Chapter 4: Crashed Wedding
875 Words
Serena’s POV
The three days flew by in a blur, and just like Gareth had said, everything was already planned and ready.
And now here we were.
The Abyssal Group’s hillside estate sparkled under the sun. I stood on the raised platform in my white, gorgeous wedding dress.
One I didn’t choose, of course.
Gareth looked perfect in his tailored suit. “You look beautiful, Serena,” he whispered as my father handed me.
“And you’re very handsome,” I replied with a smile.
“Shall we?” He asked, and I nodded.
The priest started shortly after. “Thank you for joining us in today’s ceremony, ladies and gentlemen. Today, we celebrate the union between Gareth Voss and Serena Thorne…”
His words passed like a blur, and then it was time for the rings.
Gareth reached for my hand, his touch firm, green eyes locked on mine. The crowd held its breath. Just as he slid the band toward my finger—
The doors at the back slammed open.
Elowen Hayes stormed in.
What the hell is she doing here?! I wondered.
And why did she have a… huge belly? I left New York like a month ago!
Tears streamed down her face.
“How dare you!” she cried. “Serena Thorne— or should I say Serena Lewis?—doesn’t deserve to stand here! She’s nothing but the discarded w***e from Lancer Group!”
Gasps rippled through the crowd.
She pointed straight at me, playing the victim. “For three years I watched her grovel at Kian Reed’s feet! She gave him everything—her time, her money, her body—and he still threw her away like trash. She’s unworthy of a man like Gareth Voss. I carry the true heir of the Voss family. I have the blood, the resources, the status to stand at the top. Not some arranged-climbing nobody who only got here because her daddy made a deal!”
Whispers exploded. Every gaze burned into me.
This was a nightmare, but I was going to put an end to it.
Why did she come here?
No idea, but I don’t care.
I was about to open my mouth when Kian appeared right behind her, grabbing her arm as if to pull her back. But his eyes met mine; I realized this was all an act.
“Elowen, enough—” he started. “Serena resented me, Mr. Voss. Don’t let her fool you; she only came here to get revenge on me. She’s… pitiable, really.”
My hands trembled at my sides, but I kept my face calm. I was not going to listen to their bull—
Gareth’s hand shot up, silencing the entire room in an instant.
“Enough,” he said coolly, silencing all the whispers. His gaze swept down to Elowen and Kian like they were insects. “I was aware that she had dated a leech back in New York, someone that wasn’t worthy of her true status as the heiress of the Thorne Group. I never expected you to interfere with our wedding, considering all the help Serene gave to your pathetic company.”
Ouch!
“Now, regarding Elowen. I was not aware that you knew my wife three years ago. In fact, if I remember correctly, you met her one year ago, and started groveling after her boyfriend at the time. That baby,” he pointed at her belly. “Must be at least five months old, and I have stayed in Europe for a year, so unless you teleported here, it’s not mine, but the man’s behind you.”
I stared at what he said, dumbfounded. He knew… a lot.
“Everyone has a past, but as far as it concerns me, my wife has not done anything to feel ashamed of.”
Elowen’s tearful mask cracked. “But she—”
Gareth didn’t let her finish. “You come here, pregnant or not, to defile my wedding with petty grievances? This is Abyssal territory. Your drama has no place here.”
He turned his eyes on Kian, tone dropping even lower. “Control your people, Reed. And your own affairs. If either of you slanders my wife or causes trouble again, then every cooperative agreement between Lancer Group and Hayes Group will end immediately. I will bury you both.”
The silence was deafening.
Kian’s face paled. Elowen stepped back, hand on her belly, suddenly looking small.
Gareth didn’t wait for a response. He turned to me, his expression softening just enough for the crowd to see, but his eyes still burned with that absolute control. “The ceremony continues,” he announced to the room. “My wife and I have vows to finish.”
He took my hand again, and the wedding continued.
I was in a daze the rest of the event. He… defended me? Why?
Was it because of the contract? Because we couldn’t let anyone know we didn’t like each other?
I wasn’t sure.
I whispered under my breath, just for him, “You didn’t have to do that.”
Gareth’s lips brushed my ear as he leaned in. “You’re a Voss now, Serena. No one touches what’s mine.”
- Writer
