The soft hum of the orchestra played beneath the high arched ceilings of the Beaumont Estate's grand hall. Gold-trimmed chairs lined with fresh white lilies. Chandeliers shimmered above like constellations of fate. Guests turned their heads as the bride appeared.
Selene stood at the edge of the aisle, her white gown flowing like quiet surrender. Her veil draped delicately over her face, but her eyes held the storm of someone already buried alive. Her father, too weak to walk her down, watched from his wheelchair, his face pale, eyes sunken with illness—but kind. Always kind.
Selene walked alone.
Step by step.
Each note of the wedding march thudded in her ears like gunshots. Every guest's gaze burned her skin. And at the end of that aisle, like the devil in silk, stood Liam.
He smiled.
That smug, knowing smirk. The one that said, I own you now.
Selene's heart pounded louder with every step. Deep inside, one prayer kept whispering itself:
Evan, please. Come.
She reached the altar. The officiant began.
"We are gathered here today to witness the union of—"
Outside the Ceremony Hall
"Sir, vendors are not allowed inside once the ceremony starts," the guard said, crossing his arms.
Evan gritted his teeth. "I'm the damn photographer. I was told to shoot the ceremony too."
The guard shook his head. "Only pre-approved personnel. Step back."
Lena stepped in, sunglasses still on indoors, holding her brush like a dagger. "Listen, Pierre or whatever your name is. That bride in there & She herself requested that I took her pictures."
The guard blinked, thrown off.
Evan took the moment of confusion. "Screw it." He shoved the door and stormed inside, camera swinging around his neck.
"Hey—HEY!" the guard shouted, chasing after him.
Lena smirked. "Oh no! He's loose!" She sauntered in behind, unbothered, flipping the guard off behind her back.
Inside the Ceremony Hall
The officiant cleared his throat.
"If there is anyone here who objects to this union, speak now or forever hold your peace—"
The double doors burst open.
"I'!" Evan shouted. "This wedding can't happen!"
"Speak now or forever hold your peace," the priest said solemnly.
The grand Beaumont hall fell silent.
And then—
"I DO."
Everyone turned.
The doors slammed open.
Evan stormed in, camera swinging from his neck, shirt wrinkled, hair slightly wild, eyes locked on Selene.
"This wedding can't happen," he said, breathless. "Because she doesn't love him. And because he's a fucking fraud."
Gasps. Murmurs. Isabelle stood up in rage.
"Who is this man?! Get him out!" she snapped.
Selene's breath caught in her throat. She stepped back, her eyes wide, her heart thundering.
Evan stood there, panting, furious, defiant.
Liam stood surprised, & grabbed Selene's wrist.
Before anyone could react—
"Oh honey, don't act surprised," Lena said as she strode in behind Evan in full glam.
She turned to the guests, holding up her phone.
"I'm Lena Dubois. I work in Paris. And guess what? I'm Jules's girlfriend—at least I thought I was. Until I found out Jules"—she pointed at Liam—"is also Liam, the guy trying to marry this woman after lying, cheating, and gaslighting both of us."
Liam froze.
Isabelle hissed, "This is absurd—"
"Oh shut up, Cruella," Lena snapped. "Your evil villain era is over."
The crowd gasped and turned toward Liam. Someone whispered, "He has another girlfriend?" "Did she say Liam is Jules?"
Selene's father, weak in his seat, looked up in confusion. "What's going on?"
"She's lying. I don't know that woman." Liam said in panic
Lena pulled out her phone. "huh,,, You see this man?" she said, pointing at Liam. "Here pictures of you and me,, want to see more… he's been conning people."
Evan added, voice sharp and clear, "He manipulated Selene. Trapped her. Blackmailed her using her father. And he's been working with this woman"—he pointed at Isabelle—"to steal everything her father owns."
The room erupted in murmurs.
Selene stepped forward, her voice shaking at first. "Dad…They are telling the truth I didn't want to hurt you. I stayed because I thought—maybe if I gave them what they wanted, you'd be safe." She turned to Isabelle. "But you used him. You lied to him. You poisoned him just to keep me here."
Isabelle's face turned cold. "You ungrateful brat—"
Selene's voice rose. "No! You don't get to talk anymore. I'm done being quiet. You think you own me? You think you can trade me like property for money? I'm not your fucking pawn."
Isabelle slapped her—hard.
Gasps again.
Selene stumbled slightly—but didn't cry this time.
Isabelle turned red. "Lies! She agreed to this marriage—!"
"I agreed to save my father's life!" Selene shouted, her voice cutting through the noise. "
"Liar!" Isabelle screeched.
Selene stepped forward. "I'm not afraid of you anymore."
Liam moved toward her. "Watch your mouth, you little—"
Selene slapped him. Hard. "Don't you dare touch me again."
The guests gasped again.
Evan lunged forward, grabbing Liam by the collar. "Touch her again," he growled, "and I'll make sure you never touch anyone again."
Liam snarled. "You've ruined everything."
And then, he reached for Selene again—rage in his eyes.
But Evan didn't hesitate.
He punched him straight in the face.
Liam fell back, nose bleeding.
Selene turned to her father, who was watching everything with wide, teary eyes. His lips trembled, confusion and sorrow written deep into the lines of his face.
"Dad," she said, stepping forward, her voice shaky but clear. "It's all true. I was scared. I didn't know what else to do."
He looked at her, lost in pain and regret.
Tears brimmed in her eyes.
"You always told me that she's doing everything for my good, but she's not. She never loved me or you. Dad, you have to trust me."
Isabelle lunged toward him. "Don't listen to her! She's being manipulated. You need rest, darling—"
Her voice cracked, tears slipping down her cheeks.
"I just wanted to protect you. Even if it meant losing myself."
Her father blinked hard, a tear falling down his face. He tried to sit up, his hand reaching toward her like a man waking from a nightmare.
Selene's father stood, supported by a cane. His voice cracked. "Security."
"Get them out of my house."
Security moved in immediately.
Liam tried to resist. "You'll regret this! I'll—!"
"Take him," her father snapped. "And take her too."
Isabelle shrieked, fighting against the guards as they dragged her away. "You ungrateful little brat! You ruined everything!"
Liam thrashed, snarling at Selene, but the crowd parted like the sea. This time, no one stood in their way.
Lena stepped forward and stood in front of Liam and looked at Isabelle. "Jesus. And I thought my ex was bad."
Selene stood frozen, breath shaking, heart pounding.
Then she turned to her father again.
"I'm sorry I didn't speak sooner. I thought I'd lose everything."
Her father limped forward slowly, held her hand in his shaking one.
"You should have told me sooner."
She broke into a sob and hugged him tightly.
Evan stepped forward, eyes soft. Selene looked at him.
"You always come right when I need you."
He smiled. "That's the only thing I plan on never changing."
She laughed through her tears, and this time it was real.
The hall was clearing. The nightmare was over.
Lena stood beside Evan, arms crossed, an impatient smirk on her face. Selene, still in her wedding dress but now free, eyes locked on him.
Evan looked frozen.
Lena elbowed him. "Don't just fucking stand there—say something to her!"
Evan blinked, then cleared his throat and stepped forward.
"Selene…"
She raised an eyebrow, the smallest smile tugging at the corner of her lips.
He scratched the back of his neck. "I… I've never done the whole dramatic confession thing before. I usually just disappear before anyone even asks for last names."
Lena groaned behind him. "Oh my God."
He ignored her.
"But with you… the moment I saw you, all wild eyes and sarcasm and moon necklaces, I think I forgot how to leave." He took a slow step forward.
"You drive me insane. You vanish on me, scream at me, and somehow make every place feel like it's not enough unless you're in it."
Selene looked down, blushing.
Evan smiled. "You say you're always running, but Selene… I want to be the place you finally stop."
A soft silence fell between them.
"And I know I mess up," he added. "Like a lot. Probably again in about five minutes. But if you're okay with a guy who overpacks snacks, sleeps in train stations, and falls ridiculously hard for broken girls who wear poetry like armor… then I'm yours."
Selene's eyes welled.
"I'm not sure what else to call this level of stupid devotion, all I can say is…" he said,
"I Love you, Selene"
She let out a teary laugh. "Evan…"
He grinned. "And you're the only one who makes sense to me."
She walked to him, her arms sliding around his waist.
"I love you too, Evan"
Behind them, Lena wiped a fake tear. "I swear to God, if you two don't kiss right now, I'm shoving you into each other."
They laughed—and kissed.
And it wasn't rushed or dramatic or desperate.
It was quiet.
Like peace. Like healing.
Like a beginning.