Elias stood at the wedding aisle, his hands gently locked with his father's and Catrina's on either side of him. The world around him felt both dreamlike and distant. The soft hum of violins swelled in the background, echoing through the grand hall like a lullaby meant to soothe panic—not love.
In just one month... everything changed.
Alex left me.
Father told me I was getting married.
Damien ditched me on our first date.
And now... here I am. Standing at a wedding aisle. Beside my father. Beside my sister. In front of a man I barely know.
Elias let out a quiet breath, blinking against the blur of lights and movement. Something still didn't feel right. His eyes flickered toward the audience again—stopping on a woman near the back. There was something hauntingly familiar about her. He furrowed his brows, heart stuttering for a moment.
Where have I seen her before...?
Before his thoughts could spiral, the wedding officiant cleared their throat, gently guiding them forward. His father gave Elias's hand one last supportive squeeze before stepping aside with Catrina, leaving Elias alone—now face to face with his soon-to-be husband.
Damien Blackthorne stood tall and poised beside him, his expression unreadable. His dark eyes were locked onto Elias, intense—burning—but Elias couldn't tell what they were saying. Was it guilt? Passion? Or just cold politeness?
It didn't matter.
Elias didn't smile.
Not today.
He remembered clearly—after being stood up, Damien hadn't even tried to call. Not that night. Not the next day. Not even a simple apology beyond that stupid formal message his assistant probably wrote. So Elias gave him the same energy back. Since then, every message Damien sent had been met with a dry "yes," a thumbs-up emoji, or complete silence.
Damien parted his lips, as if to say something—maybe explain, maybe apologize—but Elias turned his face slightly, eyes forward, jaw tight.
Not now. Not here.
The officiant continued the ceremony, but it all passed Elias by like fog. Words about commitment, love, and eternal partnership echoed around him like a cruel joke. And before he even realized it, it was done. Vows exchanged. Rings slipped on. A kiss that barely touched the corner of his mouth.
It was official.
Elias Blackthorne.
God, it didn't even sound real.
The ceremony ended, and soft applause filled the air. Elias tried not to flinch. He clutched his bouquet with a bit more force than necessary.
Catrina appeared beside him seconds later with a big, fake smile and whispered, "Now smile for the photos, lovebird. Let's give them something to talk about."
Elias rolled his eyes. "If I disappear halfway through the shoot, you know where I went."
"Running away in heels?" she smirked. "Bold of you."
Just then, the photographer clapped his hands. "Couple shots first, please! Mr. and Mr. Blackthorne—right over here!"
Elias turned toward Damien with a practiced smile that didn't quite reach his eyes. He leaned in just close enough for the camera, whispering low enough only Damien could hear:
"Try not to blink. Wouldn't want to ruin the perfect picture."
And as the first flash went off, that same mysterious woman from the back of the crowd stepped outside to answer her ringing phone... her voice low, sharp, and urgent.
"Yeah... I saw him. He's here. Just like you said."
As the elegant woman exited through the back of the hall, the photographer clapped his hands and called out, "Alright! Let's get a photo with the family!"
Elias tugged Catrina closer and leaned down to whisper, "Who was that woman who just left?"
Catrina tilted her head, confused. "Which woman?"
"The one who slipped out through the side aisle just now. She was sitting near the middle row."
Catrina's expression shifted. Her lips parted slightly as realization dawned. She leaned in and whispered back, "That was… our mother."
Elias froze, his breath catching. "What?"
Before he could say more—before the lump in his throat fully formed—his eyes landed on someone else near the entrance. His stomach dropped.
No. No. No way.
He forced a quick smile and turned to the camera just in time for the flash. Leaning toward Catrina, he hissed, "What the fuck is he doing here?"
Catrina followed his gaze, then muttered under her breath, "Shit. That's Alex. What is he doing here uninvited?"
"I don't know," Elias whispered, panic laced in his tone. "But do something. Please."
Without hesitation, Catrina excused herself from the photos and marched toward Alex, her heels echoing with determination. Elias tried to read their lips, but the distance made it impossible.
As the camera snapped away, capturing blurred moments of smiles that barely felt real, Elias suddenly felt a soft, delicate hand on his arm.
"Elias, sweetheart," a warm, mature voice said beside him. "May I have a photo with my new son?"
He turned, startled for a moment. It was Mrs. Lina Blackthorne—Damien's stepmother, the elegant woman with soft curls pinned back and a timeless poise that made her seem both comforting and intimidating.
"Oh—of course, Mrs. Lina," Elias replied, quickly composing his smile again.
She chuckled softly, brushing a nonexistent speck of dust from his shoulder.
"Please, it's just Lina now. No need for formalities. You're family now," she said, her voice gentle but firm.
They turned toward the camera, arms linked as another photo was taken.
As the flash faded, she leaned in slightly, her voice dropping just enough to be heard over the soft chatter of the crowd.
"You know… I was worried when I heard about this marriage. I thought Damien would scare you off before it even began."
Elias blinked, surprised by her candor. "You and me both," he muttered under his breath.
She laughed—a quiet, graceful laugh. "But I see now… you're stronger than you look. You remind me of myself when I was your age."
"Terrified and pretending not to be?"
Lina's eyes sparkled. "Exactly. But look at you. You're standing tall. Graceful. Defiant. I like that about you. You've got fire."
Elias's expression softened, genuinely this time.
"Thank you," he said. "That… means more than you know."
Lina smiled and tucked a stray strand of hair behind his ear. "Just remember—this family is strange, but not heartless. If you ever need anything… even just someone to vent to, my door's always open."
He nodded, moved by her kindness. "Thank you, Lina. That's... comforting, really."
They posed for one more photo, this one more natural than all the others before it. And just as they stepped away, Elias's gaze darted back to the entrance.
Catrina was no longer in sight.
But Alex was still there.
Still watching him.
And this time… he was walking straight toward the stage.