Elena's smile felt frozen as whispers rippled through the hall. She could feel Adrian's eyes locked on her, burning into her skin.
Alexander leaned slightly closer, lowering his voice so only she could hear.
"Elena… do you know him?"
Her throat tightened. "No," she lied quickly, gripping her bouquet harder.
Alexander's brow furrowed. His hand brushed hers, steady but firm, and she could feel the tension in his grip. He didn't believe her.
The priest cleared his throat, trying to go on, but Adrian's voice cut through the air.
"Elena."
Her heart jumped into her throat.
Gasps filled the room. Heads turned toward the back, and the priest froze mid-sentence.
Elena's knees trembled. "Please," she whispered under her breath, barely moving her lips. She wasn't sure if she was begging Adrian to stop or begging herself not to fall apart.
Alexander glanced at her again, his eyes sharp.
"What's going on?"
Before she could answer, Adrian took a step forward. His gaze never wavered.
"You can't marry him."
The words rang out like thunder.
Alexander stiffened, his calm mask cracking. His voice was low, but it carried.
"Excuse me?"
Adrian didn't flinch. "She belongs with me."
The guests erupted—some gasped, others whispered, a few raised their phones to record. The quiet ceremony had turned into a storm.
Elena's chest tightened. Her bouquet shook in her hands. "Stop it, Adrian," she managed, her voice sharp but trembling.
He looked straight at her. "You know this isn't right. You know it."
Alexander stepped forward now, blocking part of her view of Adrian. His jaw was hard, his voice clipped. "Who do you think you are, barging in here?"
Adrian's lips curved into a grim smile. "The man she was supposed to marry."
The hall exploded with noise. Guests gasped louder, some rising from their seats, whispers flying across the room like wildfire.
Elena froze, her blood running cold. "No," she whispered, shaking her head. "That's not true. Adrian, don't—"
He raised his hand slightly, silencing her with a look. His eyes were heavy, full of something she recognized but couldn't name. Pain. Regret. Determination.
Alexander turned to Elena, his voice dropping low but hard as steel. "Elena… explain this. Now."
Her mouth opened, but no words came out. Her past and present stood on opposite sides of the aisle, and she was trapped in the middle.
And as Adrian's eyes bore into hers, she realized something terrifying.
He hadn't just come to stop the wedding.
He had come with a secret. One powerful enough to destroy everything.