Chapter 1
1612 Words
The church bells echoed across the city as luxury cars rolled to a stop outside St. Augustine Cathedral. Reporters crowded behind security barriers, cameras flashing nonstop, desperate to capture the most anticipated wedding of the year.
Inside, the cathedral looked like something from a fairy tale. Thousands of white roses lined the aisle, crystal chandeliers sparkled overhead, and soft music drifted through the air. Every seat was filled with powerful business tycoons, politicians, celebrities, and members of elite families. Everyone had gathered for one reason—to witness the marriage of Adrian Kingsley, the youngest billionaire in the country, and Evelyn Hart.
The massive wooden doors slowly opened.
Every conversation stopped.
Every head turned.
Evelyn stepped inside.
A wave of admiration swept through the crowd.
She looked breathtaking in her custom-made white wedding gown. Tiny diamonds embroidered into the fabric caught the light with every step, making her appear as though she were glowing. A delicate veil framed her face, while her dark hair flowed in soft curls over her shoulders.
She should have felt like the happiest woman alive.
Instead, her hands trembled slightly beneath the bouquet she carried.
She took a slow breath.
This is really happening.
Five years ago, she had met Adrian Kingsley by chance. She had never imagined that the quiet, handsome stranger who offered her his umbrella during a storm would one day become the love of her life.
Five years of memories.
Five years of laughter.
Five years of believing she had found the only man she would ever love.
Now, she was only a few steps away from becoming Mrs. Kingsley.
Her father smiled warmly as he offered his arm.
"You look exactly like your mother did on our wedding day," he whispered.
Evelyn's eyes watered.
"Really?"
He nodded.
"She would have been so proud of you."
A lump formed in Evelyn's throat.
"I wish she were here."
"So do I."
He gently squeezed her hand before leading her forward.
The orchestra began playing.
One step.
Then another.
The cathedral seemed to disappear around her as her eyes locked onto the man waiting at the end of the aisle.
Adrian.
Tall.
Confident.
Unbelievably handsome in a perfectly tailored black tuxedo.
The moment he saw her, a soft smile appeared on his face.
It was the smile that had stolen her heart years ago.
The smile that always made her believe she was safe.
She smiled back without realizing tears had begun to gather in her eyes.
When she finally reached him, her father placed her hand into Adrian's.
Adrian's fingers wrapped around hers.
They were warm.
Steady.
Comforting.
"You look beautiful," he whispered.
Evelyn laughed softly through her tears.
"And you're making me cry before the ceremony even starts."
"I've waited a long time for this."
"So have I."
For a brief moment, nothing else existed.
Not the guests.
Not the cameras.
Not the whispers.
Just the two of them.
The priest stepped forward with a warm smile.
"Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today to celebrate the union of Adrian Kingsley and Evelyn Hart."
Silence settled over the cathedral.
Everything felt perfect.
Almost too perfect.
Then Evelyn noticed something strange.
Adrian's smile disappeared.
His eyes shifted past her.
Toward the entrance.
His expression changed so suddenly that it made her heart skip a beat.
The color drained from his face.
His jaw tightened.
His fingers around hers became painfully tight.
She frowned.
"Adrian?"
He didn't answer.
He continued staring toward the cathedral doors as though he had seen a ghost.
A cold chill crept down Evelyn's spine.
Slowly, she turned to look.
The giant wooden doors opened again.
A woman stood in the doorway.
She wore a long black dress that clung to her rain-soaked body. Her dark hair was wet, strands sticking to her pale face. In one hand, she clutched a large brown envelope. The other rested protectively over her stomach.
The orchestra stopped playing.
The room fell into complete silence.
The woman began walking down the aisle.
Her heels echoed against the marble floor.
Click.
Click.
Click.
Every guest watched in stunned confusion.
No one moved.
No one spoke.
The woman stopped several feet away from the altar.
Her red, tear-filled eyes met Adrian's.
His breathing became uneven.
For the first time since Evelyn had known him...
He looked terrified.
The woman swallowed hard before looking directly at Evelyn.
"I'm sorry," she said, her voice shaking. "But this wedding can't happen."
Confused murmurs spread through the cathedral.
The priest stepped forward.
"Miss, this is a private ceremony. I'll have to ask you to—"
"It's illegal," she interrupted.
She slowly lifted the brown envelope.
"I have proof."
Evelyn stared at her, unable to understand what was happening.
"What proof?"
The woman opened the envelope with trembling hands.
She pulled out several official-looking documents.
Then photographs.
Finally, she held up a certificate for everyone to see.
Tears streamed down her face as she looked straight at Adrian.
"I never wanted to do this."
She closed her eyes for a brief second before speaking the words that shattered Evelyn's world.
"Because... I'm already Adrian Kingsley's legal wife."Evelyn's bouquet slipped from her fingers.
White roses scattered across the polished marble floor.
For a moment, no one moved.
No one breathed.
The only sound inside the cathedral was the pounding of Evelyn's heart.
No...
This has to be a joke.
She forced herself to laugh, but no sound came out.
Her eyes shifted to Adrian.
He would deny it.
He had to.
Instead, he stood frozen.
His face had turned ghostly pale.
His lips parted, yet no words came.
That silence hurt far more than any confession could.
The guests erupted into whispers.
"Did she just say she's his wife?"
"This can't be real."
"Was the billionaire living a double life?"
"I knew something felt strange."
Camera flashes exploded from every direction as reporters rushed toward the altar.
Security guards immediately blocked their path, but dozens of phones were already recording.
Within minutes, the scandal would be all over the internet.
The mysterious woman wiped her tears away and walked closer.
"I'm sorry," she whispered to Evelyn. "I never wanted to ruin your wedding."
Evelyn stared at her.
"Then why are you here?"
"Because I had no choice."
She held out the marriage certificate with trembling hands.
"It's real."
One of the lawyers sitting in the front row stood up.
"May I see that document?"
The woman nodded.
He carefully examined the certificate.
The cathedral fell silent again.
His expression slowly changed from curiosity...
...to disbelief.
Finally, he looked toward Adrian.
"The seal is authentic."
A wave of gasps swept through the crowd.
"The signatures are genuine."
Another gasp.
"The marriage was legally registered three years ago."
Evelyn felt the floor disappear beneath her feet.
Three years ago...
Three years ago, Adrian had been taking her on romantic vacations.
Buying her flowers.
Promising to marry her.
Telling her she was the only woman he would ever love.
Her breathing became uneven.
She looked back at Adrian.
"Tell them they're wrong."
He closed his eyes.
"Evelyn..."
"No."
Her voice cracked.
"Tell them."
He took one step toward her.
"I can explain."
She stepped back immediately.
"Explain what?"
Tears filled her eyes.
"Explain how you married another woman while asking me to marry you?"
The crowd watched in stunned silence.
"Evelyn..."
"I asked you a question!"
Her voice echoed through the cathedral.
The mysterious woman lowered her head.
"I never wanted to hurt you."
Evelyn turned sharply toward her.
"You knew he was engaged."
"I did."
"And you still stayed with him?"
Fresh tears rolled down the woman's cheeks.
"It wasn't that simple."
Evelyn laughed bitterly.
"Oh, really? Then please tell me what part of marrying another woman's fiancé is complicated."
Before the woman could answer, Adrian finally spoke.
"Enough."
His voice was calm.
Firm.
Everyone turned toward him.
"This isn't her fault."
Evelyn stared at him in disbelief.
He was protecting her.
Not his fiancée.
Not the woman whose heart had just been shattered in front of hundreds of people.
The stranger.
Something inside Evelyn broke.
"So..." she whispered.
"You choose her."
Adrian immediately shook his head.
"No. That's not what I said."
"Then what are you saying?"
He opened his mouth.
Nothing came out.
His silence became her answer.
Evelyn slowly removed the diamond engagement ring from her finger.
The ring Adrian had slipped onto her hand exactly one year earlier beneath a sky full of fireworks.
She looked at it for a long moment.
Then placed it in his palm.
"I loved you," she said quietly.
"So much that I never questioned you."
Her voice trembled.
"I trusted every promise you made."
A tear slid down her cheek.
"I even defended you when people said billionaires never marry for love."
She smiled sadly.
"I was the fool."
Adrian's hand tightened around the ring.
"Evelyn... please..."
She shook her head.
"Don't."
For the first time in five years, she looked into his eyes without seeing the man she loved.
Only a stranger.
She turned to leave.
Then—
"Get down!"
The shout came from the back of the cathedral.
A deafening gunshot shattered the stained-glass windows.
The sound echoed through the church like thunder.
Guests screamed.
Another gunshot rang out.
Then another.
Masked men dressed in black tactical gear stormed through the broken entrance, carrying assault rifles.
"Nobody move!"
Panic exploded.
People ran in every direction.
Children cried.
Guests dove beneath the pews.
More gunfire erupted.
Glass rained from the ceiling.
"Evelyn!" Adrian shouted.
She turned just in time to see one of the gunmen raising his rifle...
...and aiming directly at her.
- Writer
