Beta's Second Chance

Iris Gomez

It hurt.

Iris's heart hurt so much that she felt it would burst. Earlier in the day, she went to the bridal dress store to make the final touches for her wedding dress. It fit perfectly, and it was completed. The purchase was made using the money that her future mother-in-law gave her. Iris was so happy and excited that she would marry her fiance. They have known each other since they were in fifth grade.

Iris went to the university, but her fiance, Derek, decided to attend a technical college, and she was happy for him. They would always see each other when they had the chance. Iris got her bachelor's degree in linguistics and returned to school for her master's. Her dream was to be a translator and interpreter in immigration. Iris' parents were undocumented immigrants, but she and her sister were born in the United States. Iris was the eldest, and when she turned twenty-one, she got her parents' residency; they didn't have to worry about getting deported.

However, the family had another worry. Iris's sister, Brianna, 25, was an alcoholic and drug user who got mixed with the wrong people. The family tried to motivate her to get help, but she always refused. Brianna still lived with her parents, and she would steal or ask for money. Unfortunately, her parents instigated her behavior; they wouldn't kick her out.

Iris tried to help her sister, but when she realized that Brianna would never change, she gave up and lived her life to the fullest; she would marry her fiance in a few months. Despite the troubles, both families were excited.

The excitement didn't last forever, though.

After getting her dress, Iris decided to go to her fiance's place to celebrate with champagne and sushi. He didn't know that Iris had called off the day. She unlocked the door to his apartment; she had a spare. Once inside, she heard noises: a bed creaking and moans. Her heart stopped as she listened to the noises coming from his room. Iris slowly walked to his room and opened the door.

Iris screamed and cried. Her fiance was with her sister! Derek was shocked and tried telling her it was not what it looked like. Her sister didn't say anything; she looked indifferent. As Iris cried and screamed, Brianna had a slight smirk on her lips.

She did it on purpose; she didn't care if she hurt Iris, her flesh and blood. Iris ran and drove away. She wasn't in her right state of mind, and she went to a park and cried in her car. Iris called her now ex-fiance's parents and told them what happened and the wedding was off. They were in shock and angry with their son's actions. When Iris called her parents, it was a different story. They were heartbroken about what happened but dared to say that Brianna was not to blame. That she was an addict and she needed their support.

Her parents were giving excuses for Brianna and were still instigating her behavior. Out of anger and hurt, Iris told them they were worthless parents who always had high expectations for her. She also said to them that they always defended her sister's wrongdoings and that she regretted helping them get residency. Iris hung up, and she stayed in the park's parking lot. She got calls from her parents and now ex-fiance. Iris sent a text to her best friend and told her what happened. She tried calling Iris, but she didn't answer.

She couldn't.

Her heart hurt so much, and Iris cried so much that she slept in her car. When she woke up, it was already 9 p.m., and Iris didn't want to return to her place. Derek or her parents might be there, and they thought it would be best to go to a hotel. 

Iris was about to drive away but noticed a man slowly walking in the park. He was so good-looking that he looked like a model. He stood six feet tall; his black hair was in disarray, and his face was broad and clean-shaven. His body was muscular since his clothing clung to his body. The man looked so down, so broken. Iris could tell by the look on his face. It was strange; she felt her heart beating rapidly when she laid eyes on him.

"Why am I feeling this way?" she asked herself. It was as if all she went through today vanished. Iris focused on the man, and something in her heart and mind told her to get out of the car and go to him. She slowly got out of her car and slowly walked toward him. The closer she got, she saw him get a gun from the back of his pants.

This man was alone in the park, with a gun. That meant one thing: the gun was for himself. He was going to kill himself! Iris ran toward the man; she wanted to yell, but her throat was dry. She took deep breaths and gathered her strength. "H-Hey there!? A-A-Are you okay!?"

Iris finally got to him but kept her distance. The man flinched and slowly looked up at her. Iris saw his beautiful green eyes. They were so lovely and mesmerizing. He was silent; his eyes widened, and his beautiful, thin lips opened slightly. The man dropped his gun to the ground; tears formed in his eyes.

"Mate..." he said.