MINUTES BEFORE THE WEDDING, THE BRIDE HEARD THE GROOM’S PLAN TO SPEND HER WEALTH — AT THE ALTAR, SHE CARRIED OUT THE REVENGE THAT BROKE THE MAN IN SHAME
THE DREAM WEDDING
Celine was the sole heir to the Montemayor Empire. Even though she was a billionaire, she grew up thirsty for love because her parents died young.

When she met Mark, she thought she had found her Prince Charming. Handsome, smart, and always made Celine feel like the most beautiful woman in the world.

“I don’t need your money, Celine. Just you, that’s enough,” Mark would often say.

A year later, Mark proposed. Celine immediately agreed. It was the day she had been waiting for—her Grand Wedding at the largest cathedral in Manila.

Everything was ready. Her gown was made in Paris. The church was full of celebrities.

While Celine was in the Bridal Suite, she decided to go to Mark in the other room to give him her Wedding Gift—a key to the new Sports Car and the land title.

“He’ll appreciate this,” Celine whispered with a smile.

She slowly walked down the hallway. The door to Mark’s room was slightly ajar.

She was about to knock when she heard a familiar laugh. A woman’s laugh.

Vanessa, Celine’s Maid of Honor and Best Friend.

THE BETRAYAL
Celine stopped. She pressed her ear to the door.

“That’s great, Babe!” Vanessa laughed. “You’re acting great! Celine is crazy about you. She really thought you loved her so much!”

“Oh,” Mark replied. The voice that had been gentle with Celine was now full of mockery. “I just put up with that woman. She’s boring! She’s too clingy. If it weren’t for her family’s billions, I wouldn’t have let her go.”

Celine stiffened. Her heart felt like it had been stabbed.

“Just be patient, Vanessa,” Mark added. “After the wedding, I’ll get control of the company. Once I get her signature on the joint accounts, we can start embezzling her money. Then, I’ll either divorce her or we’ll pretend she’s crazy so she can be locked up in a mental hospital.”

“Really? I’m excited!” Vanessa kissed Mark. “Make sure you don’t make a mistake at the altar, okay?”

“Don’t worry. I will say ‘I do’ to her money, but my heart is yours.”

Celine’s tears flowed. The man she thought was her ally, and the friend she considered her brother, had agreed to kill her—not in body, but in soul.

She wanted to rush in. She wanted to run away.

But she stopped. She wiped away her tears.

No, Celine told herself. If I back down now, I’ll look like a loser. If I lose here, I’ll look like a madman.

She looked at the gift she was holding—the car keys.

Celine returned to her room. She called her Family Lawyer and the Head of Security.

“Attorney,” Celine said coldly. “Change of plans. Bring the police to the church. And prepare Project Reveal.”

“I’ll follow, Ma’am.”

Celine retouched her makeup. She hid the pain behind thick foundation and red lipstick.

“Do you want a show?” Celine whispered into the mirror. “I’ll give you a wedding you’ll never forget.”

THE WALK TO THE ALTAR
The church was full. Everyone was amazed when the door opened and Celine walked in. She was very beautiful, but there was a strange coldness in her eyes that people didn’t notice.

At the altar, Mark was waiting. She was still crying (pretend to be tears of joy). Next to her, Vanessa, the Maid of Honor, was also wiping away fake tears.

“You look beautiful, Celine,” Mark whispered as Celine reached the altar.

Celine smiled. “Thank you, Mark. All the pretense was worth it, right?”

“Huh?” Mark was surprised, but he ignored it because the mass had already started.

The time for the Vows arrived.

“Mark,” the Priest began. “Do you take Celine to be your wedded wife…”

“I do, Father,” Mark quickly replied.

“And do you, Celine…”

Celine took the microphone.

“Just a moment, Father,” Celine said. She turned to the guests. “Before I answer, I just want to show you something. Since we are in the technology age, I made a special video presentation for my Groom and my Maid of Honor.”

The people applauded. They thought it was a sweet video of childhood memories.

“Mark, Vanessa,” Celine said. “Watch this.”

The large LED Screen inside the church came down.

THE BOMB
The video played.

These were not pictures. This was an Audio Recording with Subtitles and Live CCTV Footage from the holding room earlier.

Mark and Vanessa’s voices could be heard throughout the church.

“I just put up with that woman… If it weren’t for her family’s billions, I wouldn’t have punished her.”

“Once I get her signature… we can squander her money.”

“We’ll make her look crazy…”

All the guests were stunned. Mark’s parents turned pale with shame. Celine’s friends gasped.

Mark felt like he had been poured with cement. He couldn’t move. Vanessa wanted to sink into the ground.

The video ended with Mark’s last line: “I will say ‘I do’ to her money.”

Celine turned off the screen. The silence in the church was deafening.

“So,” Celine said into the microphone. “Mark, you’re asking if I’ll accept you? My answer is…”

Celine walked over to Mark.

PLEASE!

A loud slap echoed through the microphone.

“I DON’T.”

“Celine! Let me explain!” Mark shouted, trying to grab Celine.

“Don’t touch me!” Celine shouted. “Cheater! Do you think I’m stupid? I heard everything!”

Celine turned to Vanessa.

“And you, Best Friend? You’re a snake! The gown you’re wearing, I paid for. Your jewelry, I gave. Then this is what you’re going to do in return?”

Celine grabbed the necklace around Vanessa’s neck. It broke and the beads scattered on the floor.

“Security!” Celine called.

The police and NBI Agents entered.

“Mark Anthony Cruz,” the Police said. “We are arresting you for a case of Qualified Theft and Embezzlement. Ms. Celine’s audit team proved that you robbed their company of 50 Million Pesos last month to gamble.”

“What?! That’s not true!” Mark shouted.

“And you, Vanessa,” Celine said. “The condo you live in? It’s in my company’s name, right? You’ve been evicted. I changed the lock earlier while you were at church. All your belongings are on the street.”

THE SHAME
There was chaos in the church. Guests were filming the incident. Live on Facebook. Trending worldwide.

The police dragged Mark, still in his tuxedo, away. He was crying, begging.

“Celine! I love you! Forgive me! I was just joking!” Mark shouted.

“Tell that to the judge,” Celine replied.

Vanessa was running out of the church, covering her face as angry guests threw flowers and programs at her. Her gown was torn in the chaos.

Celine was left at the altar.

The priest approached, still a little shocked. “Son… what are we going to do at the reception?”

Celine smiled. She wiped the last tear from her eye.

“Father, continue the reception,” Celine said. “There’s a lot of food. What a waste.”

She turned to the guests.

“Everyone! No more wedding. But there’s still a party! Let’s celebrate my Freedom from two trashy people!”

The crowd cheered.

“Long live Celine!”

At the reception, everyone ate and had fun. Celine danced, laughed, and drank wine—not as a Bride, but as a brave woman who saved herself from hell.

Mark? Rotten in prison.

Vanessa? Lost her job, home, and friends because of shame.

Celine proved that sometimes, the best gift to yourself is not getting married, but leaving a relationship that will only kill you.

THE END