Bitter Sweet Love

“Crystal! You won't believe what's on TV now!”

Cullen's voice echoed through the living room.

Crystal froze, one hand still buried in the pile of clothes she had scattered. Her free hand traced the dark circles beneath her swollen eyes as she sighed. She stepped out of bed and dragged herself toward the living room.

She had been searching for something decent to wear to her boyfriend's wedding—the man whose parents considered her unworthy.

The moment her eyes fell on the big TV, her body trembled. She clutched the hem of her dress and swallowed the lump in her throat.

“Are... aren't these the wedding highlights for Brother Mervin?” Cullen's voice cracked.

Crystal couldn't blink. Her throat dried up instantly, and her eyes stung as tears threatened to spill.

On the big TV, Mervin Brooklyn, heir to LV Corporation, was walking hand in hand with Miranda Griffin, the model and heiress of the Griffin Group.

Crystal's stomach twisted. The Griffins were the same family responsible for her parents' deaths when she was twelve.

Now they were taking Mervin too…

“Tha... that's him,” Camilla said, pointing at the TV.

“Our Brother Mervin,” Camilla added.

Camilla and Cullen's shoulders slumped as their eyes settled on their older sister.

Mervin had earned the title of "Brother" after becoming their savior when their parents died. He had paid their bills, sponsored their education, and helped Crystal land a job at LV Corporation.

“How could he betray you?” Camilla asked, tears glistening in her eyes.

Crystal felt as though her heart had been struck by a stone.

Betray? she thought.

She drew in a shaky breath through her mouth, then exhaled slowly through her nose with her eyes closed. She turned to face her sisters.

“Mervin is not like that,” she said, her nails digging into her palm.

'I will come back to you. I will break off the engagement with Miranda and claim you as my bride'

Mervin had promised the previous day.

Camilla frowned.

“Look, he's even smiling.”

Camilla slammed her palm against the table.

Crystal turned back to the TV. Mervin was walking down the aisle with the corners of his lips raised. Her legs became like jelly, threatening to give out beneath her, and her eyes sting with unshed tears.

The sight slowly turned his promise into nothing but ashes.

Her vision blurred. She quickly turned and walked back toward her room.

Ding Dong.

The doorbell rang.

Crystal froze. She wiped away a tear with the back of her hand, then turned toward the door and opened it with trembling fingers.

Travis Mayor, Mervin's best friend and heir to BG Group, the second-largest corporation, stood before her.

“Gosh, Crystal, you look like a zombie.” His eyes traced the puffiness beneath hers. “Have you been crying?”

Crystal couldn't answer. The tears she had been trying so hard to hold back finally broke free.

Travis pulled her into his arms and gently rubbed her back.

“It's okay,” he muttered softly.

“Mervin sent me.”

Crystal pulled away from the embrace and looked at him, her eyes narrowing in confusion.

Travis thrust a shopping bag into her arms.

“Quick, change into this. I'll be waiting in the car.”

“Where are you taking me?” she asked, wiping away her tears.

Travis sighed.

“Come on, Crystal. I just told you Mervin needs you,” he said.

Crystal turned her head toward the TV.

“Need me?” she whispered, blinking back fresh tears.

“But he looks happy with her.”

She turned to face Travis again.

Travis scratched the back of his neck and let out a weary sigh.

“Crystal, just believe in Mervin one last time.” He rested a hand on her shoulder and looked deeply into her eyes.

“But..."

“Please,” he cut her off.

Crystal's shoulders slumped.

Travis gave her an assuring nod before walking away.

Crystal looked inside the bag, and her eyes widened.

Inside the bag, was a breathtaking white gown, a pair of crystal heels, and a matching clutch.

She walked back into her room and tossed the bag onto the floor before sitting on the edge of the bed. Cupping her face in both hands, she stared blankly at the wall.

“Come on, Crystal. Just this once,” she muttered to herself.

After a long moment, she rose to her feet, picked up the bag, and slipped the dress over her head.

A few minutes later, she walked out of the house. Travis was already waiting in his black G-Wagon.

As soon as she settled into the passenger seat, he gently squeezed her hand.

“Everything will be fine.”

Crystal simply stared at him in silence.

“To the wedding venue, please,” Travis instructed the driver.

********

The Wedding Cathedral

Flash bulbs popped from every direction as Mervin and Miranda walked down the aisle with their arms interlocked. Miranda beamed in her sleek white wedding gown as she waved with her free hand.

When they reached the priest, Mervin's eyes kept darting toward the entrance.

Where is Crystal?

He loosened his tie and let out a quiet breath.

“Since time is precious, we'll move straight to the vows,” the priest said after a short prayer.

A young page boy stepped forward with the rings. Miranda eagerly reached for one of the gold bands, smiling from ear to ear, but Mervin merely scratched the back of his head.

She brushed against his finger, ready to slide the ring onto it.

Click! Click!

The heavy cathedral doors burst open, slamming against the walls.

Every head turned.

Crystal stood at the entrance, dressed in a white ball gown decorated with tiny shimmering crystals that sparkled beneath the cathedral lights. She bit her lower lip, her hands clasped tightly together.

The dress hugged her figure perfectly. Light makeup and a fringe hairstyle made her look almost angelic.

Mrs. Brooklyn's jaw clenched.

Only a few days ago, she had warned Crystal never to show her face at her son's wedding.

Yet here she was.

She scoffed.

The ring slipped from Miranda's hand, her eyes widening as murmurs spread through the cathedral.

Mervin rubbed his damp palms against his trousers and bit the inside of his cheek. His heart hammered against his ribs.

Standing at the entrance was the woman he loved.

He drew in a deep breath, straightened his suit, then grabbed the microphone from the podium and stepped forward.

“Excuse me, everyone.”

The murmuring crowd fell silent.

All eyes were on him.

“I, Mervin Brooklyn...”

He paused.

His gaze shifted to his parents, who glared at him with fury. Then he looked at Miranda, whose body trembled beside him.

“…stand before you today to denounce my engagement to Miranda Griffin.”

Gasps rippled through the cathedral.

Miranda's cheeks flushed crimson as though she had been slapped. Her hands curled into fists against her dress.

At the entrance, Crystal kept her gaze lowered to the floor, her hands still clasped together.

“Mervin, what kind of drama is this?” Mr. Brooklyn barked from the front row. His nails dug into the wooden armrest, and his face was as red as a tomato

.

Mervin glanced at his parents, his hand clenching into a fist. To them, love was nothing more than a business transaction.

“I am sorry, Dad,” he muttered.

Then he looked at Crystal.

“My heart belongs to someone else.”

His fist slowly relaxed, and the corners of his lips lifted into a gentle smile.

Click! Click!

Camera flashes lit up the cathedral.

Mr. Brooklyn's nostrils flared as he breathed heavily. The veins in his neck bulged.

Mervin carefully placed the microphone back on the podium before stepping down and walking straight toward Crystal.

Travis quietly stepped aside.

Stopping in front of her, Mervin extended his hand.

“May I?”

Crystal rubbed the back of her hand nervously. She blinked several times before slowly placing her hand in his. Butterflies fluttered in her stomach, and a faint smile tugged at the corners of her lips.

Mervin exchanged a warm smile with Travis.

Without another word, he gently intertwined his fingers with Crystal's and led her down the aisle.

Her glass heels clicked softly against the marble floor with every step. Dozens of eyes followed her, making her feel as though she had forgotten how to breathe.

When they reached the front, the priest quietly stepped aside.

Mervin and Crystal turned to face the congregation.

“Everyone,” Mervin began.

He slowly released Crystal's hand.

“I would like to introduce you all to Crystal Blues... the woman I love.”

He slipped an arm around her waist and drew her close.

Crystal's breath caught in her throat. She blinked twice, her brows knitting together in disbelief.

A deafening silence settled over the cathedral.

Mr. and Mrs. Brooklyn exchanged stunned glances, their mouths hanging open before turning back to their son.

Beside the priest, Miranda's knees buckled. A gasp escaped her lips as she collapsed onto the floor.

Mervin had warned her about his plans before they entered the cathedral, but she had dismissed his words.

A quiet sniffle escaped her lips as she stared at the couple.

“That is never happening!” Mr. Brooklyn roared, slamming his hand onto the armrest.

Deep wrinkles creased his forehead as he marched toward his son.

“I will not let you disgrace me, son,” he spat.

Crystal's small body trembled.

“Yes,” Mrs. Brooklyn said, stepping beside her husband.

The entire congregation remained silent. Even the sound of a cough seemed forbidden as everyone watched the confrontation unfold.

“She doesn't belong in our class, Mervin.”

Crystal lowered her gaze and bit her lower lip until she tasted blood.

Mervin spared her a brief glance before letting out a quiet sigh.

“A Brooklyn takes responsibility for his family,” he said firmly. “I will not abandon my child.”

“What does that mean?” Mrs. Brooklyn demanded.

Mervin reached for Crystal's hand and intertwined their fingers.

“Sorry to disappoint you... but she's pregnant with my child.”

“What?!” his parents exclaimed in unison.

Crystal turned her head toward Mervin, her mouth falling open and her eyes widening.

Her knees trembled.

Her heartbeat seemed to stop.

Pregnant?