Chapter 2 - The Severed Knot
The air turned instantly to ice as Christian’s gaze pinned Victoria in place. The smirk that had painted the maid of honor’s face bled away into stark terror. Richard finally seemed to find his voice from the altar, descending two steps with theatrical outrage. ""Vance, what the hell do you think you’re doing? This is my wedding!""
""A wedding requires a protector, Richard,"" Christian replied without glancing back. His voice was quiet, vibrating through the high stone arches. ""You stood there like a statue while your bride was stripped bare.""
Elena trembled under the weight of Christian’s wool coat. The warmth was foreign, intoxicating, and dangerous. Christian Vance was her family’s most ruthless rival, the man her late father had warned her never to cross. Yet Richard, the boy she had trusted with her family’s legacy, had not lifted a finger.
Christian reached out, his ink-stained knuckles gently guiding Elena’s chin upward. ""Look at him, Elena. Is this the life you are begging for?""
Elena swallowed the lump in her throat and looked toward the altar. Beside Richard, she noticed the faint smear of red lipstick on his crisp collar—the exact shade Victoria wore. The pieces snapped together with horrifying clarity. It had not been an accident.
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""I'm not marrying you,"" Elena whispered into the church's cavernous silence.
Richard lunged forward, his face mottled with rage. ""You dare humiliate me in front of everyone? Sign the registry, Elena, or your father’s firm dies today!""
