Mara woke to the smell of vanilla.
Eyes still shut, she reached across the bed.
Empty.
But something warm and buttery tugged at her senses.
She sat up groggily..
Then paused.
There he was.
Malik Zayn Haidar.
Her fiancé.
In her tiny kitchen.
Wearing grey sweats, barefoot, flipping pancakes like a pro.
She blinked.
This man once signed a $3 million merger in under 10 minutes.
Now he was… pouring syrup?
"Morning, sleepyhead," he said, without looking up.
"What are you doing?"
"Being husband material."
...
He brought the tray in with a grin.
Pancakes.
Scrambled eggs.
Her favorite tea.
And a strawberry shaped like a heart.
"This is illegal."
"Shhh. Eat. Then we're going wedding shopping with Clara."
"Why does that sound like a threat?"
"Because it is"
Clara didn't walk into the bridal store.
She stormed in like a fashion-forward hurricane.
"Clear the racks. My best friend is getting MARRIED."
The assistants blinked.
Mara blinked.
Even Malik (who'd only come to "carry bags") froze.
.....
Mara tried on lace.
Silk.
An off-shoulder number Clara sobbed over.
"You're so lucky you're pretty. You'd make a paper bag look like Dior," Clara sniffed dramatically.
Malik peeked in once.
He didn't say anything.
Just looked at her in that dress;
And his entire expression softened like sunlit snow.
"I'm marrying her," he whispered under his breath.
...
They left with three dresses.
A crying Clara.
And Mara holding Malik's hand like it was the anchor to her whole world.
"You okay?" he asked softly.
"Yeah. Just… overwhelmed. In the best way."
...
THE BRIDAL SHOWER
The penthouse sparkled.
String lights hung across the ceiling, soft music hummed in the background, and the scent of rosewater and luxury perfume lingered in the air.
Clara had outdone herself.
The guest list was small; intimate.
Just close friends.
A few of Mara's college girls.
Her sweet editor.
Clara, of course.
And... Layla.
Yes. Layla.
"You said revenge," Mara reminded herself, fixing her lipgloss in the mirror.
"This is the start."
Layla walked in late, like she wanted the attention.
Red dress.
Redder lipstick.
And a fake smile that practically screamed insecurity.
"Congratulations," she said, offering Mara a hug.
Mara didn't flinch.
She just smiled.
"Thank you. It must sting, doesn't it?"
Layla blinked.
"What?"
Mara leaned in.
"Being invited to the fairy tale that you tried so hard to ruin."
Clara choked on her mocktail.
....
Games began.
Truth or dare, but with high heels.
Everyone was laughing; until Layla got picked.
"Truth or dare?" one of the girls asked.
"Truth," Layla said, swiping her hair over her shoulder like she was in a shampoo commercial.
"Did you ever have feelings for Malik?"
The room froze.
Layla's eyes darted to Mara.
Then down to her glass.
"...It was a phase."
"Like your career?" Clara muttered under her breath.
Mara sipped her drink calmly, locking eyes with Layla.
"Good. Because this phase ends tonight."
Mara stood up.
Walked to the speaker.
Played a soft video;
A compilation of her and Malik through the months, yes months!.
Laughter.
Papers flying.
Him holding her coffee.
Her kissing his cheek.
"Here's to the girl who thought she could steal a man who was never looking her way in the first place."
The room erupted.
....
Layla left in silence.
But Mara?
Mara laughed.
In her glitter heels.
With her girls.
With Malik calling just to say, "I miss you, soon-to-be Mrs. Haidar."