The Gown She Stole

On the eve of our wedding, our friends threw a rehearsal dinner party for Ethan and me in a private dining room at a restaurant. After a few drinks, someone suggested a game of Truth or Dare. The bottle spun and pointed straight at Ethan’s childhood friend, Chloe. The group cheered. "Dare you to confess the worst thing you’ve done recently!" Chloe laughed, her eyes locking onto mine. "Two days ago, I shredded Aster’s main wedding dress. I just really wanted to see her cry." My face drained of color. I stared at Ethan in total disbelief. Two days ago, when my gown was ruined, he held me all night as I wept, whispering that he’d protect me forever and never let anyone hurt me. Now, our friends turned their teasing eyes to him. "Alright, Ethan, do you dare admit what you were doing when it happened?" Ethan paused for two seconds, his eyes softening with unmistakable affection as he looked at Chloe. "I was helping Chloe pick out the scissors. I didn't want her clumsy hands to get hurt." "Afterward, she panicked about getting blamed, so she begged me to go buy Aster a replacement." "She looked so exhausted trying to pick one out that I just bought the whole rack." I froze in place, a suffocating ache crushing my chest. Finally, one of his buddies pointed out the window at the luxury bridal boutique across the street. "So, do you dare take Chloe over there right now to try on one of the new dresses?" Ethan gave a helpless, fond chuckle. Taking Chloe by the hand, he walked her out toward the boutique amid the crowd's cheers. In that exact second, I realized tomorrow’s wedding didn’t need to happen anymore. The cheers in the private room felt like sharp slaps to my face. I stared out the window, unable to look away from the bridal boutique across the street. Through the floor-to-ceiling glass, I saw Ethan walk in, holding Chloe’s hand. That boutique was where he had spent six months hiring a French designer to custom-make my wedding gown. Two days ago, when the train of that dress was slashed open, Ethan had held my trembling body, kissing my forehead and swearing: "Aster, don't cry. I’ll make them repair it overnight. You’ll be the most breathtaking bride tomorrow, I promise." Yet right now, that very same custom dress was on Chloe, completely intact. It wasn’t ruined beyond repair. He just never wanted me to wear it. I pushed open the door and walked into the boutique. The chime above the entrance jingled, and everyone turned to look at me. Ethan was on one knee, gently adjusting Chloe's train. He looked up at her with a tender, devoted focus that used to belong solely to me. "Ethan, how does it look?" Chloe twirled, lifting the skirt. "Beautiful," Ethan stood up, his voice firm. "Honestly, this dress was designed with your vibe in mind all along." My breath hitched. Designed for her? Then what was I doing for the past six months, showing up for endless fittings and tailoring adjustments? "Ethan." My voice came out raw and hoarse. The second he saw me, the tenderness vanished from his eyes. His brow furrowed, and his first instinct was to step forward, shielding Chloe behind him. "What are you doing here?" he snapped defensively. "Didn't I tell you to stay at the party?" I pointed at the gown on Chloe, my finger shaking uncontrollably. "That's my wedding dress." Instantly, Chloe’s eyes welled with tears. She grabbed Ethan's sleeve. "Aster, I’m so sorry. I just wanted to try it on. My health is so bad... the doctors said I might not make it past thirty. I’ll probably never get to wear a dress this gorgeous in my life. I just wanted to feel like a bride for one minute." The friends who had followed us in immediately jumped to her defense. "Aster, can you stop being so petty? Chloe's just trying it on, she’s not going to ruin it." "Ethan bought an entire rack of gowns to make it up to you anyway. What more do you want?" "Chloe's dealing with so much right now. Can't you show a little basic empathy?" Their accusations pelted me like stones, painting me as a bitter, jealous shrew. I locked eyes with Ethan, stubbornly waiting for him to defend me. Instead, he just looked at me coldly. "Aster, stop making a scene." He marched over and gripped my shoulders, his hold so tight I couldn't pull away. "I’ve spoiled you too much, and now you don't know when to quit. Chloe is just trying it on. Apologize to her right now, and we’ll drop this." I stared at him in pure disbelief. "You want "me" to apologize to "her"?" "You frightened her." Nearby, someone lifted their phone to record. "I’m posting this on Ins. Let everyone see the true colors of Ethan’s bride-to-be. She’s completely toxic." I fought against his grip. "Let go of me! I didn't do anything wrong! Why should I apologize?!" Ethan's face completely darkened. He yanked me closer, his voice dropping into a harsh threat. "Aster, my patience is wearing thin. If you dare walk out that door tonight, you can figure out what to do with tomorrow's wedding yourself." Tears finally spilled over. I shoved him away with every ounce of strength I had left. "Fine by me." I turned on my heel and bolted out of the boutique without looking back.I didn’t go back to the restaurant. I went straight to the apartment Ethan and I shared. The moment the front door opened, the overpowering scent of lily of the valley hit my nose. It was Chloe’s signature perfume. My light blue house slippers had been kicked into a dusty corner, replaced by a pair of pink bunny slippers right by the rack. Her white trench coat was draped carelessly over the sofa, and several copies of our wedding itinerary lay on the coffee table. I picked up the top copy and noticed a new entry squeezed right after the ring exchange: [Friends' Blessing Segment: The bride escorts Chloe to the stage, where the groom presents Chloe with a blessed necklace, wishing everyone future happiness.] My own wedding, and I was expected to walk another woman onto the stage so my fiancé could hand her a gift? My phone buzzed incessantly. Ethan’s childhood friend had posted a video in our wedding planning SnapChat group. Chloe was sitting in front of a vanity, wearing my custom bridal gown. Ethan stood behind her, tenderly fastening the "Heart of Eternity" around her neck. That was the very diamond necklace he had given me when he proposed. He had promised me it represented a love that was rare, pure, and eternal. The caption beneath the video read: [Childhood sweethearts really are the ultimate match. Some things forced together will fall apart sooner or later.] A flood of replies quickly filled the chat. [Honestly, Chloe looks way more like Ethan's wife.] [Might as well let her be the bride tomorrow.] Ethan didn't tell them off. Instead, he gave the message a 'like'. The lock clicked, and Ethan walked in, smelling of alcohol and that sickening lily of the valley perfume. Seeing me on the sofa, his brow instantly knit together. "Why did you run off? You made a total fool of yourself back there." I hurled the printed itinerary right at his chest. "What the hell is this?" He glanced down at it indifferently. "Just an interactive segment. Chloe is sick. What’s wrong with me giving her a special blessing at my wedding?" "By putting my engagement necklace around her neck? You call that a blessing?" Ethan’s gaze turned icy. He strode over and pinched my chin, forcing my head up. "Aster, stop throwing tantrums. Chloe loved it, so I let her borrow it for one day. You're already the woman I'm marrying. Why do you constantly have to pick fights with a dying person?" Pain shot through my jaw from his bruising grip. I glared into his eyes. "What am I to you, Ethan?" "...just a tool to show off how generous and forgiving you are?" He roughly brushed my tears away. "You're the woman I chose to marry. I'm offering you a status and a lavish life most people could only dream of. But Chloe is the girl I grew up protecting. I won't let anyone mistreat her—and that includes you." Releasing his grip, he issued a cold command: "Tomorrow, in front of all our family and friends, you will give Chloe a formal apology." "Otherwise, don't bother showing up to the wedding." With that, he walked into the guest bedroom and slammed the door shut. I sat alone on the freezing sofa, staring at the apartment now littered with another woman's belongings, the very last ember of warmth in my heart completely dying out.The next morning, I didn't go to the bridal suite at the venue. Ethan's assistant called more than a dozen times, but I ignored every single ring. It wasn't until close to noon, minutes before the ceremony was scheduled to begin, that I caught an Uber and headed to the venue. The moment I reached the entrance of the ballroom, I froze in my tracks. The large welcome board at the door—which was supposed to be our beachside engagement portrait—had been replaced with a solo portrait of Chloe. She was wearing my custom designer gown, smiling sweetly. The elegant lettering on the sign still read: [Celebrating the Wedding of Ethan and Aster]. Yet the face on display was Chloe’s. Whispers broke out among the arriving guests. "Wait, isn't this Ethan's wedding? Why isn't the woman on the sign the bride?" "Don't you know? That's his childhood best friend. Word is Aster threw a massive fit and brought her to tears yesterday. Ethan's clearly putting her in her place." "She took someone else's spot, and now that his real love is back, she obviously has to step aside." I had been turned into the laughingstock of the room, my dignity completely shredded. Straightening my spine, I pushed open the heavy ballroom doors. The hall was ablaze with crystal chandeliers, packed with hundreds of guests. Up on the stage stood Ethan in his tailored tuxedo. Next to him was Chloe, wearing my wedding dress, with the "Heart of Eternity" glistening around her neck. The entire hall fell dead silent the second I stepped inside. Ethan’s brows knitted tight, annoyance flashing in his eyes. "What are you doing here? Didn't I tell you to stay home and reflect on your behavior?" One step at a time, I walked up toward the stage, looking at the man I had loved for three years. "It’s my wedding. Why shouldn't I be here?" Chloe shrank back behind Ethan as if terrified. "Aster, please don't be mad. I was just standing in for the rehearsal walk-through. Now that you're here, I'll give it back right away." She reached up to unfasten the necklace, but the delicate chain snapped. The necklace hit the hardwood stage, its diamond throwing off blinding glints under the spotlights. Chloe let out a startled gasp. Stumbling backward, she crashed directly into the towering champagne tower beside her. Dozens of crystal glasses wobbled and crashed down in an explosive, deafening roar, spraying champagne everywhere. Ethan’s immediate instinct was to pull Chloe against his chest, shielding her with his entire back. I was standing on the other side of the falling tower. Heavy glass and the jagged metal tier smashed violently against my shins, razor-sharp shards slicing deep into my flesh. Blood welled up instantly, pooling down my legs and soaking into the pale carpet. A sharp gasp tore from my throat as the searing pain buckled my knees. I collapsed onto the floor. Ethan didn't even cast a single glance in my direction. Frantic with worry, he checked Chloe from head to toe, his voice trembling with panic. "Chloe, are you hurt? Did any glass cut you?" Chloe shook her head tearfully, pointing at the broken chain on the floor. "Ethan, the necklace... it broke..." Only then did Ethan turn to look down at me, his eyes freezing over with pure disgust. "Are you satisfied now, Aster?" He towered over me, his gaze dripping with resentment. "Do you really have to ruin everything for everyone just to feel happy?" Clutching my bleeding shin, my fingers slick with crimson, I looked up at the man who had once sworn he’d protect me with his life. "Ethan, I’m the one bleeding." He swept a careless glance over my mangled leg, without a flicker of pity. "You brought this on yourself. If you hadn't come here to make a scene, none of this would have happened." One of Chloe's friends immediately chimed in. "Exactly! Aster, how calculating can you be? You're actually hurting yourself just to play the victim!" "Ethan told you to stay home, but you just had to barge in and sabotage the wedding. If Chloe has a cardiac episode from this shock, can you even take responsibility?!"The cut was deep, and the blood wouldn't stop flowing. Yet in a room filled with hundreds of people, not a single soul stepped forward to help me. They all crowded around Ethan and Chloe, fussing over them, terrified that Chloe might suffer the slightest emotional distress. Dragging my bleeding leg, I pulled myself toward an empty chair and sank into it. Ripping off a strip from the hem of my skirt, I clumsily tied it around the wound. It burned like fire. Yet it was nothing compared to the slow, agonizing death of my heart. I looked up at the picture-perfect couple on the stage. Ethan had taken off his suit jacket, draping it over Chloe’s shoulders while murmuring gentle comfort into her ear. "Don't cry. It's just a necklace. If it's broken, it's broken. I’ll buy you a better one later." Chloe leaned into his chest, her voice sweet and fragile. "But... that was Aster’s engagement necklace. She must hate me to death." Ethan let out a cold, quiet sneer. It wasn't loud, but it cut straight into my ears with lethal clarity. "What right does she have to hate you?" "This wedding was only ever meant to appease my parents and check a box. Don't you know who's actually in my heart?" My hands froze mid-knot. So, even this wedding was just a chore to him. I stood up, dragging my injured leg, and walked back up to them step by step. Seeing me approach, Ethan’s expression turned utterly foul. "What are you still standing around for? Haven't you embarrassed yourself enough?" I ignored his words entirely. Instead, I lifted my left hand and slipped the diamond engagement ring off my finger. This was the ring he had slipped onto my hand when he proposed on bended knee. I once believed it stood for a lifetime of devotion. Now, it was just a sick punchline. I tossed the ring straight into the shattered glass at his feet. "Ethan, call off the wedding." Ethan blinked, momentarily stunned, as if his brain couldn't register the words. A beat later, a dangerous storm gathered in his eyes. He took an intimidating step toward me, radiating raw dominance. "Aster, do you have any idea what you're saying?" "I do." I met his gaze head-on, my voice eerily calm even to my own ears. "We're done. We're breaking up." A split-second flicker of panic crossed his features, quickly masked by boiling rage. He reached out to grab my shoulder with his usual controlling authority. "What kind of childish tantrum is this now? The invitations were sent out, both our families are here, and now you want to cancel?" "Come to the bridal suite with me, get that scratch cleaned up, and we'll proceed as planned. I don't have time to indulge your desperate ploys for attention." He honestly believed that a tiny softening of his tone would make me bend, just like I always did. I simply stepped back, dodging his reach. Right at that moment, Chloe suddenly clutched her chest, groaning in agony as she sank down. "Ethan... my chest hurts so bad..." Ethan's focus snapped instantly. He spun around, dropping to his knees to gather Chloe into his arms. "Chloe, hold on! I’m taking you to the hospital right now!" Lifting her, he stormed toward the exit. As he brushed past me, he didn't even pause. He only tossed a frigid warning over his shoulder: "You better pray to God that nothing happens to Chloe. Stay here and think about what you’ve done. I’ll deal with you when I get back." Watching his desperate, frantic stride, I didn't shed a single tear. I pulled out my phone and sent a text to the wedding planning agency: [The wedding is canceled. Please process the refunds and settle the remaining balance per the contract.] Once sent, I blocked Ethan across every single platform and app. Dragging my bleeding leg, I limped out of the ballroom one excruciating step at a time. The midday sun outside was blinding. I shut my eyes, taking a long, deep breath. When I opened them again, I hailed a cab. "Take me to the airport, please." Back inside the venue... Ethan reached the main double doors with Chloe in his arms when, out of nowhere, his heart violently missed a beat. Subconsciously, he glanced back toward the spot where I had been standing. It was completely empty. All that remained was an alarming pool of crimson blood, and a solitary diamond ring abandoned amid the shattered glass. Ethan's pupils constricted into pinpricks, the arms holding Chloe locking stiff in an instant.