Ivana stood in front of the mirror, the weight of her wedding dress pressing heavily on her shoulders. The intrica

de, but her eyes betrayed the turmoil within. She clenched her hands at her s

ear?" a soft voice a

es clouded by sadness. Mrs. Jonathan stepped into the room,

other whispered, though her

at. "Is this what love looks like, M

Sometimes love means doing what's nece

be strong, but her heart ached with betrayal. She wasn't walki

-

ony was a

ined the aisle, their delicate fragrance filling the air with a sweetness that turned Ivana's stomach. Every eye watched her as

He exuded confidence and control, his eyes never leaving her as she

of his touch sear her skin. She wanted to pull away, but her fingers r

your lawfully wedded wife, to have and to hold,

ck said witho

tened as the offic

your lawfully wedded husband, to have and to hold

. For a brief, agonizing moment, t

ip on her ha

pered, her voice

onto her finger

-

d through the crowd like a ghost, smiling when required, speaking when spoken to, but

low and commanding, sent

ce him, her smil

e wit

n't a

t her waist. The music swelled, a waltz that should h

d, his lips close to her ear. "

Is that what you wanted? A p

old. "I wanted contro

s, but she refused to let them f

fragile things, easily broken.

-

ze a small comfort against the firestorm within her. Below, the city glitte

celebration," a voice

the shadows. His dark eyes were filled with s

e said, stepping

k's br

was different from Patrick-softer around the edges, with a

though his tone was somber.

to a bitter smile. "

d with understanding.

it," she whispered, he

I do know that chains, no matte

felt seen-truly seen. It was a small, fragile c

said gently. "It wouldn't do f

reality settling once more on he

knowing smile. "

adows, she felt the stirrings