The Arrogant Billionaire's Redemption

il

prayed for, counted down to with anticipation and

t the groom's side remained empty. I had been there for hours-first with confidence, then with stubbornne

she hurried outside. And each time, she returned without him. My heart sank deeper into itself with each failure, but still,

ight, and my face bore the practiced expression of a bride ready to begin her happily-ever-after. I refused to let anything ruin

hat could still be explained away as harmless curiosity. But as minutes bled into hours,

their seats was the name they had come

hered, as if none of this chaos mattered. Their calmness should have reassured me, but instead, b

I would see them-the last time I would feel that creeping unworthiness that al

left her place in the front row, phone clutched like a lifeline, her forehead

ment burning my cheeks under the scrutiny of guests, not

in years. She who believed in this union so fiercely it was as though she wanted it

moment we met. I remembered it vividly: the way his eyes slid past me as if I weren't worth a second look. An

he church final

here h

on V

doned me to whispers, humiliation, and silence. Yet the effect was immediate. Guests who had shifted uncomfort

room, and I, too,

traced the sharp cut of his jaw, the cold fire in his gaze, and I found myself wondering. Wondering how he might look if thos

offered me no such gift. Onl

oke of, the cheerful soul hidden beneath the ice. I told myself time would

ound myself to him in words I meant with every fiber of my b

ness. He spoke the vows like a verdict, each w

excitemen

g out: "I now pronounce

should have been the sealing of our union-but the kiss was fleeting, perfunctory, and

of his lips filled me with anti

uded, and for a moment, I felt it. The warmth of belonging at his side, the way

hattered as soon as

sleek car, and drove away-leaving me standing there, a bride abandoned. My h

r voice calm, commanding, as she instructed her driver to take me to my

mile I refused to let die. My heart raced with the hope that once I reached him, he would finally let

l breathless, still carrying that fragile hope. I reac

be shov

told me never to step foot in his room again. His v

alled for

myself to forever-walked away. Leaving me in their hands.