vows. Why? Because he just realized he couldn’t ruin three lives… but while he might not have ruined his or his boyfriend’s, he had completely destroyed mine.

I stumbled back, my hands and legs trembling. I dared to glance at the crowd, and when I saw the looks on their faces, I couldn't bear it anymore.

“Lilith… breathe. Just… breathe…” Ravenna, my best friend and bridesmaid, cooed beside me as she held my arm. Her voice was only a blur to my ears.

With a pained scream, I took off and ran for the exit. I could feel the heat of a thousand gazes on me, even though we were in a small church.

“Lilith!”

I slowed down immediately at the call of my name. A whimper escaped my lips the moment I turned and saw Ariel in her wheelchair, her slim hand stretched out to me.

“Why are you leaving me behind?”

The muscles in my neck tightened as I tried to suppress the cries that threatened to break free. Tears lined her reddened cheeks as her lips trembled. I swiped the tears from my own face as I cupped hers. Seeing my kid sister like this broke my heart. I couldn't break down in front of her; it might kill the girl. I had to be strong.

“No… look here, Ariel,” I said with a sniff. “Why are you crying? I am not crying, am I?” I faked a grin, biting the inside of my lip as I struggled to hold back the flood.

She stared at my soaked face intently, not believing a word. “Lilith… your wedding is…”

“It is nothing, Ariel…” I said, swallowing hard. I grabbed the handle of the wheelchair and assured her, “We’ve always survived. Ariel, we will survive this too.”

I threw one last glance toward Poppy, hoping he would come after me, but my lips trembled when I saw him and Jay holding hands, lost in their own world. I slowly pushed Ariel out of the church. A single tear lined my face, my expression blank as I muttered, “We will survive this… too.”

“It’s his loss… you know that, right?” Ravenna said as she passed me a bowl of ice cream. My gaze was fixed on the TV, though I was too disturbed to focus.

I knew Ravenna was trying to cheer me up; she had reached my apartment shortly after I returned. But I might just burst into tears if I opened my mouth. Breaking down was the last thing I needed. Ignoring the dull ache in my chest, I stuffed a chunk of ice cream into my mouth and sank deeper into the sofa.

“Lilith… you have been mute since I got here. If you want me to leave, just tell me…”

“I just don’t—”

My sentence was cut short when I caught sight of Ariel’s nurse racing down the stairs.

“Ma’am… Ma’am, it’s Ariel… it’s Ariel!” she stuttered, rushing toward me. I jumped off the sofa, grabbing her arms as I stared at her wide-eyed, my heart rate spiking.

“What happened to Ariel?”

“Not breathing… she is not bre—”

“Fuck!”

I didn’t wait for her to finish before I flew up the stairs to Ariel’s room. I found her sprawled on the floor. I whimpered and dropped to my knees, picking her up into my arms while the nurse supported her head.

“Call 911!” I yelled to Ravenna, who fumbled with her phone.

“Four months… is all she has left if she doesn’t get the bone surgery.”

“No…” I breathed, getting to my feet. “No, Doctor… you have been managing her condition for seven years. It shouldn’t be a problem now.”

He dropped his head sadly. “I wish there was a miracle, Lilith… but…”

But. I hated that word so much right now. It made me want to pull my hair out and cry until I couldn’t feel this helpless anymore.

“But what? My sister is dying? The only person I have left in this goddamn world?” I said, my voice trembling.

“Unless she gets the surgery.”

I covered my face, breathing into my palms as I paced the doctor’s office. “What’s the cost?”

“Three million,” he said.

His words, like an arrow, pierced through my chest. I placed my hand on the table to steady myself, taking raspy breaths. How could I come up with three million in four months? I couldn’t even do that in four years. My karate coach and waiter jobs wouldn't even make five hundred thousand.

“Is that the only option?” I whispered.

“Yes.”

Yes. Then I had to find a way. I couldn't lose Ariel. She was my world.

“Oh God…” I cried as I spun and dashed out of his office, my vision blurry with tears.