Chapter 13

~ LENA ~

As the sun sank lower and evening arrived, the gardens transformed into something much more beautiful for the wedding reception.

The rows of white chairs from the ceremony slowly disappeared, carried away by quiet staff in black uniforms. What stood in their place now were round tables draped in ivory linen beneath a sweeping canopy of soft white fabric that billowed gently in the evening breeze. Overhead, fairy lights woven through the draping glowed, turning the ceiling into what seemed like a constellation of warm stars.

I was the bride. And yet, I felt like a guest at my own wedding, standing there and taking it all in as though I had stumbled into someone else’s fairytale.

Crystal chandeliers hung low from the center beams of the canopy, their light catching against carefully set polished glassware and gold-rimmed plates laid next to elegant centerpieces.

Beyond the canopy, the lawn stretched, wide and open, the trees wrapped in delicate strings of light. They glowed like fireflies caught in the branches.

Music floated through the air as guests moved around freely—talking, laughing, sipping from tall wine glasses.

Many of them came forward, congratulating Nathan and I. Powerful men with firm handshakes. Elegant women with polished smiles. All of them were familiar faces to Nathan. But they were strangers to me.

A woman in a sparkly champagne gold evening gown stepped forward next, her expression cheerful. She greeted Nathan with a familiarity that indicated they’d known each other for a long time, and then she turned to me.

“Hi. We haven’t been formally introduced yet,” she said with a soft smile, extending her hand toward me. “Vivienne Ashcroft. I live a few houses down from Nathan.”

Her voice was light, cheerful. Up close, I noticed how stunning she truly was. Light golden blonde hair fell in soft, perfect waves over one shoulder. Her dress was lovely. It hugged her figure just right, complemented by diamond drop earrings that brushed her neck each time she turned her head.

She looked wealthy, just like the rest of them. But she wasn’t intimidating. Her smile was genuine, warm. I felt a bit at ease as we shook hands.

“Nice to meet you, Vivienne,” I smiled.

“The pleasure is all mine, darling.” Her smile grew wider. “You’re so beautiful—the most beautiful bride I’ve ever seen.”

The way she said it, with all sincerity, made me blush. “Thank you.”

“Now I see why Nathan took his time.” She eyed him playfully. “He only settles for the best.”

Nathan chuckled. “You know me that well, huh?”

“Of course. We haven’t been family friends all these years for nothing.” She looked at me. “Congratulations, Kimberly. Nathan is a good man—one of the few out there.” She glanced between Nathan and me, her smile mushy now. “I’m so happy for you both.”

“Thank you, Vivienne,” Nathan said, hugging her as she held out her arms.

She hugged me next, and after another brief exchange, she excused herself, melting back into the flow of guests as naturally as she had appeared.

I watched her disappear into the crowd for a second longer than necessary.

“She seems nice,” I said to Nathan quietly, trying to fill the small silence after her departure.

“She is,” Nathan agreed, sipping gently from his glass of champagne.

I was holding one too, which Nathan had handed me, but I refused to take a sip. I wasn’t used to drinking, and I wasn’t sure what effect it would have on me.

“How long have you known each other?”

“Years,” he said easily. “She and her husband used to host half the neighborhood for their elaborate parties.”

“Used to?” I frowned.

His expression shifted just slightly. It wasn’t sad exactly, but reflective.

“Her husband, Richard, passed away about two years ago.”

“Oh. She’s a widow?” I didn’t expect to hear that. “She doesn’t look it.”

“And how exactly do widows look?” Nathan asked, his lips curving in a teasing smirk.

I chuckled, realizing I sounded a little ridiculous. I opened my mouth to say something, but before I could, another guest was already in front of us.

He looked to be in his late fifties—tall, and strikingly handsome in the way powerful men sometimes were, even with age. There was something about him that immediately caught my attention—an effortless authority and a quiet aristocratic confidence. The kind that came from a lifetime of wealth and influence.

His dark suit looked impeccable, the fabric expensive enough that even someone like me could tell. It fit him perfectly and gave him that elegant, commanding appearance.

Then I noticed something else. A resemblance between him and Nathan. It wasn’t obvious, but it was there in his eyes, in the shape of his mouth and jaw.

“Uncle Victor,” Nathan said as his hand settled at my waist in a subtly protective manner.

His voice was calm, but I immediately felt the small change in him as his posture straightened and his shoulders tightened instinctively. The warmth was gone. All I could detect in his voice now was subtle respect.

Victor Blackwood smiled slowly, a smile that didn’t reach his eyes.

“Nathan.” His voice was smooth, controlled…almost amused. “Congratulations, my boy. You’ve done very well.”

They shook hands for a moment. The air between them felt tight. Polite. Careful.

They weren’t close. That much was obvious.

Suddenly, a memory flashed through my mind. Julian’s voice. The conversation we’d had the day he approached me with the plan of becoming Nathan’s bride. I could still remember it vividly.

“Nate has enemies in the company, people waiting for an opportunity like this to get him out. People like our uncle—Victor Blackwood.”

So, this was him? This was the Victor Blackwood Julian had warned about.

Victor’s gaze shifted to me now. “Kimberly. It’s a pleasure meeting you.” His smile broadened as he extended his hand. “I’m Victor—Nathan’s uncle.”

“Nice to meet you.” I placed my hand in his, watching as he lifted it slowly and placed a light kiss on my knuckles, lingering there for a bit before releasing my hand.

Nathan didn’t say anything, but I felt the tension in his hand where it rested on my waist.

 “I’ve heard so much about you—not from Nathan anyway. And I must confess, you’re even more beautiful than the photographs,” he said softly. “My nephew has always had…excellent taste.”

“Thank you.” I forced a polite smile, even though I wasn’t comfortable. Something about the way he held my gaze a second too long made me nervous. It felt almost like he could see through me.

“Congratulations.” He smiled at me one last time. “And welcome to the family.”

Welcome to the family.

The words were pleasant. But something about the way he said them made my spine stiffen. It felt like he’s said something else entirely. Something like…

Welcome to the battlefield.

Or…

Welcome to hell.

When he walked away finally, I released a breath I hadn’t realized I‘d been holding.

But the relief was short-lived when Deborah and Ashley strolled by with bright smiles and champagne glasses.

Deborah looked stunning in a wine-colored gown, bold jewelry gleaming at her neck and wrists, and her hair swept up into an elegant updo. Ashley wore a blush-pink dress with a daring slit that ran high up her thigh, showing off the long legs she was so proud of.

Thankfully, they didn’t stay long. They offered their congratulations and well wishes with bright smiles and warm words. Words that still made me feel tense and wary.

By the time they left, the tension was still there. I tried to relax, but each time someone spoke directly to me, my stomach twisted into knots. Every handshake felt like an inspection. Every compliment felt like someone studying my face a little too long, searching for something out of place.

Being around the wealthy wasn’t easy. But trying to blend in as Nathan’s bride was harder.

 I was careful—careful not to look like the poor, inexperienced girl who didn’t belong in their world. Careful not to speak too little or too much. Careful not to laugh too loudly or stand too stiffly.

Did my smile betray the nervousness I felt? Was I really acting the way I should?

I smiled, trying to convince myself I was doing just fine.

I smiled at people. I smiled for the cameras. I smiled until my cheeks began to ache.

Eventually, the formalities eased and the attention shifted to something else—the wedding dance.

It was beautiful. The music was slow, romantic, perfectly suited for the moment. Nathan’s hand rested firmly at my waist, guiding me, while my fingers trembled lightly against his shoulder.

From the outside, we must have looked perfect—the golden couple swaying beneath the evening sky. And still, no one seemed to have figured out that I wasn’t Kim.

For a moment, I let myself believe I was safe.

Then the sky exploded above us.

Fireworks.

The first burst of light startled me. A bright flare of gold tore through the darkness, chased by silver and red streaks that scattered across the night sky, flooding the gardens in shimmering light.

A collective gasp rose from the crowd. Conversations halted. Even the music seemed to fade a little beneath the crackling brilliance above us.

For a short while, the tension left me as the sky burned in color, sparks raining down like falling stars. It was beautiful, so beautiful it stole my breath away. I tilted my face upwards, mesmerized as another explosion lit up the night and the crowd cheered.

When I finally brought my gaze back to Nathan, I found him watching me and not the fireworks.

The smile on my face dimmed as I met his eyes. The panic returned quietly, creeping back into my heart as I read the unmistakable message in them. He was impatient for the wedding to end, for us to finally be alone.

The day was winding down. I had survived the wedding.

But it wasn’t close to being over yet.

Now, my next fear was how I was going to survive the night.