In many ways, their marriage reminded me that life is filled with second chances—not always in the form we expect, but always in ways we need.
For them, it was a second chance at love, forged through tragedy and sacrifice. For me, it was a second chance at humility, a chance to let go of resentment and open my heart to something greater than pride.
I may never have the love story I once dreamed of with Javier. But I have something else now: the wisdom to know that true love is never about appearances. It is about the courage to stand beside someone, no matter what life brings.
And perhaps, someday, that lesson will lead me to a love of my own.
That selfish thought lit a fire in me. I was determined to attend the wedding, not to celebrate, but to show off. To shine brighter. To prove that I was the woman he should have never let go.
Preparing to Be Seen
That night, I stood in front of my mirror for hours. I wanted to be unforgettable.
I slipped into a crimson dress that clung to me like a second skin. My hair, carefully curled, fell in perfect waves. My makeup was flawless, every detail calculated to dazzle.
In my mind, I rehearsed the moment: me walking into the wedding hall, heads turning, whispers spreading, and comparisons drawn. I would be radiant, powerful, untouchable. And she—confined to her wheelchair—would pale in my shadow.
It was cruel. It was vain. But at the time, it felt like justice.
The Grand Entrance
