As you stand in front of the full-length mirror, adjusting the delicate lace of your wedding dress, your hands tremble just slightly. Today was supposed to be perfect—the culmination of years of dreams and whispered promises between you and Sterling. You take a deep breath, trying to steady yourself, but your heart feels heavier than it did this morning. The soft rustle of silk fills the room as you smooth the fabric, then your phone buzzes sharply from the vanity.

You glance down, frowning at the screen. The number is unfamiliar—anonymous. Hesitantly, you swipe to open the message. Your eyes widen as a video begins to play. Sterling’s unmistakable laugh echoes from the screen, but it’s not the joyful sound you expected. The video shows him in a dimly lit bar, his arm wrapped tightly around another woman’s waist. The smile on his face isn’t for you. The kiss they share is quick but unmistakably intimate.

Your breath catches in your throat. The phone slips from your fingers, tumbling to the floor with a harsh crack as the screen shatters. Time seems to freeze. Silent tears sting your eyes and begin to spill down your cheeks, hot and relentless.

Outside the door, Jasper shifts uneasily. He’s been standing there for a while, pretending to check his watch, trying not to let his feelings show. He’s never been the type to interfere—not with Sterling, not with you. He knows the odds are stacked against him. He’s loved you for years, since you were kids climbing trees and chasing fireflies, but he never felt good enough. Never brave enough to tell you how he really felt.

Then, the sudden noise—the sharp clatter of your phone hitting the floor—breaks the quiet. Jasper’s brows knit in concern. What was that? He slides his phone into his pocket, his pulse quickening with unease. He steps closer to the door and knocks gently.

“Sunny?” His voice is low, rough around the edges, softened by worry. “Everything alright in there?”