Chapter 2

Malcolm suddenly yanked Lumi into his arms, their faces way too close.

He shot me a smirk. "Irene, seriously? You're too old for these drama queen—"

I didn't even let him finish—I stood on my toes and kissed Emmett. No hesitation. Just heat and breath and silence.

For a split second, panic flickered across Malcolm’s face.

Lumi covered her mouth in feigned shock. "Malcolm! She's just upset because of me. Now she's using someone else to make you jealous!"

Malcolm's jaw clenched, veins popping. "Irene, quit acting petty. Lumi's actually decent, and you're still being a brat. Apologize. Now."

I brushed him off. "Mr. Lowell, this is MY wedding with Emmett. Don't embarrass yourself more than you already have."

If he could hand me off to another guy mid-ceremony, he didn't get to whine about saving face.

The crowd erupted—cheers, claps, the whole thing.

Malcolm's face drained, but his eyes lit up with rage. "Get down here. Keep this up, and you can forget about marrying me!"

I laced my fingers with Emmett's and faced the priest. "Let's move on."

Malcolm stormed up the stage, grabbed my wrist, and shot Emmett a dismissive look. "You're really gonna throw yourself at anyone just to spite me?"

I ripped my hand back. "And who says you get a say in who I marry?"

Malcolm froze, then lunged for me again, pissed.

Emmett stepped in.

He smiled, voice ice-cold. "Malcolm, it's my wedding. Try not to harass MY BRIDE."

'My bride.' That one hit hard—Malcolm's face twisted.

They stared each other down, all heat and ego.

Right on cue, Lumi ran up sobbing. "Irene, it's all my fault! You two just looked so perfect together—height, looks, background... I was only joking! I'm sorry! If you'll just forgive Malcolm, I'll leave the Irving family and disappear forever..."

But this time, Malcolm didn't leap to defend her. He just stood there, fists clenched.

"Emmett, what the hell? I told you it was a joke before the wedding. And you're actually going through with this?"

Emmett shrugged. "Looks that way."

Then he laughed, lazy and cool, sliding an arm around my waist.

"She's right. Thanks to you, I got lucky and married an amazing woman."

He leaned in, voice slow and sharp. "What's not yours was never yours. But don't stress, bro—I'll take care of everything you couldn't hold on to."

Malcolm lost it. Threw a punch.

Lumi screamed.

I watched them scuffle for a second, then raised my hand—security knew what to do.

Malcolm got dragged off, still glaring at me.

Under a flood of gasps and whispers, Emmett and I turned to each other.

We said our vows.

The priest smiled.

"You are now husband and wife."