His First Love Stole My Wedding

While I was trying on my wedding dress, Julians best friend suddenly tagged me on Snapchat:

Stella, the invitations are shipping the day after tomorrow. Have you noticed the brides name isnt yours yet?

Looking at myself in the mirror, draped in the pure white gown, my mind went entirely blank.

The next second, a voice note from Julians childhood buddy, Carter, popped up in the group:

"I bet Julian a grand that you wouldn't notice until you got the physical invite. He changed the bride's name to Melody."

"Youre way too carefree, Stella. Tell Julian to change it back quick, or are we still having a wedding?"

I slowly unzipped the wedding dress, feeling a sudden wave of nausea wash over me.

Melody Evans was Julians first lovethe legendary "one that got away" in their elite social circle.

Yet, marrying me was a vow Julian had made solemnly in front of both of our families.

And now, during the wedding prep, they were using my self-respect as a pawn for their bets.

"Julian, youre wicked. I bet shell be crying and begging you to take her back once she finds out."

"I bet she won't even dare to lose her temper. Whoever loses pays for next month's yacht party."

Then, a special notification buzzed on my phone.

Melody had posted a photoset on Instagram, wearing a limited-edition wedding gown.

[Thank you for giving me my dream wedding dress, Julian~]

Beneath it, Julian had commented with a red heart emoji.

I calmly tapped the "like" button on her post.

Then, I deleted the Snapchat wedding planning group and booked a one-way ticket to Alaska.

The wedding was off. Id rather go freeze in the mountain wind to clear my mind and wash the dirt from my eyes.

The harsh fluorescent lights of the bridal boutique reflected off the mirror. I folded the heavy train section by section and handed it back to the assistant.

The assistant hurried after me with a measuring tape, smiling. "Miss Vance, do we still need to take another half-inch off the waist? Mr. Sterling said everything has to be absolutely perfect."

I looked at the white tulle in her hands, my voice flat. "No need. Cancel the order. Give this dress to the next customer."

The assistant froze, chasing me down with the contract. "Miss Vance, if you cancel now, the fitting fees and the deposit cannot be refunded."

I pulled my card from my designer bag and pressed the pen down. "Deduct whatever you need to. Just don't contact Julian Sterling again, and don't call my parents."

When I walked out of the store, the afternoon sun was so blinding it made my eyes water. On my phone, the wedding planner was still messaging me about the color palette of the flower wall.

I leaned against the sidewalk railing, systematically canceling the hotel block, the florist, the makeup artist, and the limo service. The cancellation fees drained five thousand dollars from my account instantly.

The wedding planner sounded incredibly hesitant. "Miss Vance, does Mr. Sterling know about this? He just called this morning to change the bride's nameplates to Miss Evans. He said it was just a joke..."

Staring at the transaction success screen, I said softly, "He likes to play games. Let him plan the rest himself."

My mothers call cut in. In the background, I could hear the loud laughter of her country club friends. She lowered her voice, but couldn't hide her smug excitement:

"Stella! Julians assistant just delivered a trunk of designer perfumes and limited-edition bags. Everyone here is talking about how lucky you are."

"He also promised you the biggest wedding in the city. Stop being so stubborn. Men have to socialize. Just swallow your pride and itll pass."

I asked her, "Mom, what if the name on the invitation isn't mine?"

My mother paused, her voice instantly turning cold and sharp. "Don't talk nonsense. A man like Julian willing to marry you is a miracle for our family. Don't make a scene over nothing and embarrass both families."

I let out a soft laugh. "I get it. Enjoy the bags, Mom."

After hanging up, I dialed Julian. The moment the call connected, Melody's soft, giggling voice drifted into my ear first.

Someone in the background cheered, "Julian, Stella is checking up on you! Coax her quick, or the bride might actually run away."

Julians voice sounded incredibly dismissive. "Stella, what is it now?"

I watched the passing traffic and asked, "Was it fun, betting on my name on the invitations?"

His side went quiet for a second, followed quickly by the clinking of champagne glasses. Julian chuckled, "The invitations haven't even been printed yet. I'll have them changed back tomorrow. Melody just got back to the country. The guys were just trying to make her feel welcome."

I replied, "So my dignity is just a cheap token for you to please her?"

Julian clicked his tongue in irritation. "Youre about to become Mrs. Sterling. Cant you show a little grace? Melody is in poor health. She just wanted to wear a wedding dress once to fulfill a bucket list wish."

Melodys gentle voice floated over. "Julian, don't fight with Stella because of me. I'll take the dress off and give it back to her right now."

Julians tone instantly softened. "Its not your fault. She's just been in a mood lately."

I looked down and saw Melodys Instagram had updated again. Next to two movie tickets was Julians hand resting on the steering wheel.

That Cartier watch was something I bought him after pulling double shifts for six months at the animal shelter.

Her caption read: [Thank you for always being my safety net for the rest of my life.]

When Julian spoke to me again, his patience was completely gone. "Stella, can you not be such a buzzkill? Youre acting like a psychopath."

The call went dead. I stood at the subway entrance and cleared every single photo from our shared album with one tap.

My phone buzzed again. Julian had Venmoed me five thousand dollars with a note: "Go buy a bag. Stop throwing a tantrum."

Standing at the turnstile, I declined the transfer and put Julian's profile on "Do Not Disturb."

He quickly sent a text: "Stella, thats enough. Take the exit ramp Im giving you. Don't wait until I lose my patience."

I let out a cold laugh and didn't reply.

That night, I went back to our penthouse and started packing my things.

As the cardboard boxes piled up in the corner, I threw my animal shelter ID badge right into one.

Just last week, Julians mother had told me, "A Sterling daughter-in-law rolling around in the dirt with stray animals is embarrassing." So, I had handed in my resignation.

Thinking about it now, it was utterly pathetic.

As I bent down to grab the packing tape, Julians FaceTime call suddenly flashed on my screen.

I answered. The screen showed the warm, upscale lighting of a boutique pet store.

Melody was standing next to him, cradling a ragdoll cat, while Julian held a bag of imported cat food. He frowned. "Why did you decline the money?"

I taped the box shut. "Don't need it."

Julian said coldly, "You don't need it? Does your pathetic salary even cover the wedding cancellation fees? Don't make yourself look cheap just to spite me."

Melody leaned closer to the camera, her eyes perfectly rimmed with tears. "Stella, are you mad at Julian because I tried on the wedding dress yesterday?"

I looked at the cat in her arms and warned quietly, "That cat has discharge in its ears. You should probably stop taking photos and take it to a vet first."

Melodys face stiffened. Julian instantly blocked the lens. "Can you stop talking to people like they're stray mutts?"

My hand holding the tape froze.

He used to love watching me treat injured animals. He used to say that when I bent down to help them, I practically glowed.

Melody bit her lip. "Its all my fault. My health is bad, and having a wedding dress photo shoot was just a silly dream of mine. I'll delete the photos right now."

Julian wrapped an arm around her shoulder, his voice softening. "Don't delete anything. You did nothing wrong."

When he turned back to me, his face was like ice. "Stella, look at how sweet Melody is, and look at you. Your petty jealousy is exhausting."

I folded the top of the box. "You two deserve each other."

Julian didn't seem to process it. He went silent for two seconds before laughing. "Fine. Keep playing your little drama. Ill have my assistant reprint the invitations tomorrow."

I hung up. The Sterling family group chat was blowing up with new notifications.

Julians mother had posted nine photos with the caption: [Finally met the lovely Melody whom Julian always talks about. So elegant and polite. No wonder everyone adores her.]

The photos were from an exclusive Sterling family brunch. Melody sat right next to Victoria Sterling, and Julian was leaning in to serve her food.

Victoria Sterling messaged me privately soon after: [Stella, Melody has traveled a long way back. We are just hosting her. Don't overthink this. A Sterling bride needs to show some class.]

I replied: [Mrs. Sterling, Julian and I are over. The wedding is canceled.]

She called me immediately, her voice sharp and demanding. "What is wrong with you? Julian is willing to settle down and marry you, which is already giving your family plenty of face."

I put the phone on speaker on the table and continued taping my boxes.

She tried to suppress her rage. "Melody is Julians first love. Its normal for a man to have a past. If you hold on too tight, youll only push him away."

I said, "Then let him go."

The line went quiet for a moment before Victoria sneered. "Don't you dare regret this. The Vance family has accepted so many of our favors. If we make this public, your family will be the one begging for mercy."

I hung up, throwing every plush toy, couples mug, and photo album Julian had ever given me into a heavy-duty trash bag.

At the bottom of the closet sat a half-knitted grey sweater.

I had been knitting it for Julian. His hands always got freezing cold in the winter.

I grabbed the end of the yarn and pulled. The wool unraveled around my feet, looking exactly like the boundaries I had repeatedly compromised over the last three years.

The donation truck arrived quickly. The driver lifted the heavy bags and asked, "Are you sure you don't want any of this, miss?"

I nodded. "None of it. Throw it away or recycle it."

The apartment slowly emptied out until only the spare key was left hanging by the door.

Suddenly, the lock clicked.

The door swung open, and Julian walked in, pushing two large pink suitcases.

Julian scanned the empty living room, his brow furrowing. "Why is this place so empty?"

Melody peeked out from behind him, still holding the cat, her voice timid. "Stella, am I intruding?"

Julian pushed the suitcases inside, his tone completely matter-of-fact. "The pipes burst in her apartment. It's not safe for a single girl to stay in a hotel. She's going to stay here with us for a few days."

I asked, "In which room?"

Julian pushed the bags toward the master bedroom. "Melody has trouble sleeping in unfamiliar places. She'll take the master bedroom. Go clean up the guest room."

Melody quickly grabbed his sleeve. "Julian, don't. Stella will be upset. I can just sleep on the couch."

Julian patted her hand to comfort her. "Your health is delicate. Don't make yourself suffer."

He looked at me, his eyes cold. "You're going to be the mistress of this house anyway. Cant you be a little generous?"

"This isn't my house."

Julians face relaxed slightly. "At least you know that. I paid for this penthouse. Just because you picked out some furniture doesn't mean you get to make the rules."

I reached out and took the keys off the hook. The metal felt ice-cold against my palm.

Melody said softly, "Stella, don't misunderstand. Julian is just worried about me. You're still the most important person to him."

I looked at her. "Was the movie you guys saw last night good?"

Melodys eyes flickered with guilt. Julian immediately stepped in front of her. "Are you ever going to drop this? What does Melody owe you?"

I said, "She doesn't owe me anything. You do."

Julian stared at me, a sarcastic smirk playing on his lips. "Here we go again. Stella, every time youre unhappy, you threaten to break up. Isn't this getting old?"

I grabbed my packed suitcase. The wheels rolled across the hardwood floor, making a sharp, distinct sound.

The smirk faded from Julians face. "Where do you think youre going?"

I put on my shoes by the door, my voice incredibly calm. "You don't need to clean the guest room. You two can have this whole place to yourselves. Julian, were done."

Melody's eyes instantly welled with tears. "Stella, this is my fault. I'll leave right now. Please don't ruin your wedding over this."

But Julian held her back, his eyes turning dangerous. "Let her go."

He leaned against the doorframe, his voice tight with anger. "If you walk out that door today, don't expect me to chase you. You have three days to come back and apologize. If you do, Ill pretend this never happened."

I opened the door.

Julian added, "Stella, I won't cover for you with your parents. When they start asking questions, you deal with them yourself."

My steps paused for half a second.

For the past three years, my mother had bragged to everyone about how well I was marrying. My father had paraded the expensive whiskey and cigars Julian sent him in front of all our relatives.

Julian knew how much I dreaded disappointing them. He always knew exactly where to stab.

Melody chimed in softly, "Stella, your parents love Julian so much. Youre being so selfish."

I turned back to look at Julian. "Changing the bride's name on the invites, taking her to meet your family, letting her sleep in my bed... and I'm the one being selfish?"

Julian went silent for a second, but his arrogance quickly returned. "We can talk about all of that later. Get back inside. Who are you trying to put a show on for?"

I placed the keys on the shoe rack.

Julians eyes locked onto them, and his brow twitched. "Youre leaving the keys?"

I replied, "Like you said, you bought this place. Now that someone else is sleeping in the master bedroom, its not appropriate for me to keep these."

His face completely darkened. "Stella, do you have to be this dramatic?"

I didn't answer. I pulled my suitcase into the elevator.

Before the doors slid shut, Julians voice echoed down the hall: "Stella! If you walk out now, don't you dare come crawling back!"

As the elevator went down, I tossed the spare keycard straight into the trash chute.

My phone buzzed. It was Claire, the shelter director: [Stella, a National Geographic documentary crew is coming tomorrow to film some conservation footage. Can you help us out for one last day before you officially leave? They're looking for a veterinary consultant, and I think youd be perfect for it.]

I typed back: [Sure.]

The moment my screen went dark, Melodys Instagram popped up with an update.

She was standing in front of the master bedroom's floor-to-ceiling window. Her caption read: [After all the detours, I'm finally back where I feel safest.]

The next morning, I arrived at the shelter with my suitcase.

I changed into my scrubs, the familiar scent of disinfectant washing over me.

As I was bending down to adjust the heating lamp for a puppy that had just come out of surgery, the courtyard outside suddenly erupted into chaos.

Claire walked into the clinic room, wiping her hands, her face incredibly tense. "Stella, the National Geographic crew was filming, but Melody's PR team suddenly barged in with their own cameras."

My hands paused. "Who authorized that?"

Claire lowered her voice. "The shelter's main donor called and said Melody needs a 'charity angel' shoot. Julian is out there with her too. The documentary director, Zach Thorne, looks absolutely furious. Hes just standing there with his crew, mocking them."

I walked out to the courtyard. Melody was standing by the cages in a pristine white dress, surrounded by cameras.

She bent down, attempting to lift a golden puppy that had been neutered just yesterday. I immediately blocked the cage door. "Hes not even twenty-four hours post-op. You cannot hold him."

Melody looked up at me, her smile dripping with sweet innocence. "Stella, I just want to show everyone how cute he is. People will only donate if they see how sweet he is."

Julian stood just outside the camera frame, frowning. "Stella, don't make a scene here."

I stared right into his eyes. "His incisions haven't healed yet. If something happens, who takes the blame?"