Chapter 1 The Uninvited Groom

I’ve imagined this day a thousand times. The aisle draped in white roses, the faint rustle of silk as I walk toward the man I love, the moment our eyes meet and the rest of the world fades.

Today, I’m not just becoming someone’s wife.

I’m becoming Adrian Calloway's. My best friend, my safe place, the man whose love pulled me through every shadow.

The church falls into reverent silence, every gaze drawn to us.

The priest clears his throat, his voice solemn as it rolls through the vaulted ceiling. “Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today—”

"Stop the wedding."

A collective gasp echoes through the crowd. My head turns toward the voice. A man strides down the aisle—fitted in a black suit, one eye wrapped neatly with bandage. The suit accentuates his broad shoulders and lean physique, making him look effortlessly powerful.

"I said stop this wedding," he repeats, eyes boring into me. His voice is calm. Unnervingly so. "She's already married to me."

My breath catches. Married to him?

"Mr. Reynolds!" The man calls.

My father rushes to the altar, his entire body vibrating with anxiety. He pulls the stranger aside, out of earshot, whispering softly. Adrian glances at me, confusion darkening his features and I vehemently shake my head.

"I.. I don't know what this is about," My voice comes out as a rough croak. "He's lying. I've never been married to anyone"

He looks at me. “Liora?”

“I swear, Adrian, I don’t know him.”

He nods, jaw tightening. He believes me. He always does. I glance toward my father, still locked in hushed conversation with the intruder. The audacity to crash my wedding and claim I'm his wife. I've never even seen him before today.

When my father returns, his eyes are sunken in shame and regret.

"Liora," his lips tremble around my name. "Look. We need to talk"

My knees buckle, threatening to send me crashing to the ground. "Dad, what's going on?"

"I'll explain everything," he takes my hand in his. "Just come with me."

I turn to Adrian who's sporting a bewildered expression. My pulse pounds harder.

"I’m not going anywhere,” I breathe, backing away. “Tell me what’s happening.”

Dad takes a deep breath, weighing his words carefully.

“It happened when you were seventeen," he murmurs. "You were sick, Liora. Dying. And he.. he paid for the surgery. The doctors. Everything. We had no choice.”

My blood turns to ice.

My lips part, but no sound comes out. Sick and dying. I remember the hospital room and the look in Dad's eyes then. I never knew how he paid. I never asked. God, why didn’t I ask?

“In exchange… he asked for your hand, then vanished for years. I never thought it would come to this,” he continues. “I didn’t think he’d actually come back.”

"What are you saying?" I choke out. "I'm married to that man? But I love Adrian—"

"I've tried negotiating with him, Li," He says, giving my hand a squeeze. "But he's not budging. I think.. we have to pause the wedding."

A striking pain lances through my skull. Pause the wedding? The most beautiful day of my life? My world tilts.

"Can't we pay him off?" I croak, the words slipping out in a shaky whisper. "Money solves everything. Just offer him money so he can leave."

“I tried,” he whispers. “I tried to offer him money. He refused. He wants you.”

I yank my hand from his grasp. This.. this cannot be happening. Adrian takes a cautious step back from me, creating distance, and my heart shatters. Hot tears spill from my eyes, rolling down my cheeks.

"It'll be alright," Dad says, forcing a small smile. "I'll just ask the guests to go home. We.. we can even reschedule the wedding for tomorrow after Nikolai is gone."

Nikolai. That's his name? I look behind me. He's standing at a distance, yet his eyes are lingering on me. His expression is calm, but there’s something in it that makes my skin prickle.. like I’m prey and he’s already decided I’m caught. My gaze shifts back to Adrian.

"I.. I'm so sorry," I collapse into his arms and his fingers encircles my waist, pulling me close. "I.. I didn't know."

"It's fine," he responds, pressing his lips on my forehead. "We'll figure it out together"

My father steps away from us and turns to face the congregation.

"There's been a hiccup in the flow of events," he announces and the crowd bursts into a fit of murmurs. "The wedding will be—"

"Will be what?" Nikolai interrupts. "Why waste a perfectly good day and perfectly good audience?"

He takes long strides to the altar, moving with a fluid, predatory grace.

"Our marriage should be made official. Right here. Right now."

"You're insane," Adrian steps forward. "Fuck off. We'll pay you whatever you spent on her."

Nikolai clicks his tongue, as if addressing a foolish child. "You must be slow witted, lover boy. She's already married. She's been mine for several years now"

"She's not yours," Adrian grits his teeth, clenching his fists.

“I paid for her life,” Nikolai says coolly, his hands sliding into his pocket. “Without me, she wouldn’t be here to marry you. The contract was clear. In exchange for saving her, she becomes my wife."

"I.. I can't marry you," I rasp, my voice strained. "Please. I love someone else. I'd rather die than marry you."

Nikolai tilts his head, a smile stretching his lips. “You almost did once, sweetheart. Let’s not tempt fate again.”

"Dad," I spin around, facing him. "Say something. Tell him to leave. Please."

"Niko—"

"Look around, Mr Reynolds," he interrupts, a mischievous smile tugging the corner of his lips.

Though the command is meant for my father, I'm the first to obey. At first, it’s all familiar faces.. friends, family, business partners. But then I see them.

Guards. Not obvious, suited like security. Hands near their hips, coats hiding the outline of weapons.

I blink. Someone near the back whispers, “Are those guns?”

"I don't want to do this the hard way," Nikolai says calmly. "So, please comply. Or.. things get real ugly."

“You’re threatening people,” Adrian says, anger flaring in his eyes.

“I’m offering protection,” Nikolai responds, a cruel smile playing on his lips. “From what happens if this union is denied.”

The priest fumbles his Bible, eyes darting toward the exits.

“Go on,” Nikolai says, voice smooth. “Begin.”

“I.. I can’t,” the priest stammers.

“You can,” Nikolai says. “Or I can find someone else. Someone more… compliant.”

Adrian turns to me, his face full of panic. “Liora. Say no. We’ll run if we have to—”

“You won’t get far,” Nikolai replies, almost kindly.

"Don't do this," I cry, my knees hitting the cold tile. "Please."

He turns to face the priest again. "Begin the wedding."

"You think you can force me to marry you and I’ll just… obey?” I push to my feet, clenching my teeth. "I love—"

He steps closer, towering over me. “Oh no, sweetheart. I expect you to fight me. I want you to. What’s the fun in owning something that doesn’t burn in your hands?”

I glance to Dad and his eyes are buried on the tiled floor. Nikolai takes a step closer to me.

"Don't touch her," Adrian's jaw clench, a muscle ticking. "Step away."

Nikolai pulls something from his coat. A small pistol. He points it, not at me, but at Adrian.

"Step back, lover boy."

Adrian freezes, slowly stepping away. My heart hammers in my chest.

Nikolai lowers the gun with a smile, then faces the priest.

"For the last time, begin"

The priest gulps, then opens the book.

“D-Do you, take—”

“I do,” Nikolai says without hesitation, his eyes riveting on me, drinking in every detail.

The priest faces me, his fingers trembling.

"Do you, Liora Reynolds, take this young man to be your lawfully wedded husband? In sickness and in.."

His words fade into a dull hum. All my life, I've only loved one man. And in the space of few minutes, everything has been twisted.

"She agrees,” Nikolai says coolly. “Her silence is as good as a yes.”

Those words from Nikolai jolts me back to reality. The vows are done. His hand grabs mine and he slips a ring in my fingers.

"...What do you think—" I wring my fingers, the cold metal falling to the tiled floor, clinking as it rolls. "Don't think I'm going to—"

The rest of my sentence dies in my throat as I see Adrian walking away, out of the church. I gather my dress in my hand, running after him.

"Adrian!"

The sunlight slams into my face when I step out making me squint. Adrian doesn't stop. He heads to his car and I chase after him, relentless. Finally, he turns around to face me.

"Liora," he mumbles, his voice frayed. His eyes seemed to dull, the light fading from them. The sight makes something twist painfully in my chest. "Let's not make this any harder. You're married to someone else. Your father—"

"My father what?" I cry. "Seven years, Adi. Seven years of us. Are you going to ditch me just because my father signed a stupid contract with that man? You are going to forget about me like it meant nothing?"

"Heaven knows I can't," he purses his lips. "You.. you're married now. I need to clear my head. I.. I can't think straight. I'm sorry."

A single tear wells in his eyes as he slides into his car, speeding off. A sharp pain stabs at my chest.

Clap. Clap. Clap.

I turn around, it's Nikolai. My teeth grind so hard, my jaw aches.

"This what you want?" I hiss, rage coursing through my veins. "Ruining the only thing that ever mattered to me?"

"You must love him so much," he clicks his tongue in mock pity. "In that case... would this interest you?"

He slides his phone up from his pocket and my fists clench. He points the screen in my face and the image staring back at me makes my heart drop cold.

It's Adrian. In bed with another woman.