something so bad an

ch door, her knuckles white with pressure as she held on to the exquisite lace adorning her bridal gown. The garm

ad expected. Though every instinct told her to run away, there was a glimmer of optimism hidden behind t

, Lena," he whispered, his voice thick with concern. His eyes searched hers

ch was at risk for her to make a mistake at this poi

reconsider and that, deep down, the man she loved was still alive.

, but there was something strange in her gaze.

. Pulling back his dark hair, his tailored suit fitting him perfectly, exuding pow

fection in his eyes. Just a glaring flame of animosity and unwavering determination. Even with the cold expression in

but she barely regarded them. She was staring at Adrian with he

assion she had previously experienced in his eyes was long gone. Now, they

was another way." James sighed,

, her eyes misting over.

l step forward, Lena's stomach churned, every movement feeling like a battle due to the weight of he

ng of something new when she got to Adrian. She shivered at the sensation of his fingers. H

rone in Lena's ears. She barely heard the words,

talking until the sun rose. She remembered the way he used to lo

way he promised to always be there for her. But that

our lawfully wedded wife?" the priest's voice cut th

was cold, emoti

ore. Despite the fact that every word felt like a dagger cutting through her heart,

take Adrian Calloway to be y

sion that she was gazing down into a chasm from the edge of

f James. For her parents who have passed away. for all that they had construct

r voice trembling with th

wife," the priest declared, a cheerfulness in his tone unkno

it, Lena turned to face him. His eyes conveyed a cold, calculating l

s a formality, quick. However, Lena felt a sensation that wasn't at all cold.

walked through the crowd like a ghost. Disconnected from the reality of her own circumstances, she felt as though she was

r. He didn't say much, and his answers were concise and direct. His words and touches lacked wa

ght sky. Gleaming in the darkness like faint recollections, the stars shone brightly. She wan

pun around to see Adrian staring at her f

his voice as cold as the wind that whipp

to say something, to try and reach the part of him that s

try to make this something it's not. We're marri

in of her hopes. "I know," she whispered, her voice barely

htening. "Sorry? For what? For ruin

her eyes. "I didn't mean for any of that to happen, Adrian.

th anger. "You don't remember? Or you

"I swear, Adrian, I don't remember. I've tri

, isn't it? But it doesn't matter. You'll pay

. "I don't know, Adrian. I wish I could remember, but I can't. All I know is that I

hat's enough? You think your empty apologies will bring her back? You t

er chest, her breath catchi

rning with anger. "I don't want to hear yo

rned and left Lena alone on the balco

f and convince him that she wasn't the monster he thought her to be. Noth

urn, but it was not Adrian who came out onto the balcony.

to her. "I saw Adrain leaving so I gu

didn't reach her eyes. "I'm

tudied her face. "You don't have to lie t

rself to agree. "I know, James. But I can't just give up o

pained. "I know you do, but l

now what it was like to love someone so much that it consumed you, that it became a p

r. She had to seize the opportunity if Adrian had the tiniest possi

determined to keep fighting for th

did she have to suffer for s