I WENT TO MY FATHER’S ROOM TO GIVE MY GIFT BEFORE WE WERE MARRIED. BUT WHEN I HEARD HIS CONVERSATION ON THE PHONE AND THE REAL REASON WHY HE WAS MARRYING ME, MY WHOLE WORLD CAME DOWN… AND OUR WEDDING DAY BECAME THE DAY OF HIS FALL.
The Perfect Prince
I am Clara, twenty-eight years old and the only child of Don Alejandro Valderama, a billionaire and owner of the largest shipping lines in the Philippines. When my father died a year ago, he left me the entire empire. In the midst of my deep mourning, Troy arrived.
Troy was a handsome, sweet, and seemingly successful businessman from the Imperial family. He was my rock. He wiped my tears, cared for me, and made me feel like I wasn’t alone. When he proposed marriage to me, I said “Yes” without hesitation. I thought God had sent him to be my new family. I thought I had found my perfect prince.
The Secret Behind the Door
Today is our wedding. It will be held at an exclusive glass-garden resort, attended by the most famous people in society. While everyone is getting ready, I walk towards the groom’s suite. I want to surprise him and personally give him an expensive vintage watch that belonged to my late father as a gift.
When I got to the opposite side of his room, I noticed that the door was slightly ajar. I was about to open it when I heard his familiar voice. He was talking to his mother, Doña Carmela, on speakerphone.
« Mom, calm down. Everything is going according to plan, » Troy said, laughing.
“Just make sure, Troy! Our money is running out and the bank’s deadline to foreclose on our mansion is coming up! We need to get that woman’s money!” his mother replied sharply from the other line.
I frowned. Foreclose? All the money gone? All I know is that the Imperial family is very rich.
“Don’t worry, Ma,” Troy replied with a smile, his voice like a stranger I had only just heard. “I hate it when I kiss that Clara. She’s so boring and makes me cry! But I have to endure. The moment we say ‘I do’ at the altar and sign the marriage contract, I will be her legal wife.”
« And our plans for your honeymoon in Paris? » his mother asked.
Troy laughed horrifyingly. “It’s all ironed out, Ma. I’ve already talked to our people there. When we get to Paris, there’s going to be an ‘accident’ in our car. They’re going to kill Clara but they’re going to make sure I survive. Since we don’t have a pre-nuptial agreement and I’m the only legal wife, I’ll get the entire billion-dollar inheritance from Don Alejandro. We’ll pay off all the debts, and Vanessa will be with me forever.”
The Collapse of the World
It felt like a grenade had been detonated in my chest. My knees buckled and I nearly fell to the floor. All the air was gone from my lungs.
The man I trusted with my life… the man I thought loved me… would kill me after marriage to steal my wealth?! And he has another woman named Vanessa?!
I bit my lip until it bled, trying to hold back my sobs. All the love in my heart died. The intense pain was quickly replaced by a burning, deadly rage.
I didn’t run or cry out loud. I took my cellphone from my bag, pointed the camera at the crack in the door, and secretly recorded the last part of their conversation.
« Okay, son. Improve your acting later at the altar. Cry so people will believe you love him, » Doña Carmela’s final instructions.
“Of course, Mom. Me too. Bye.”
When the call died, I silently retreated and quickly returned to my bridal suite. My whole body was shaking, but not from fear, but from a thirst for justice. I took out my phone and called my head of security and my father’s best friend who was an NBI general.
The Altar of Traitors
The ceremony began. The music was so beautiful and dramatic. I walked down the aisle wearing my million-peso wedding gown. At the end of the altar, Troy stood, trying to hold back his tears as he smiled at me.
If I hadn’t heard their conversation earlier, I would have thought he was the most honest man in the world. But now, all I see is a demon in disguise. Sitting in the VIP row was his mother, Doña Carmela, smiling and pretending to cry with joy.
When I reached the altar, Troy took my hands. “You are so beautiful, my love. I can’t wait to be your wife,” he whispered softly.
I smiled. A smile that didn’t reach my eyes.
The priest spoke. After a long sermon, it came to the most important question.
