Chapter 6: Shattered Vows

‎The church was packed. Flowers, crystal chandeliers, and hundreds of eyes watched me like I was on trial. I stood at the altar in my perfectly tailored suit, Haru beside me as best man, wearing that smug smile I hated more than anything.

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‎My mother walked up to me one last time. She grabbed my tie and tightened it so hard I almost choked. Her voice was low and threatening.

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‎“Do not disgrace this family. Marry Lila. Her father likes you. He’ll give us the new project when this is over. Don’t ruin everything.”

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‎She let go, smoothed my jacket, and walked back to sit beside my father. I stiffened. Change your fate. Faye’s words kept echoing in my head. Could I? Did I dare?

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‎Haru leaned in, still smiling for the guests. “Such a beautiful wife. Beneath those clothes she’s such a seductress. A panther. Never satisfied.”

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‎Tears pooled in my eyes and fell freely. To everyone else, I looked emotional about marrying the love of my life. In truth, I was hurt, betrayed, unloved, and abandoned. Hate burned in my chest.

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‎The music started. Everyone stood. Lila walked down the aisle with her father, looking radiant in white. When her father placed her hand in mine, he smiled warmly.

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‎“Take care of my daughter.”

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‎I forced a smile and nodded. As he walked away, I muttered under my breath, “My brother already does.”

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‎Lila shot me a glare.

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‎The officiant began the ceremony. When it was time for the vows, he asked us to repeat them.

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‎“With this ring, I take thee with my heart, body, and soul. To love and to hold, in sickness and in health, for richer or poorer…”

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‎Lila recited hers beautifully, tears in her eyes. For a second, I almost believed her.

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‎Then the doors at the back opened.

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‎A tall man in a perfectly tailored black suit walked in, flanked by a man and a woman. That face… that build… the ring on his pinky, It looks familiar —not until he looked up, straight at me with those mismatched eyes, my heart stopped.

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‎Shit. The stranger from that night. My one-night stand.

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‎My resolve weakened. My breath quickened. My ears tingled.

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‎“Ren… Ren… Ren!”

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‎Haru pinched me hard. I almost cried out. I forced myself to recite my vows, voice shaky.

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‎After we both finished, the officiant turned to Lila first.

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‎“Do you, Lila Quinn, take Ren Banks to be your husband?”

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‎“I do,” she said loudly, tears shining in her eyes.

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‎Then he turned to me.

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‎“And do you, Ren Banks, take Lila Moreau to be your wife?”

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‎The church fell silent. Lila touched my cheek, faking love, trying to get me to answer. The touch irritated me so much, thinking back to the betrayal and lack of remorse.....such thick skin people. At last, something inside me finally snapped.

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‎“Get your fucking hands off me, you disgusting cheating bitch!”

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‎Gasps exploded across the hall. Lila’s mouth fell open. Ayesha jumped up from her seat, squealing and punching the air in excitement.

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‎“I’m not marrying your ass!” I shouted. “You fucked my brother during our engagement and so many times before then, now you want me to act like nothing happened? If you like him so much, then be with him!”

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‎Haru stepped forward. “What are you doing, Ren? Embarrassing Lila and the family like that?”

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‎“Oh, shut your trap, you pussy-eating pig!” I snapped. “Thinking with your dick but never your brain!”

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‎My mother raised her voice. “Ren!”

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‎Lila’s father demanded to know what was going on. My own father marched up and gave me a resounding slap across the face.

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‎Before I could react, the stranger from that night stood up. Ayesha ran to my side, getting between me and my father.

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‎“You knew your precious first son was sleeping with Ren’s fiancée but you told Ren to get over it?” she shouted. “Some father you are!”

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‎The argument exploded. Ayesha cursed my parents out, calling them monsters even the devil would take notes from. I finally shouted over everyone.

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‎“It’s enough! No matter what, I won’t marry Lila. Since she likes Haru’s dick that much, they should be with each other!”

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‎My mother grabbed my arm so tight it hurt. if it weren't for the long sleeve, I'm pretty sure I'll bruise.“You must marry her!”

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‎“I won’t!” I yelled, pulling away. “Apart from her cheating… I love another.”

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‎Haru laughed cruelly. “Who could fucking love you back, you pathetic excuse?”

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‎My eyes searched the crowd and landed on those mismatched eyes. Without thinking, I ran to the stranger and hugged him tightly, whispering against his chest:

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‎“Save me… please.”

‎The entire hall gasped.

‎Lila shouted, “What do you mean you love my stepbrother?!”

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‎I looked up at the tall man with pleading eyes and said the words that would change everything:

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‎“Marry me.”

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