Chapter 26
Elena’s POV
I had taken my place in front of Nikolai at the altar.
The hall went silent as the priest raised his voice, the echo bouncing slightly off the marble arches above us. “If there is anyone present who has just cause why these two should not be joined in holy matrimony, speak now or forever hold your peace.”
The silence that followed was short–lived,
A chair scraped back. Harsh. Unforgiving. And my blood ran cold.
“This wedding is a goddamn joke!”
The voice tore through the calm like a blade, sharp and venom–Laced. I didn’t even have to turn to know who it was. My body already recognized the voice, the disruption–the disaster.
Dmur.
He stormed down towards the altar like a man possessed, ignoring the gasps, the stunned whispers, and the priest who stood frozen mid–blessing.
You can’t be serious, Nikolai! You’re going to marry her? The woman I was supposed to marry?” he snarled, flinging an accusatory finger in my direction
The tension mapped across the room like an electric current. I flinched as every eye turned on. ne. My chest burned, throat dry. I couldn’t breathe.
Nikolai stepped forward, his voice sharp but calm. “Dmitri, leave,”
But Dmitri didn’t. Of course he didn’t and my Bits clenched
“You stole her, she was mine- He paused then, his eyes narrowing, “Or, did you actually go to him? Because he’s rich isn’t he? Did you sell yourself to him like a whore–”
Nikolai’s jaw clenched. “Watch your mouth!”
I was tongue tied for the first time in my life.
“Why should I We all know what this is! Everyone here is pretending this isn’t an embarrassment, a sham. That she’s not just selling herself to the highest bidder”
I couldn’t move. My hands trembled as I held the bouquet tighter, trying to steady my breathing. My mother looked frozen, pale. The insult dug in deep, and even though this wasn’t the first time I had been insulted, it cut worse coming from the person who had once pretended to protect me. It felt horrible and worse, hearing it now, in front of everyone in front of my mother….
But then—
“That’s enough!” my mother’s voice rang out, sharp and commanding, slicing through the chaos like a krufe.
The entire hall sulled.
She pushed herself forward in her wheelchair, her expression furious and full of unrelenting fire. Her gaze locked on Dmitri with pure disgust. “Don’t you dare stand here and pretend you were ever worthy of my daughter. You were the one who cheated. You betrayed her. Lied to her. Humiliated her
‘M–Mrs. Kovalyova Dmitri stammered, clearly caught off guard.
“You don‘ get to speak. You don’t get to pretend like you were some sort of victim. You were the one who destroyed what you had with her. Her voice cracked, but she didn’t waver. “And now you come here, on her wedding day, spewing filth? Trying to shame her in front of the world! If anyone here should feel humiliated—it’s you.”
A collective murmur spread through the crowd. I could barely breathe. I stared at her, the woman who had just yesterday doubted me, now defending me like a lioness.
Nikolai didn’t waver. He took a step forward. “That’s enough. Guard!”
Two suited men stepped out from the line up next to the altar, heading toward Dmitri. He stumbled back, eyes wide, but too angry to look scared.
“This isn’t over,” he spat, twisting out of their grip. “You’re going to regret this. Both of you
His parents stood up, faces pale with a mix of shame and fury. They followed after him without a word.
1/3
8:40 PM
Chapter 26
And then silence again.
Nikolai didn’t look at me. He turned back to the priest and said, calmly, coldly, “Continue. Like what happened never happened and I swallowed the lump in my throat, unable to speak.
The priest stuttered but complied. “Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today to witness the union of Elena Kovalyova and Nikolai Vetrov…”
I heard none of it. My heart was still hammering from the scene, my thoughts racing. But then the priest turned to me.
“Do you. Elena Kovalyova, take this man to be your lawfully wedded husband…
I swallowed
I glanced at my mother,
Her eyes were unreadable. She didn’t nod, She didn’t shake her head. She just… watched Tired Distant. Maybe even disappointed. I didn’t know.
1 knew she might never forgive me. Not when the truth came out, Not when she realized why I really agreed to this marriage. I could only pray that I took this secret to my grave,
But I would still do this again. Again and again, if it meant she would live. If it meant I wouldn’t lose the only family I had left.
de
do.” I whispered.
“Louder, please,” the priest prompted.
I lifted my chin and repeated, steady this time, “I do.”
The priest turned to Nikolai. “Do you, Nikolai Vetrov, take this woman to be your lawfully wedded wife…
Hi
7 do
answer was immediate
You may now kiss the bride.”
Nikolai stepped forward and gently lifted the veil. His eyes locked onto mine, burning with something berce. Then he leaned in and kissed me.
Soft Firm. Final
The rest of the ceremony passed like a dream. I smiled when I had to. Accepted congratulations. Posed for pictures. But all of it felt muted.
I couldn’t stop glancing at the door.
At the empty seat where Dmitri had sat
Where the explosion had darted.
Where it ended.
The limousine was cold when I slipped into it, my dress folding around me in layers of white. The glass windows blurred the outside world as we pulled away.
My mother had already gone. Fiona had promised to stay the night with her. I should have felt better. I didn’t.
I sighed
hat’s wrong. Malishkať“ Nikolai asked, settling beside me with casual elegance.
Tirt out a scoff “Everything! Don’t you already know that? Why do you need to ask!”
– He didn’t respond immediately, and I felt gult coil inside ine. But I wasn’t done.
“Nikolai how exactly are we going to break the news to my mom when we divorce one year later!”
He turned to me, the comer of his mouth lifting in a soft smile. “You don’t need to worry about that, I’ll take responsibility. I don’t mind being the villain in her eyes”
His gaze held mine. There was something too tender in it, and it made my chest ache. The atmosphere seemed to change as our eyes locked in a stare. Far too long for my own comfort. I swallowed looking away.
2/3
8:40 PM
Chapter 26
Damn it. Elena Stop.
“You’re like a celebrity, though. If rumors start-
He cut me off by swooping in. His mouth crashed into mine, and I lost the thread of thought instantly. His hand cupped my jaw, guiding me closer as my body instinctively leaned into the kiss,
My eyes widened. The driver—”
He reached up and hit a button. The divider slid into place with a soft hum, sealing us into privacy.
And then his hands were on me.
The white silk of my dress rustled as he pulled me into his lap, his mouth never leaving mine.
The tension from earlier–the shame, the guilt, the fear–it all bled out of me as his touch replaced it with heat.
His tongue explored my mouth with fervent heat making me unable to even breathe, as my toes curled and once again I couldn’t help but think. Damn he’s a good kisser
My heart jumped as I also let the idea sink in that today was going to be my wedding night, and unlike how we did in the office this would be different. Our relationship had changed. This man was now my husband, Even if just for a year. He was my husband-
“Stop thinking. Tonight you’ll focus only on me, and the pleasure I give you,” A shiver ran up my spine as he whispered those words into my cars.
Oh god.
色
