Rejecting the Mafia Boss at the Altar

Chapter 3

Luxury cars choked the drive outside Holy Cross Cathedral. Every senior Hawthorne was in attendance, along with the heads of their affiliated gangs and representatives from the other powerful families.

I stood in the bridal suite in a white gown, the elaborate lace molded to my curves.

"That's enough. No more makeup." I rose before the artist could go any further, picked up my bouquet, and headed for the church doors.

As the heavy oak doors swung open before me, the stately organ music poured out and a soaring chorus of hymns filled the nave.

Bouquet in both hands, I walked down the red carpet without the slightest tremor in my step.

At the end of the aisle, beneath the sacred cross, Alvin stood waiting in an impeccably tailored black suit. His eyes held a tenderness that almost passed for love. When I reached the altar, he even offered me his hand.

I glanced at the VIPs in the front row.

Lina sat among them in a simple, elegant dress. Her scarf was gone, her smooth neck completely exposed. There was no wound, not even a trace of redness or swelling.

Our enemies never drew a blade without drawing blood. If Lina had truly come within an inch of having her throat slit three days earlier, her neck couldn't possibly be unmarked.

Unless, of course, the entire k********g had been nothing more than a crude play for sympathy.

Sensing my gaze, Lina lifted her chin and gave me a smug, provocative smile. I looked away with a faint, mocking smile of my own.

'Alvin, you think you're so clever, yet this woman has played you for a fool.'

The elderly priest opened his heavy Bible, and his weathered voice rang through the church.

"Before God, Alvin Hawthorne and Sara Sterling are about to enter the sacred covenant of marriage. Their two families shall stand as one, through life and death. This oath shall bind them for the rest of their lives."

Alvin gripped my cold hand and murmured in my ear, "Sara, I know you've endured a lot all these years. From this day forward, you will be the only woman at the head of the Hawthorne family. No one will ever dare disrespect you again."

I met his adoring gaze and simply smiled.

The priest faced Alvin and asked solemnly, "Alvin Hawthorne, do you take Sara Sterling as your wife? In poverty and in wealth, in sickness and in health, will you protect her and remain faithful to her until the end of your life?"

Alvin's voice was deep and resolute. "I do."

Warm applause rippled through the guests.

The priest turned to me. "Sara Sterling, do you take Alvin Hawthorne as your husband? Will you bind your fate to his, remain faithful to him, and together safeguard the honor of your families until the end of your life?"

The church fell silent. Everyone waited for my answer.

Alvin gazed at me, expectation and certainty shining in his gray eyes. Slowly, he extended his hand, ready to receive my vow.

I looked at him and drew a deep breath. Then, slowly and deliberately, I pulled my hand from his.

The smile froze on Alvin's face. A frown cut across his brow, and he lowered his voice, displeasure and panic edging his tone. "Sara, what are you doing? Stop this nonsense!"

Meeting his astonished gaze, I drew the silver dagger from beneath the lace folds of my gown. The blade caught the cold light of the altar.

Muffled gasps erupted from the pews below. Alvin's men instinctively reached for the guns at their waists.

I ignored the chaos and held his gaze. The church went dead silent as the color drained from his face. Then I began to speak.