Chapter 004 (The Wedding Day)

“Mr. Myers, do you take Maria Brown to be your wife, to have and to hold, from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, until death do you part?”  

“I do.”  

“And Maria Brown, do you take Chris Myers to be your husband, to have and to hold, from this day forward—”  

“Yes, I do,” Maria answered softly before the minister could finish, lowering her head as a shy smile curved her lips, her cheeks warming with modest embarrassment.  

Chris chuckled affectionately. The minister pronounced them husband and wife. With deliberate tenderness, Chris slid the wedding band onto Maria’s finger, lifted her hand, and pressed a gentle kiss against her knuckles.  

Lila stood slightly apart from the crowd, a silent observer among unfamiliar faces. Her gaze wandered across the decorated hall until it landed on Ryan—her new… brother.  

He moved with polished ease, greeting guests with practiced charm and confidence. No one would ever guess that the world’s number one racing driver was, in truth, a rude, arrogant bastard who barely tolerated her existence.  

As she stood there lost in thought, a waiter carrying a tray of drinks stumbled and collided with her. Cold juice spilled over her sky-blue dress, soaking the fabric and clinging uncomfortably to her skin, leaving it almost transparent.  

Lila froze, heat rushing to her face as the waiter apologized frantically. She could barely hear him.  

A strong hand suddenly pulled her back. Before she could react, a luxurious jacket was draped over her shoulders, shielding her wet dress. A firm arm wrapped around her waist, pressing her against a solid chest.  

That scent—deep, musky, unmistakable—hit her senses instantly, even beneath the expensive cologne. Her breath hitched.  

She lifted her head and met honey-brown eyes staring down at her. There was something sharp and predatory in his gaze that sent a cold shiver racing down her spine.  

Without saying a word, Ryan gathered her against him and lifted her effortlessly into his arms.  

Her heart pounded violently. Despite her buried resentment toward him, her arm instinctively wrapped around his neck to steady herself.  

“What are you doing?” she whispered, panic and embarrassment tangling in her voice. “Ryan, put me down!”  

He ignored her completely, his jaw tight as he walked with steady, purposeful steps into the mansion.  

Ryan kept his gaze fixed ahead, forcing himself not to acknowledge the warmth pressed against him or the way her body fit too perfectly in his arms. He cursed his impulse, his grip tightening slightly as if to anchor himself.  

*Why you?*  

*Why does your scent do this to me?*  

He climbed the stairs quickly, his mind roaring like a chained beast, and pushed open her bedroom door. With a sharp movement, he placed her on the bed, stepping back as though he had rid himself of something heavy and dangerous.  

“Can’t you stop staring at men and pay attention to your mother on her wedding night?”  

The words hit her like a thunderclap.  

She stared at him, stunned. “What? How dare you—”  

“Shut up!” he snapped, his voice harsh and explosive. His honey-brown eyes burned with anger, forcing the words back down her throat. Fear sealed her lips.  

“Take a shower,” he growled. “You smell awful. And don’t wear cheap dresses. I won’t have someone like you dragging the Myers name through the mud.”  

He turned and left, slamming the door behind him.  

Lila remained seated on the bed, unmoving, her heart hammering painfully. Anger burned in her chest, tangled with confusion she didn’t want to acknowledge.  

“Who does that scoundrel think he is!” she shouted suddenly, rising to her feet. She shrugged his jacket off, threw it onto the floor, and stepped on it viciously. “Arrogant fool.”  

She grabbed fresh clothes and stormed into the bathroom, her steps heavy. She wasn’t weak—so why had her voice frozen in front of him? Why did she feel so small under his gaze?  

Cold water poured over her as she stepped beneath the shower. She hugged herself tightly, memories of his warmth surfacing against her will. She slid down to sit on the floor, letting out a shaky sigh.  

How many times had she sighed since moving into this mansion?  

A few steps away, Ryan stood rigid behind his own door, honey-brown eyes wide, breaths rapid. One hand clamped over his mouth, suppressing a growl clawing its way up his throat.  

Losing control, he rushed into the bathroom and stepped under freezing water, fully clothed. He braced his hands against the wall, chest heaving violently as he fought the hunger stirring inside him.  

Slowly, painfully, her scent faded.  

He dragged a trembling hand through his hair and muttered hoarsely, “Your presence here will not pass peacefully for me, Lila.”  

A moment later, frustration overtook him. “Damn this marriage.”  

After changing, he grabbed his phone and dialed a familiar number.  

“Oh! Ryan, darling!” Zoey’s playful voice chimed. “You didn’t even tell me about your father’s wedding!”  

“Not now,” he said coldly. “I need dresses. Exclusive designs. Send someone to take measurements within thirty minutes.”  

“For your sister?” Zoey laughed. “Since when do you care—”  

“Zoey.”  

She sighed dramatically. “Fine. What does she look like?”  

Ryan paused, his mind flashing with pale skin and sky-blue eyes lifted toward him in silent defiance. His jaw tightened.  

“Anything will suit her.”  

He ended the call and ordered a servant to place the dresses in Lila’s room.  

Lila was searching her wardrobe when a knock sounded. Her heart jumped, but she forced herself to speak.  

“Come in.”  

A maid entered with a rack of exquisite dresses, followed by a stylist who immediately began working, leaving Lila little room to protest.  

Downstairs, Ryan waited in another flawless suit, checking his watch repeatedly. When he heard heels on the stairs, he looked up—and froze.  

Lila descended slowly, wearing a wine-colored dress that revealed her arms and collarbone. Her makeup was soft, her chestnut hair styled elegantly.  

She stopped in front of him, uncertainty flickering in her sky-blue eyes. “I’m ready.”  

Ryan turned away after a brief pause, masking his reaction. She looked attractive—he wouldn’t deny that. But the floral scent surrounding her felt unfamiliar, distant.  

He offered his arm, and she took it without protest. Together, they rejoined the guests.  

A friend nudged him with a grin. “You were late. Got attracted to your sister?”  

Another laughed. “Have you seen her? She’s stunning.”  

“She’s nothing special,” Ryan snapped, irritation clear in his tone. “And her smell is disgusting.”  

Lila clenched her fists, fury boiling beneath her composed exterior.  

As she turned away, cursing him silently, her sky-blue eyes met a pair of deep blue ones watching her intently—so intently that the rest of the party seemed to disappear.