Revenge at the Altar

Chapter 1

The Altar of Deceit

The heavy scent of white lilies and old money hung thick inside St. Jude’s Cathedral. Outside, the relentless New York rain blurred the Manhattan skyline into a slate-grey smudge, but inside, everything was pristine, sterile, and perfectly arranged.

Three hundred of the city’s elite sat in diamond-studded silence, watching the wedding of the season.

Julian Vanderholt stood at the altar, adjusting the cuffs of his custom tuxedo. He didn't look like a nervous groom; he looked like a king preparing to sign a treaty. Beside him stood Emilia Cauldwell, her face obscured by a cascading lace veil.

Her family’s wealth was respectable, but noticeably lesser tier compared to the sprawling Vanderholt multi billion empire. For Julian, this wasn’t about love—it was a strategic corporate alliance pushed heavily by his father, Arthur.

Julian’s expression remained a mask of cold indifference. He was simply fulfilling an obligation.

The elderly priest cleared his throat, his frail voice echoing off the vaulted stone ceilings. "If any person here present knows of any cause or just impediment why these two persons may not be joined together in holy matrimony, let them speak now, or else forever hold their peace."

A polite, heavy silence settled over the congregation.

*SLAM.*

The massive, gothic oak doors at the back of the cathedral crashed against the stone walls, shattering the quiet like a gunshot.

Renée stood in the archway, defiant, breathless storm of a woman. Her dark curls were wild from the downpour, and her black dress looked radiant, heaven knows what she did to get that dress. she thought to herself, "if I can't be happy neither can Artem".

For three grueling years, she had worked double shifts in Cleveland, sacrificing everything to pay for her boyfriend's school fees—completely blind to the reality that he was only using her as his ticket to money and fame.

When she had been told that her fiancé, Artem, had vanished overnight with the last of those life savings to marry into high society, her world had fractured. Armed with a leaked guest list, she had tracked him here. She was broke, she was furious, and she had nothing left to lose.

"I object!" Renée’s voice rang out, raw and trembling with a righteous fury that cut through the pristine air.

She marched down the aisle, her heels clicking down the aisle, getting closer to the couple with every stride she took. . Her eyes were locked onto the tall, dark-haired silhouette of the groom.

"Artem! Did you really think you could steal my mother's life savings, walk out on me in the middle of the night, and buy your way into this world?!"

The cathedral erupted into immediate, shocked whispers. Pearls were clutched, and heads turned. From the front pew, Arthur Vanderholt lunged to his feet, his face turning an angry shade of purple as he waved frantically at the security team.

"Get this lunatic out of here!" Arthur said

"I'm not a lunatic that's my boyfriend over there getting married to some woman."

But as Renée drew closer to the altar, the dim lighting of the pews gave way to the bright glare of the altar candles. She froze mid-step, the breath catching violently in her throat.

The man standing in the pristine tuxedo didn't have Artem’s soft, boyish features.

This man had a sharp, aristocratic jawline and piercing grey eyes that held absolutely no fear—only a strange, calculating curiosity. He looked dangerous. Powerful.

He wasn't Artem.

A sickening wave of realization washed over her. She had stormed the wrong wedding. She had accused the wrong billionaire.

Before the security guards could grab her arms, Julian took a slow, deliberate step down from the altar. He completely ignored his trembling bride and his furious father. His gaze was locked entirely on Renée's panicked face, a dangerous, razor-sharp smirk playing on his lips.

"Do not touch her," Julian commanded. His voice wasn't loud, but it held a chilling authority that made the guards freeze instantly.

"Babe, you came, I thought you were still mad at me", Julian says as her winks at her for cooperation.

"But she called out Artem ", guests say in loud murmurs

"Oh don't worry, it's this game that we pay all the time, right babe" he says looking at Renée for support.

Julian steps away from the altar and goes down to meet Renée.

He turned his grey eyes back to Renée, offering her his arm right in front of the entire congregation. "Follow my lead, and we could be of much help to each other so what do you think? Renée slowly nods and follows him outside.

They leave the entire church in awe