Valentina Miller felt her legs trembling while she adjusted her veil for the last time in the sacristy. In a few minutes, she would walk toward the altar of St. Peter’s Church, in the center of Aspen, to marry Alexander Sterling, the man she had loved for three years.
It was then that she heard voices in the hallway. The door was ajar, and she instantly recognized the groom’s loud laugh. Curious, she approached slowly to listen.
«Hey, are you sure this is going to turn out well?» It was the voice of Julian, the best man.
«Of course it is, buddy,» Alexander replied. «Valentina is madly in love with me. After we get married, it will only be a matter of time before I convince her to give me power over her father’s businesses.»
Alexander responded with a coldness that she had never noticed before. Valentina felt the world collapsing. She leaned against the wall so as not to fall.
«And if she suspects something?» Julian asked. «Ask the other groomsmen. Dylan.»
«Her? Valentina is too naive,» Alexander scoffed. «She believes I am her Prince Charming. When I get the power of attorney, I will sell some of old Richard’s properties. He won’t even notice. He is too busy with his companies to check every document he signs.»
The laughs echoed in the hallway like stabs in Valentina’s heart. She clutched her chest, feeling her heart racing. Three years of a relationship. Three years of plans. Everything was a lie.
«But will you stay married to her afterward?» Julian insisted.
«For now, yes. I need total access to her assets. After that, well, accidents happen, don’t they?» Alexander laughed again, and Valentina had to cover her mouth to stifle a scream.
«Alexander, man! You are serious!» Dylan seemed uncomfortable.
«Relax, Dylan. Nothing will happen to her. I will only divorce when I have what I need. I’ll say we grew apart, that it didn’t work. She will be left with a broken little heart, but she will get over it. Women always get over it.»
Valentina leaned against the wall, trying to breathe. Her hands trembled so much she almost dropped the bouquet of white roses. How had she not realized? How had she been so blind?
«And the debts?» Julian asked in a low voice.
«Ah, those I will pay fast with her money. I owe almost $200,000 to the casino people. They are getting impatient, you know. But after today, problem solved.»
Two hundred thousand dollars. Casino. Valentina never knew that Alexander gambled. He always said he worked late in the accounting office. In reality, he was losing money in the game.
«Do you think anyone suspects?» Alexander lowered his voice.
«Richard seems to trust you, and Mrs. Patricia adores you,» Dylan responded. «Valentina’s mom is easy to fool. She always wanted to see her daughter married, and the father, well, he is smart, but he is so happy to see his daughter fulfilled that he doesn’t suspect anything.»
Valentina closed her eyes. Her parents really loved Alexander very much. He knew exactly how to behave in front of them. Always kind, always helpful, always interested in the family’s businesses.
«And if we go now?» Julian suggested nervously. «There is still time to cancel all this.»
«Cancel? Are you crazy? I’ve been planning this for two years, ever since I discovered Richard Miller is worth more than five million dollars. His daughter is my entry to that money.»
Two years. He had planned it for two years. Valentina remembered when they met at the mall. Alexander had tripped over her in the food court, spilled her coffee, and offered to buy her another one. He seemed so tender, so genuine. Everything was calculated.
«Guys, it’s time. The music already started,» Dylan warned.
«Ready. Let’s pretend we are happy then.» Alexander laughed once more.
The footsteps moved away down the hallway. Valentina stood alone, listening only to the sound of her own heart beating without control and the wedding march starting to sound in the church.
She looked at herself in the sacristy mirror. The white dress that cost $15,000, chosen with such affection during months of preparation. The great-grandmother’s veil passed from generation to generation in the Miller family. The perfect makeup, done by the best professional in the city.
All for a man who only wanted her money. Valentina breathed deep and dried the tears that were starting to fall. No, she would not collapse. She would not give Alexander Sterling the pleasure.
If he wanted to play dirty, she also knew how to do it. The cell phone vibrated; it was a message from her younger sister.
Val, where are you? Everyone is waiting for you.
Valentina responded: I’m coming, Sophia.
She put away the phone and adjusted the veil and the bouquet. She smiled at the mirror, rehearsing the expression she would use from now on. Did Alexander want a passionate and naïve bride? That was exactly what he would have, but his revenge would be something he never imagined.
Valentina came out of the sacristy and walked through the hallway of the church. The guests turned to admire her. Whispers of approval filled the environment. She greeted them and smiled, interpreting to perfection the role of the radiant bride.
They were at the front. Alexander waited for her by the altar. When their looks met, he smiled in that way that used to make her melt. Now she knew that everything was theater.
Richard Miller, her father, waited to take her to the altar. At sixty years old, he had built an empire of three gas stations and two coffee shops in the city. He was a simple man who started washing cars and arrived where he was with much hard work.
«My princess, you are beautiful,» said Richard, offering her his arm.
«Thanks, Dad.» Valentina took his arm, trying to control her voice.
While they walked through the nave of the church, she observed the known faces. From the side of her family, uncles, cousins, and childhood friends were beaming. From the side of Alexander, there were much fewer people.
His mother, Mrs. Carmen, who always treated her with coldness disguised as politeness, was there. Some relatives and friends stood nearby. Julian and Dylan were near the altar, trying to look normal.
When Dylan saw her arrive, he lowered his gaze, clearly uncomfortable. At least one of them had a conscience. Alexander continued smiling with that pose of an excited groom. What a talented actor.
When they arrived at the altar, Richard kissed his daughter’s forehead and handed her hand to Alexander.
«Take good care of her,» said Richard, looking him in the eyes.
«Always, sir. Richard, she is the love of my life,» responded Alexander, squeezing Valentina’s hand.
If she didn’t know the truth, she would have been moved. Now she felt disgust. Father Michael, who had baptized her as a small child, began the ceremony. Valentina disconnected during the first parts, concentrating on mentally organizing what she would do.
«We are gathered here to celebrate the union of Valentina and Alexander,» said the priest. «Marriage is a sacred institution based on love, respect, and mutual sincerity.»
Sincerity? What a cruel joke.
«Alexander, do you accept Valentina as your legitimate wife? Do you promise to love her and respect her in joy and in sadness, in health and in sickness, in wealth and in poverty, all the days of your life?»
«I accept,» said Alexander, looking deeply into her eyes.
«Valentina, do you accept Alexander as your legitimate husband? Do you promise to love him and respect him in joy and in sadness, in health and in sickness, in wealth and in poverty, all the days of your life?»
Valentina paused for a second, feeling all the looks upon her. Alexander squeezed her hand, but she noticed the tension behind his smile.
«I accept,» she responded, and saw the relief on his face.
«Before proceeding with the exchange of rings, the couple wished to make a personal declaration,» announced the priest.
Valentina had planned it weeks before when she still believed in their love. Now it would be useful in another way. Alexander began first.
«Valentina, when I met you that day at the mall, I knew that my life had changed forever. You brought light, joy, and purpose to my days. I promise to be the husband you deserve, to take care of you, and to build our family with all the love I have in my heart.»
Some guests were moved. Valentina smiled, but inside she thought about how he lied with such naturalness. It was her turn.
«Alexander, our relationship taught me much about trust, about delivering my heart completely to someone. Today, here in front of our family and friends, I want you to know that I know you truly. I know your dreams, your fears, your ambitions, and I promise to be at your side regardless of the challenges we face together.»
She noticed Julian and Dylan exchanging quick looks. Alexander squeezed her hand again, but she felt it was slightly clammy.
«Now we will proceed to the exchange of the rings,» said the priest.
Alexander took his ring and slid it onto her finger. «With this ring, I wed you and promise to love you forever.»
Valentina did the same. «With this ring, I wed you and promise to love you forever.» The words had a bitter taste in her mouth.
«By the power that has been conferred to me, I declare you husband and wife. Alexander, you can kiss the bride.»
Alexander approached and kissed her. It was a kiss she had dreamed of for months, but now it seemed mechanical and fake. The guests applauded and shouted.