The Wrong Wedding

off of him was unmistakable. He wasn't rushing, but every movement had purpose. Control.

s stood frozen, drinks half-raised, watching the unexpected scene u

y were shaking. She didn't know where to look. Everywhere she turned, someon

w her life was

a weddi

ace with a billionaire

ot after crashin

ble. His eyes cut through her like glass. His jaw was tight, l

his voice low and cold. It wasn't a shout. It

s came out. Her chest rose and fell

stammered, but he cut her off

ng?" His eyes narrowed. "Because t

ng, their eyes wide, waiting for a scene. Some even looked e

t... needed to get away. I came here on a boat. I didn'

idn't

g, and you want me to believe it's all a coincidence?" His words

d, more firmly this time

him. Just

lifted slight

ds spilling out now. "I left him at t

yes, curiosity, maybe. Or something else. He took a breath, glan

he muttered un

r out. To yell. To call security. But in

ice so only she could hear, and sai

our mess?" he asked quie

inked.

now, even colder than before, but controlled. Like h

n, stunned. "I...

e something. I want her to know she didn't win. You help me

tly open. The words made no sens

nd to be engaged to y

say. Stay by my side. And in return, I make sure n

ane. Unreal. But her choices? They were even worse. Sh

, she h

ranger was offering her

fake something like t

have to fake much. Just stay close,

ucy stood nearby, her face l

ind out I'm not really

. "And if they do... we

a pause. A

kay," she whispe

. She barely heard the music, the toasts, or the distant waves outside.

wearing her

nding this

ay much. But every so often, he would glance at her

yes, but not careless. Every step he took, every wor

?" she asked quietly as they wal

s head slightl

rself. The wind felt sharper her

aid without hesitation. "She jus

ed. "And when

answer r

finally said, "we wal

d to beli

side told her this wa

er. It was beautiful, way too beautiful. White sheets. Gold fix

t feel l

one else had booked. Like a tr

mind kept going back to Cade, his voice, his o

as she

she sa

e her thoughts. S

ce came from the ot

ted, then

always, but there was something softer in

on you," he said, his vo

though she couldn't

longer, then stepped into th

to pretend to be

," she a

ed. The silence str

voice that fro

es

te word. One she

tu

one hand on the frame, he

've just walked into," Luc

th caught in

dn't r

coul

had alrea