Novel-novel oleh ..Delicious..

Everyone paused.They stood still, agitating, waiting for the next show. Their eyes were sharp. Their faces were curious. Some looked excited. Some looked cruel.They were waiting for the next drama to unfold.Ken stood before Riley, tall and proud. His presence alone made the air feel heavy. The disgust in his eyes was sharp and cold. It cut straight through her heart.“What gave you the right to call yourself a Hale?” he repeated.His voice was calm. Too calm.Riley’s lips parted, but no words came out. Her throat felt dry. Her mind went blank.“I… I…” she stammered. “My father… I—”Her voice broke.Ken began to walk toward her slowly.Each step was measured. Careful. Like a predator closing in on its prey.His eyes burned into hers.Riley staggered backward. Her legs shook badly. Her heart raced so fast that it felt like it would jump out of her chest. Her breath came out in short gasps.She looked around desperately.The faces around her were mocking her. They looked entertained.

The whispers were growing louder.They moved quietly at first. Soft whispers. Low murmurs. Side glances. But with every passing minute, they grew louder. More confident. More cruel.The guests shifted in their seats. Some leaned toward each other. Others covered their mouths as they spoke, pretending to be polite while feeding on the shame unfolding before them.Hours had passed.And still, the bride was still standing alone at the altar.No groom.No explanation.Just silence.Riley stood there in her white gown, her hands clasped tightly in front of her. Her fingers trembled so badly that she could barely feel them anymore. Her legs felt weak, as though they might give way at any moment. Every second felt heavier than the last.She could feel the stares.They burned into her skin.At that moment she just wished the ground would open and swallow her whole.Her chest tightened painfully as her breath came in as short, shaky gasps. Her eyes were heavy with unshed tears. She blinked ra

The hall was large and bright. It was decorated with white flowers, gold ribbons, and expensive designs that screamed luxury. Everything looked perfect. Too perfect. The kind of perfection that hides pain underneath.Rows of chairs filled the hall. Every seat was occupied. Faces Riley had never seen before stared back at her. Important people. Rich people. Powerful people. People who did not know her story. People who did not care about her fear.As soon as the large glass doors slid open, the hall erupted with flashes of light.Reporters lifted their cameras high. Some stood on chairs. Others pushed forward just to get a better shot. The lights were blinding. The noise was overwhelming. It felt like the whole world had stopped just to watch her walk inside.Riley stood at the entrance.Her fingers trembled around the bouquet in her hands. The flowers were fresh and beautiful, yet her palms were damp with sweat. Her heart beat loudly in her chest. It felt like everyone could hear it.

Riley did not remember when her legs gave up.One moment she was standing, preparing for her big day, and the next she was falling onto the bed like a body with no soul left inside it. The soft mattress swallowed her, but it did not comfort her. Nothing could. She lay there, flat on her back, staring at the ceiling as if it held answers she desperately needed.Minutes passed.Then hours.She did not blink. She did not move.The chandelier above her glowed softly, its crystals shining and reflecting light across the room. It was beautiful. Painfully beautiful. The kind of beauty meant for joy, for laughter, for celebration.Not for this.Her phone rang again.The sound was sharp. Loud. Annoying.She did not reach for it.It rang again.And again.She didn’t even bother to check the caller. She didn’t care.The sound felt far away, like it was happening in another world. Riley did not move. Not after what she has just discovered.Her mind was full, yet empty at the same time.Her heart