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Prologue
The large doors of the Cathedral opened as the bridal march began to play which was my cue. I walked down the red carpet that extended from the entrance to the altar in a white flowing wedding gown.
On each side of me were seats filled up with the friends and family of the Mendez family from all over the world with a few of my friends and family scattered around in the seats on my right-hand side.Every girl's wedding day, she was supposed to have thousands of butterflies erupting in her stomach and excited to be trying the knot with the man of her dreams, but it wasn't the case for me.All I could feel was anger, hatred, and despair toward the man smiling at me from the end of the aisle because he was the man of my nightmares. A man I still used to love with all my heart a few hours ago but he repaid all my love with lies and deceit and expected me to spend the rest of my life with him.If I could have my way, I would stab him to death on our wedding night and flee far away from this country but I knew that would be the end of my peaceful and free life. The Mendez family would never let me go scot-free after murdering their son in cold blood.I climbed on the altar and stood opposite him. The constant smile on his face fuelled my anger but he couldn't see the angry expression I was wearing because of the wedding veil covering my face."We are gathered here to witness the union of Dave Mendez and Aria Stephenson..." The priest started but all I could think of was what the Mendez family did to hurt me and my family, and there was the only way I could think of repaying them for what they did.The priest turned to Dave. "Do you Dave Michael Mendez take Aria Carter Stephenson to be your lawfully wedded wife, to love and cherish in times of good health and bad health, rich and poor till death do you part?""I do," Dave answered with a big smile on his face.He turned to me. "Do you Aria Carter Stephenson take Dave Micheal Mendez to be your lawfully wedded husband, to love and cherish in times of good health and bad health, rich and poor till death do you part?"My fingers tightened on my gown as I turned to the side, searching through the crowd. I locked eyes with my brother who had a blank expression."Aria?" The priest called my attention.Taking a deep breath, I turned back to look at Dave. "No, I don't."Related chapters
Fallen Apart One
FIVE MONTHS AGOARIA'S POV"Mom, Dad, I got the job," I yelled, running downstairs with my phone in my hand as the wooden floor made creaking sounds under my feet."Ari, slow down. You're going hurt yourself," My dad who was sitting in our portable living room shouted.I jumped on the maroon couch he was sitting on, shoving my phone to his face. "Dad, I did it." He took the phone from my hand and read the message I got from Styles Company, one of the biggest Fashion Companies in Chicago. Ever since I graduated from Fashion school earlier that year, I had hoped to get employed in a big company in Chicago. I applied to different companies over the months and sent them some of my ideas as an interview but I got rejected by two companies already.When I woke up that morning, my phone lit up with a message from Style Company, another company I applied in. At first, I ignored it thinking it was another rejection message, only for me to decide to check it out and got the shock of my life."
Fallen Apart Two
ARIA'S POVAs I parked my clothes in the wardrobe inside my bag, footsteps approached my room followed by a series of knocks. Savannah was the only person in the house with me, so it had to be her."Come in," I said as I continued to fold my clothes inside the suitcase.The door opened and I didn't bother looking up because I already knew who it was. "Do you need some help?" she asked."No," I replied without looking at her."You're leaving this week, right? Have you arranged for an apartment yet?" she continued."Yes." "Don't you think we should talk before you leave?" She walked further into the room to stand beside me, but I ignored her. "Since I moved in here, you avoided me like a plague. Whenever I tried to talk to you, you either give me one-word answers or give some hurtful remark."Refusing to look at her, I muttered under my breath, "I wonder why?" "How long do you plan to keep hating me?" She asked but I ignored her as I left her side to fetch my fashion magazines piled un
Fallen Apart Three
ARIA'S POVTaking a deep breath, I knock on the door of Savannah's room. "Come in," she called from inside.I pushed the door open to see her on the bed lying on her back. "Hey." She sat up on the bed with wide eyes. "Aria? Do you need something?"Since she moved in with us, I had never knocked on her door not to talk of stepping into her room. I had always avoided any reason of going there, so I get why she was surprised upon seeing me."I need to talk to you about something." I fiddled with my finger, unable to meet her eyes."If it's about what you said earlier, you're right. I made a terrible mistake, disappointed my parents, and ruined the future we had planned together. You have every right to be mad at me and I can't blame you for hating me for what I did. It's all my fault, I'm sorry Ari." She wiped her tears."No, Anna. I should be the one apologizing." I gathered the courage to look her in the eyes."Why should you apologize to me? You did nothing wrong." She gave me a con
Fallen Apart Four
DAVE'S POVThe sun was down and the moon was slowly making its appearance when I stepped out of the plane and walked into the airport. My amber eyes scanned through the waiting crowd and I noticed a man in a black suit holding a banner that says Dave Mendez. I covered my head with the hood of my jacket and blended into the crowd till I was able to get out of the airport without them noticing me.When I got outside, I breathed in the fresh air of Chicago that was brightened by different lights from a different buildings. The city was a sight to see at night which was why I chose to arrive late. It has been two years since I left the city just to avoid my parents. No, I didn't hate my parent for any reason they were the people I loved the most but I had to leave when they were trying to make me shoulder a responsibility I wasn't ready for. I wished to live my life doing whatever I want and going wherever I want without anything holding me down. Our clash of interest was why I left the c
Fallen Apart Five
DAVE'S POVThroughout the journey, I was preparing myself for the argument I was going to be having with my parents over the same topic for the last three years.The car stopped in front of Styles Company, the Fashion company owned by my parents. I stepped out to see that the white-colored concrete building has been replaced with royal blue glass with the company's name calligraphed boldly at the top. The men in suits ushered me inside and I covered my head with my hood as the door opened. I walked toward the elevator with five men surrounding me and I could hear the whispers of people asking who I was. Over the years, I had managed to keep myself away from anything related to the company except the money I get from it though. My parents didn't mind because my brother was ready to take up the responsibility of succeeding after them which made me relax but little did I know that things would take a different turn and I would be pressured to take the responsibility I have been running
Fallen Apart Six
ARIA'S POVThat Saturday morning, Xavier dragged my suitcase down the stairs as Savannah and I walked behind him."The place won't be the same without you but we can't stop you from leaving." Savannah sighed for the tenth time that morning. "I will miss you guys too except Xavier though." Xavier scoffed. "We both know that's a big lie." I rolled my eyes but I knew he was right. There was no way I wouldn't miss his bossiness and his annoying personality."I can't believe my baby is finally going out to the city." My mom sniffed when we got to the bottom of the stairs. She pulled me into a hug. "I'm going to miss you." "I'll miss you too, Mom." I wrapped my hands around her. "Always remember that I'm just a phone call away." I pulled away and wiped her tears. "Be careful out there, dear." Dad caressed my hair. "As much as it bothers me to let you go into that big city alone, I know I can't keep you under my wings forever. You need to go out there and find your path."It was expecte
Fallen Apart Seven
ARIA'S POVMy first day in Chicago was pretty adventurous. Lena and I spent the entire day sightseeing, eating different food and snacks, and watching movies. She took me to places that I needed to know, so I would be able to find my around whenever she wasn't around. Lena took me to Styles company and my jaw dropped to the ground at the sight of the magnificent building that was covered in Royal blue glass. The place was closed since it was Sunday, so she promised to show me around the company the next day when I resume work.I rose from bed earlier that morning as I couldn't sleep out of nervousness. As I took my bath and got ready, millions of butterflies were having a party in my stomach and I kept doing the breathing exercise to calm down."Breakfast is ready," Lena said in front of my door followed by her footsteps walking toward the living room.Lena's apartment was spacious with a living room and two bedrooms which were directly opposite each other. The kitchen and dining roo
Fallen Apart Eight
DAVE'S POVParking my car outside Nixon's apartment building, I picked up my phone and sent him a text to meet me in his place, knowing that he was on lunch break. I climbed down from the car and went up to his apartment on the fifth floor of the building, ignoring the group of men watching me from the black Sedan parked a few blocks away from my car.When I got to the door, I punched in the password on the keypad to unlock the door. I slumped on the couch and turned on the TV while I wait for him to arrive. A few minutes later, the door opened followed by Nixon's voice, "I can have you arrested for breaking into my apartment." He stood in front of me with his hands shoved in his pants pocket."It's not breaking in if you were the one who gave me the password." I rolled my eyes at him."Why did you make me come here? My lunch break will soon be over, do you want me to get fired for slacking off at work?" He perched on the edge of the couch adjacent to me."You can't get fired. You ar
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