Rebirth: A day before the wedding

Elena’s POV:

My screams still echoed in my head as my eyes snapped open. There were heavy beads of sweat on my head, and my muscles were tense, my chest heaved as though I had just run a 500m race.

But I wasn’t.

I was in my bed.

The room smelled faintly of lilies and the perfume I had worn the night I died.

No broken bones. No seawater is choking me—no final breath.

I sat up, pressing my trembling hand to my chest to check if I was really alive

I’m alive.

The clock on my dresser made an alarm sound. It was 10:00, when I usually wake up. Then I looked at my body. I was wearing the exact nightgown I wore the day before my wedding.

“No…” My whisper tore from my lips.

It wasn’t possible. The last thing I remembered was the storm on the cliffs, Ethan’s sneer, and Selena’s triumphant smirk. Their hands are on me, shoving me over the edge. My last thought, a vow whispered into the howling wind:

If I had another chance, I would burn you both to ash.

Now here I was back to the day it all began.

Fate was playing a cruel joke on me, or am I supposed to relive the moment again?

I won't let that happen at all I won't let them kill me again.

I will stop their plans against me.

The notification on my cell phone broke the silence in my room.

I froze staring at the notification, the same notification that caused my death from the same person.

For a few moments, I was scared to pick it up because I definitely knew it was from Ethan, the same man who I loved so much but ended up killing me.

For a moment I was short of breath.

Elena meet me at the balcony on the highest floor of the hotel, I would love to see you before the wedding

My mind was screaming Don't go just reject it but a stronger feeling in me wanted to go and I would but this time I wont leave there dead but alive

I replied to the message with:

Ohk Ethan can't wait to see you soon.

The day before my wedding in my past life I rested that day against the wedding day so I just did basically that till the time of the meeting reached.

I was dressed in an off-the-shoulder knee knee-length gown that hugged my curves and headed to the designated location on getting there everything happened exactly the way it had happened before.

The way Ethan and Selena talked behind my back but now I won't react until the wedding day.

I walked into the room elegantly as if I did not hear anything they said and said

“ Ethan, Selena such a wonderful surprise, the blood on their faces drained when they saw me and Selena asked me

“Elena did you hear anything”

“No Selena, was I supposed to hear anything?”

“No I just didn't wantt your surprise to be spoiled “

“Okay babes”

“Babe  you said I should come so what is the surprise you have for me”

“Elena I just wanted to spend time with you “

“That’s so sweet babe but we not suppose to see before the wedding day”

“Can't I see my babe if I am missing her?”

“Aww babes you are so sweet but we can't see today, we would see at the altar “

“No I want to see you now Elena”

“We would see at the alatr and once we are married we are married for Life, my babe so we have all the lifetime to talk and be with each other”

“Okay babe see you tomorrow,” he said

I took Selena with me as I left the room then she said she would go to her hotel room

and sleep so that she is prepared for the wedding.

As soon as she left the elevator I was able to breathe well, that was a close call if not I would have been caught but now I am relieved that I was not caught.

Now I was able to avoid my death with just a single moment.

Now I would show them who I really am.

The next few hours passed in a blink of an eye and by the time I woke up it was already the day of my wedding.

By the time the sun rose, I wasn’t a bride anymore. I was an executioner in white sithe universe itself wanted to mock me.

The mansion reverberated with sounds from every corner, and stylists moved in and out of my room, photographers hovered like vultures to get at least one picture, and distant laughter echoed from the reception hall.

I smiled for the camera tilting my head just so they could take a picture of what they thought was bliss and happiness. But with every hairpin that clipped my hair, every brush stroke of makeup that touched my face, and every silk ribbon tied around my wrist was part of my suit of armor.

Ethan stood at the altar, handsome and polished in his suit that was made just for him.

He wore the smile that once made my heart always skip a beat and my belly full of butterflies.

Beside him stood Selena my supposed best friend stood as my maid of honour more of my enemy.

She was draped in a luxurious flowing garment made from shimmering gold colour silk fabric that hugged her curves so perfectly.

Her lips curved in the same practiced sweetness that she always had on every time I saw her.

When I reached Ethan, his fingers closed over mine

“You look beautiful,” he said in a hushed tone

“Thank you”, I replied shyly

The ceremony began, the words of the officiant weaving a web around us.

The officiant said,” Ethan Cole, do you take Elena Mendez as your lawfully wedded wife in happiness, sickness, trials and tribulations, and till death do you both part?”

“Yes, I do”, replied Ethan

The crowd clapped at his answer.

Now it's my turn.

The officiant turned to me and said, "Elena Mendez, do you take Ethan Cole as ur Lawful wedded husband in happiness, sickness, and Good health, trials and tribulations, and till death do you both part?”

I breathed in heavily and said “No, I do not”

Ethan and Selena looked at me shocked

The hall erupted in loud whispers and my Mum said

“Elena do u know what u are saying”

I looked at her expressionless and said

“Mum I'm not getting married to Ethan at all”

“Why Elena”

“Elena, what did I do wrong?” Ethan said

I looked at Ethan with hate and disgust in my eyes then I turned to face the audience, my smile sharp as glass.

“You all came here to witness a wedding.

But I thought you deserved to know what else you’re witnessing—a man who has been in love with someone else for years. My best friend, Selena.”

Gasps filled the air. Selena’s painted smile faltered.

I reached up, took hold of the hem of my skirt, and ripped the lace from hem to knee, the sound of tearing fabric loud in the silence.

The pristine gown was ruined, but I stood taller than ever.

Then I turned, tossed the bouquet onto the floor, and walked down the aisle alone.

And then I turned back and said,” This marriage is called off”

Ethan’s voice followed me, hard and demanding:

“Elena! Come back here!”

I didn’t even glance over my shoulder.

“No,” I said, the word a blade between us.

You betrayed me Ethan with Selena now get ready I would pay you back tenfold for the betrayal

The hall was full with loud whispers but I didn't care

I was heading to the one person who would love to bring Ethan down by any means.

His Greatest Rival.

Damien Cross