The Billionaire's Runaway Bride

The music was loud, the lights were bright, and hundreds of guests filled the grand hall. Aria Bennett stood in front of the mirror, staring at herself in her wedding dress. The white gown fit her perfectly. Her long dark hair fell over her shoulders, and a delicate veil covered part of her face. She should have been happy. Today was supposed to be the happiest day of her life. Instead, her heart felt strangely heavy. “Aria!” her best friend Lily called from outside. “Are you ready?” Aria took a deep breath. “Yes. Give me a minute.” She looked at the diamond ring on her finger. She had dreamed about this moment for years. She had trusted him. She had loved him. And she believed he loved her too. Until ten minutes ago. Her phone vibrated on the dressing table. Aria frowned and picked it up. There was a message from an unknown number. You need to know the truth before you marry him. Her heart skipped. Another message appeared. Check the room beside the ballroom. Go alone. Aria stared at the screen. This had to be a joke. But something inside her told her to go. She lifted her dress slightly and quietly left the bridal room. The hallway was almost empty. She reached the room beside the ballroom and pushed the door open. Her eyes widened. There were photographs spread across a table. Photographs of her fiancé. But he wasn't alone. He was standing with several men she recognized. Men who had been involved in her father's business. Men who had disappeared after her father's mysterious death. Aria's hands began to shake. “No…” She picked up another photograph. Her fiancé was handing a document to one of the men. The date on the document was the same week her father's company collapsed. A cold feeling spread through her body. Then she saw the final photograph. It showed her fiancé sitting across from her uncle. They were smiling. As if they had just won something. Aria's breathing became shallow. “My father…” Her voice trembled. “What did you do to my father?” Suddenly, she heard footsteps behind her. She turned. Her fiancé stood in the doorway. His expression was completely different from the loving man she thought she knew. Cold. Calm. Guilty. “Aria,” he said quietly. She stepped backward. “Tell me this isn't true.” He said nothing. “Tell me!” Her voice broke. He slowly closed the door behind him. “You weren't supposed to see those.” Tears filled Aria's eyes. “So it is true?” He looked away. “I can explain.” “No!” Aria removed the engagement ring from her finger and threw it at him. “You betrayed my family!” He didn't move. “You were supposed to marry me because you loved me,” she whispered. “Was everything a lie?” He finally looked at her. “I never loved you.” Those four words shattered her. Aria covered her mouth as tears rolled down her cheeks. Outside, wedding guests were waiting. The ceremony was minutes away. She had only one choice. Run. Aria grabbed the bottom of her wedding dress and rushed out of the room. “Aria!” Her fiancé shouted after her. She didn't stop. She ran through the back entrance of the hotel, still wearing her wedding dress and veil. Rain poured heavily outside. Cars passed by as she ran blindly down the street. She didn't know where she was going. She only knew she couldn't stay. A black luxury car suddenly stopped beside her. The back window lowered. A deep male voice came from inside. “Get in.” Aria froze. She looked at the stranger sitting in the darkness. His face was calm, but his eyes were sharp. “I don't know you.” “I know.” “Then why should I get in your car?” The man leaned slightly toward the window. “Because the people chasing you are already here.” Aria turned. At the end of the street, two black cars were approaching. Her heart pounded. She looked back at the mysterious man. “Who are you?” His eyes met hers. “Damian Black.” Aria's breath caught. Everyone in the city knew that name. Billionaire. CEO. Powerful. Dangerous. Damian opened the car door. “Get in, Aria.” She stared at him. “How do you know my name?” A faint, unreadable smile appeared on his lips. “Because I've been looking for you.” Aria's heart stopped. Before she could ask another question, the approaching cars turned onto the street. She had no choice. She climbed into Damian's car. The door slammed shut. And the car disappeared into the rain. Aria didn't know it yet, but running away from her wedding had just changed her entire life. To be continued....