veins of fate

Night of the wedding....7:45pm Vixen, the female lead, stands in her wedding gown, looking like any normal bride would - white lace, fitted silk, delicate pearls. Except her expression Is anything but normal . Instead of being happy ,over the moon , excited and all, Her face is tightly drawn with agony. Her hands tremble slightly at her sides. Who woundn't look this way after being forced to end a long-term relationship, only to be dragged into an arranged marriage? She exhales sharply and grabs her phone, dialing the last number she ever expected to call. A contact once saved with hearts, roses and wedding rings - now reduced to something plain and rusy. Relief floods her chest when the call connects. "Vance, "vixen breathes . "Vix-???", he sounds shocked ."what do you want now??", His voice hardens, sharp with irritation. "If you tell me not to go through with the wedding," she says softly, hope clinging to every word, "I wont ". "What are you,nine??", he Scoffs. "we already broke up. What part of that don't you understand?" his tone snaps. "I have a girlfriend now. Please move on- congrats by the way". The line goes dead. Vixen stares at her phone as the beep echoes in her ears. The last thread of hope snaps. Tears blur her vison, mascara streaking down her cheeks. she checks the time- 7:58 p.m. Two minutes until she walks down the isle. Her heart cleanches painfully. "Is it even worth it ??" she whispers, her voice breaking. "Being tied to a stranger... someone people fear. Someone they call a monster." She lets out a bitter laugh. "A bloodthirsty mafia heir," she mutters. " I wont let fate decide my life for me." Vixen wipes the makeup from her face, cuts short the huge gown, making it easy to move in. As she works, footsteps approach her door. Times up. She locks the door from the inside and throws the keys out the window. Determined. she books a cab, ties a rope to the window frame, and takes one last breath before climbing out. The rope burns against her palm as she slides down, hitting the ground without looking back. She runs towards the back gates into the dark night. This wasn't the life she chose. And she refused to accept it. Earlier - Vance The call ends. Too fast. Vance stares at his phone like it might ring back on it own. Why did I say that ? He drags a hand through his hair, pacing the room. His chest 9 to move on. Told her he had someone else. "she called on her wedding day," he mutters to himself. "What was I supposed to do?" A Voice drifts from behind him. "Babe?" He freezes. Talia leans against the doorway, arms crossed loosely, curiosity sharp in her eyes. "Who was that?" she asks lightly, like she already knows the answer. "No one," Vance replies too quickly. She raises a brow." Didn't sound like no one." He exhales. "It was just... someone from my past." Talia steps closer, her tone soft but possessive. "You don't need to worry about the past anymore. You've got me now, remember?" He forces a nod. They were never official. Never defined anything. But she spoke like they were already written in ink. "I need some air," he says suddenly, grabbing his jacket. "Just - need to clear my head." She tilts her head. "Now?" "Yeah." Talia watches him carefully. " You'll be back soon, right?" "Of course," he lies. Outside,the night air hits him like a slap. He mounts his bike, the engine roaring to life beneath him. The city streches ahead, lights blurring as he speeds forward.His hands turn the handle instinctively. Toward the church. "I shouldn't have cut the call, "His thoughts race. "she sounded desperate. She sounded like she needed me." Traffic thickens. His phone buzzes in his pocket He doesn't look. Then- Headlights. A horn. Too close. The world tilts violently as something crashes into him- Meanwhile- Vixen... Barely looks at the car before sliping into it. She is too busy breathing. The door opens smoothly-too smoothly-and the interior welcomes her with muted lighting, soft leather and a faint expensive scent she can't place. No the sharp citrus or stale fabric of regular cabs. Her pulse stutters. Since when do cabs look like this? The door shuts behind her with a quiet, final click. "Seatbelt," a male voice says calmy. She blinks. Its not the bored, rushed tone she expects. Its deep. Controlled. Polished. She fasterns it, glancing forward. The driver is dressed in a dark suit. Not a cheap one. Tailored. Crisp. White shirt, cufflinks catching the light as his hands rest on the wheel. She frowns." Um... when did cab drivers start wearing suits?" A pause. Then-soft amusement. "Speacial occasions," he replied smoothly. Her lips twitch despite herself. "Right. Ofcourse." The car pulls away, gliding into traffic like he owns the road. She clears her throat. "I need to go somewhere specific." "Where ever you want," he says easily. She gives him the address.Vance's address. His eyes flick to the mirror. Recognition flashes-quick, unreadable. "Running toward something huh," he murmurs, more to himself than her. She stiffens."Exuse me?" He smiles faintly." Nothing. Long night. White dress, bare face and no entourage. Not exactly standard night attire." She exhales sharply. " You ask all your passengers questions like that?" "Only interesting ones." Her heart stumbles. She studies his reflection. His jaw is sharp. Calm. Too composed. "Well," she says."here's one for you. I just ran away from my wedding." That gets his full attention-just a glance, but its heavy. "Congratulations," he says midly. "that takes courage." "You don't even know why" she scoffs. "I dont need to. People dont just run unless staying hurts more," Her throat tightens. "They say the groom is terrifying," she admits quietly. "That he doesnt love-he controls.That marrying him is like signing away freedom." The car slows slightly. "Do you believe that?" he asks "I believe people dont lie for no reason." "And what about the man your going to?" he continues casualy." Is he worth it? " She hesitates. "He was," she whisphers. A beat. "Was," he repeats. She laughs softly. " your oddly invested for a driver. " I prefer to know who am transporting, after all....Some passengers change destinies." "You talk like your in a movie." "And you," he counters gently, "look like someone who hasn't been told the truth." Before she can respond, traffic slows. Sirens. People shouting. An accident. Vixen's patience finally snaps. The car slows, traffic crawling like a slug. She exhales sharply, muttering under her breath. "I can't sit here anymore." Before the driver can protest- or even speak- she opens the door and steps out. The city smelling rain, the evening light casting long shadows. Her heels click against the pavement as she walks. Travelling by car is going to be slow, too predictable, too controlled. She needs movement. Freedom. Action. Pasing through the crowd, she glances to the side. A familiar shape catches her eye- a bike lying twisted on the ground. For a moment, she thinks she knows it. The reflection of light glimmers onto the metal in a way that feels hauntinly familiar. Goosebumps crawl all over her skin as she notices dark crimson spreading beneath it. Her stomach twists violently. Instict and fear battle her chest. She hesitates. Her steps falter, but curiosity pulls her forward anyway. She approaches the crowd, but her mind screams at her to turn back, to continue her journey, to leave before she sees too much. She takes a trembling step back-but then something else catches her eye. A cab pulls up smoothly at the edge of the crowd. The door swings opens,and out jumps Talia- her distant friend, familiar and vibrant, but now her face is streaked with tears Vixen freezes. Talia?" she whispers, her voice barely audible, heart skipping a beat. Her mind scrambles. What is she doing here? This part of town? This time of night? Talia rushes towards the accident scene, sobbing openly. Something is horibly wrong. The sight of Talia in distress hit like a punch. Vixen swallows hard. She steps closer to the accident ground, hesitating. Her mind screamin warnings.Before she can turn, the crowd parts slightly, and Vixen sees him. Vance. Lying on the ground,his bike tipped beside him. Blood darkened, chaos surrounding him. Heart stops. Her legs get wobbly, she wants to scream, to run, to fix it- but she cant. All she can do is stare.She wants to make sense of it but she cant. Talia kneels beside him, sobbing uncontrollably. Vixen sees a finely wrapped gift box beside the helmet beneath her feet. She picks it up, opens it up - to find their promise rings in the box written; 224 :('today, tomorrow, forever'.) Vixen breaks down..The pieces now fit. End of chapter°°