Chapter4
993 Words
Chapter 4—- Beginning of Doom
Damien snapped out of his thoughts and immediately agreed to Natalie's proposal. Without hesitation at that.
“You’ve gotten yourself a date then.” Damien replied calmly.
Natalie was rather shocked. She had a whole speech planned out for him because she knew Damien was not easy to persuade. Rather, she took it has her luck.
“In that case then, I think it's settled!” Natalie replied.
Damien stretched out his hand and Natalie held on to it, given him a handshake which signified the deal was made.
Their deal was sealed, but Natalie knew this was only the beginning.
As she stepped out into the cool night air, she felt it—that shift in her fate, the quiet crackle of something inevitable.
This wasn’t just about attending a wedding.
This was war.
She pulled her coat tighter around her, a slow smirk curling her lips.
“Let’s crash a wedding.” she whispered.
The Halls
The grand ballroom shimmered under the glow of crystal chandeliers, their light reflecting off the endless ocean through floor-to-ceiling windows.
She felt the weight of every gaze as she stepped onto the marble floor, her arm looped casually through Damien Hale’s.
Especially Liam.
Natalie felt his gaze before she even saw him. Across the room, standing beside the woman who used to be her best friend, Liam’s expression shifted — the confident smile faltering, his knuckles tightening around his champagne flute.
He swallowed hard, jaw clenching as though the sight of her and Damien together was a punch to the ribs.
Good. Let it hurt.
But it was Izzy who caught Natalie’s attention next. Draped in a lace wedding gown that clung to her like a second skin, Izzy's smile didn’t waver.
She leaned in to whisper something in Liam’s ear, her hand brushing his chest as if to remind him, “I’m the one you chose.” But Natalie caught the flicker in her eyes — the flash of something bitter.
Jealousy.
Perfect.
“Are you alright?” Damien murmured, his voice low enough for only her to hear.
Natalie exhaled slowly, straightening her spine. “Never better.”
They descended the steps together, the room parting like waves before them. Heads turned. Whispers followed. Everyone knew the story — how Liam had proposed to Izzy before ending things with Natalie.
And now Natalie was the show.
They reached the center of the room just as the music softened. Liam and Izzy approached, arm in arm. It was the first time Natalie had seen him up close since that night — the night he’d looked her in the eyes and lied.
“You came,” Liam said, his voice rough.
Natalie tilted her head. “Of course. I wouldn’t miss this for the world.”
Beside her, Damien’s smile was razor-sharp. “We were just talking about how… special this is. A luxury cruise wedding? Very bold. Risky, even.”
Liam’s jaw ticked. “We like to take risks.”
“Apparently,” Natalie murmured. Her gaze flicked to Izzy, who was watching her with cool, detached calm. “You look beautiful.”
“Thank you.” Izzy’s lips curved upward. “I’m glad you could move on… so quickly.”
Damien chuckled softly under his breath. “Likewise.”
The tension between them crackled like electricity, hot and sharp. Natalie could feel it in the way Liam kept glancing at her hand, as though searching for a ring that wasn’t there. .
“I hope you enjoy the night,” Liam said tightly. “It’s good to see you… happy.”
She smiled sweetly. “I am. Happier than I’ve been in years.”
They walked away, but Natalie could feel Liam’s gaze lingering on her back — burning, questioning. She leaned closer to Damien as they reached the bar, her hand resting lightly on his chest.
“Izzy’s trying too hard,” she muttered.
“I noticed.” Damien took a slow sip of whiskey. “And Liam?”
“He looks like he wants to punch you.”
Damien smirked. “Let him try.”
They danced after that, and Natalie made sure everyone saw. She let herself laugh, let herself press closer to Damien than necessary, knowing Liam was watching — knowing it was driving him insane. But the longer the night dragged on, the more she realized something was off.
Liam wasn’t just angry. He was nervous.
And Izzy… Izzy was calm. Too calm.
As the night deepened, Natalie slipped away from the crowd, needing a breath of fresh air. She made her way to the upper deck, the cool ocean breeze cutting through the warmth of the night.
Footsteps.
She didn’t turn. “You shouldn’t be here.”
“I had to see you.”
Liam’s voice.
Natalie closed her eyes briefly before turning to face him. “You’ve seen me. Go back to your wife.”
He took a step closer. His gaze searched hers — desperate, conflicted. “It wasn’t supposed to be like this.”
She laughed softly. “No? What was it supposed to be like?”
“She forced my hand.”
Natalie froze. “What are you talking about?”
Liam rubbed a hand over his face. “Izzy… She wasn’t supposed to tell you. She found out — about the deal. About why I had to leave.”
Her blood turned cold. “What deal?”
He hesitated.
And then Natalie heard it — the faint sound of footsteps behind her. She turned just in time to see Izzy emerge from the shadows, her face calm, her smile cold.
“I warned you not to come, Nat.”
Before Natalie could respond, the ship’s lights flickered once… twice… then plunged into darkness.
The last thing she heard was the crash of glass shattering somewhere below deck — and Liam’s voice, panicked, shouting her name.
- Writer
