Chapter 1

Alexander Mercer stood up and took confident strides straight toward the altar.

The entire cathedral instantly erupted into a frenzy of gasps and whispers. Victor Bates froze in his tracks, spinning around to glare at Alexander and me.

"Veronica, haven't you thrown enough of a scene?" His brow twisted into a tight knot, his voice dripping with annoyance. "Sallie just slit her wrists and is in the emergency room! Her life is on the line, and you choose today of all days to throw a tantrum?"

[Classic line! Slit her wrists yet still had enough strength to dial his number. What a miracle!]

Reading the bright gold text drifting past my vision, I let out an icy laugh. "I'm not throwing a scene. I'm granting your wish."

I handed the microphone to Alexander and turned my cold gaze back onto Victor. "The exit is to your left. Don't let the double doors hit you on your way out."

Victor turned livid with rage. He rushed back to the altar and clamped his hand around my wrist.

"Stop acting like a child, will you?" His voice dropped low, laced with his usual patronizing tone. "I swear this is the last time. The second Sallie stabilizes, I'll come right back. It's our big day. I would never miss it."

I yanked my arm out of his grip and took a step back with explicit disgust. "No need. My wedding already has a groom."

Victor looked at Alexander in disbelief, a flicker of deep-seated dread flashing through his eyes. Alexander was infamous throughout Moonaiholt's elite circles as a ruthless shark, and he was the one business rival Victor feared the most.

"This is a private matter between me and my fiancée. What makes you think you can crash the altar?" Victor demanded, gritting his teeth.

Alexander casually adjusted his grip on the mic, his penetrating eyes filled with unreserved mockery and disdain.

"Ex-fiancée," he corrected smoothly, wrapping a protective arm around my waist. "As of right now, she is my fiancée."

Shockwaves rippled through the audience.

[Yes! Mr. Mercer is GOAT! His aura is literally embarrassing that trash bag by ten miles!]

Victor let out a frantic, incredulous laugh, pointing a finger straight at my face. "Veronica, you go to such absurd lengths just to force me to stay? Making up a ridiculous lie like this? Do you really think grabbing any guy who walks up here will make me cave?"

His mother, Eleanor Bates, rushed up the steps of the altar, her finger hovering inches from my nose as she screeched in outrage. "Veronica, have you lost your mind and your shame?

"We poured millions into funding this lavish wedding, and you're humiliating us in front of all of Moonaiholt? My son is acting out of noble compassion to save a human life. Not only do you show zero understanding, but you're up here behaving like a shameless whore!"

My best friend, Harper Perez, hurried over, tugging anxiously at the silk train of my gown.

"Veronica, don't do something you'll regret!" she cautioned. "Victor hates being threatened more than anything. Just swallow your pride and apologize now. When he gets back from the hospital, you'll still be Mrs. Bates!"

As I looked at this hypocritical troupe in front of me, a violent wave of nausea swept through my chest. Just half an hour ago in the bridal suite, I received a text from Sallie Kemp.

[Veronica, I'm so sorry. I was just terrified... Only Victor can make me feel safe.]

Attached was a photo of her wrist sporting a tiny, ridiculous Hello Kitty Band-Aid, with the background clearly showing the leather passenger seat of the limited-edition sports car Victor had bought just last night.

[What a textbook guilt-trip! If she had waited five more seconds to slap that Band-Aid on, the cut would have healed on its own!]

I locked my eyes with Victor, my gaze ice-cold. "Do you genuinely believe that I can't survive without you? You harbor Sallie, letting her trample all over my dignity time after time. Did you really think I was blind?"

Victor's gaze flickered with guilt, but he quickly reclaimed his arrogant, self-righteous stance. "Sallie suffers from severe depression, and her brother gave his life to save mine! What on earth is wrong with me taking care of her? When did you become so heartless and cruel?"

He glanced down at his watch, his impatience worsening by the second. "I don't have time for this ridiculous melodrama. Tell Alexander to get off the stage right now and finish these vows like a good girl. Otherwise, even if you beg on your knees in front of my doorstep later, I will never marry you!"

Alexander chuckled under his breath. Reaching into the inner pocket of his tailored suit jacket, he pulled out a document and tossed it onto the ground right at Victor's feet.

"If your eyesight is deteriorating, Mr. Bates, I suggest getting it checked," Alexander said smoothly. "This joint development agreement for the Southside Waterfront property... Miss Norris has already signed it."

The legal papers landed with a crisp snap, flipping open to the signature page where my name and Alexander's were printed side by side in bold ink.

Victor's face turned deathly pale. He stared at the contract on the floor, his body trembling uncontrollably.

The Southside Waterfront project was a prime commercial real estate venture Victor had been scheming to acquire for three years. He had always taken it for granted that I would bring that lucrative contract into the Bates family.

"No... That's impossible!" Victor stammered. "Veronica, you gave that land rights deal to him? Have you lost your mind?"

I watched his frantic, desperate breakdown with cold indifference.

"If you can swap my engagement ring for a smaller size meant for Sallie, why can't I swap you out for a real partner?" I raised my chin slightly. "Victor, take your pathetic savior complex and get the hell out of my wedding."