A Deal with the Devil

"What did you do?" she asked cautiously.

Adrian tucked his phone into his pocket. "By the time we walk down that aisle tomorrow, the only thing people will be talking about is how madly in love we are."

Something about the way he said it made Elena's stomach tighten.

This wasn't just about damage control.

This was about control.

And if Adrian had his way, she had a

feeling that her past wasn't the only thing that was about to disappear.

--

The Wedding Day

Elena had imagined her wedding day once. When she was younger. Back when she still believed in love, in fairytales, in happily-ever-afters.

This was not that day.

The Blackwood estate was transformed into a picture-perfect venue. White roses lined the grand staircase, golden chandeliers cast a warm glow over the ballroom, and hundreds of high-profile guests filled the space, eager to witness the union of two powerful names.

To the world, it looked like a dream.

To Elena, it felt like a prison.

As she stood in front of the mirror in her bridal suite, she barely recognized herself. The gown-pure white, fitted at the waist, with intricate lace details

-was stunning. But the woman wearing it?

She looked like a stranger.

"Are you ready?"

Elena turned to find her mother at the doorway.

Margaret Carter's eyes were filled with unshed tears, but there was something else there too-worry.

Elena forced a smile. "I have to be."

Her mother hesitated before stepping forward, placing a gentle hand on her cheek. "No matter what happens today, you're still my daughter. You're still Elena Carter."

Elena swallowed hard. "I don't know if that's true anymore."

Before her mother could respond, the door opened again. This time, it was one of Adrian's men.

"It's time."

Elena's pulse quickened.

This was it. No turning back.

With one final breath, she squared her shoulders and followed the man out.

ーーー

The Ceremony

The moment the doors to the grand ballroom opened, every eye in the room turned to her.

Cameras flashed. Gasps whispered through the crowd.

And at the end of the aisle, Adrian Blackwood stood waiting.

His gaze locked onto hers, unreadable. A man untouchable, impossible to predict.

This was no fairytale.

This was a deal sealed in diamonds and deception.

With slow, deliberate steps, she moved toward him, toward the life she had chosen.

And just as she reached the altar, the doors burst open behind her.

A deep, familiar voice cut through the silence.

"Elena, stop!"

She froze.

Her blood turned to ice.

Because standing at the entrance, disheveled and breathless, was Liam Weston.

And the moment she saw the look in his eyes, she knew-

This wasn't over.

Liam crashes the wedding, revealing a shocking secret about Adrian that could change everything.

But the real question?

Will Elena listen... or will she say 'I do' to the devil himself?

Silence fell over the grand ballroom.

Elena's breath hitched as she stood frozen at the altar, the weight of hundreds of eyes pressing down on her. But none of them mattered. Not the guests. Not the cameras. Not even the judge standing before them.

Because at the entrance of the ballroom, Liam Weston stood, his eyes locked onto hers.

"Elena, don't do this," Liam said, his voice steady but urgent.

Murmurs rippled through the crowd.

People exchanged glances, whispers spreading like wildfire.

Adrian Blackwood didn't move. He remained poised, his expression unreadable as he stood beside her.

But Elena could feel the tension radiating from him like a storm about to break.

"Someone stop him!" A security guard rushed forward, but Liam held up a hand.