Chapter 8: Wedding 

Amy Stone

My phone starts ringing just as Kael presses a kiss to my forehead, his lips warm and possessive. I groan, snatching it off the nightstand, ready to hear whatever drama Melissa is brewing now.

“Melissa,” I mutter when I see her name, firm and emotionless.

Kael is standing at the edge of the bed, sliding on his tuxedo jacket with calm precision. The man looks like sin wrapped in silk, and here I am about to ruin my mood with this call.

“Ugh, this bitch,” I grumble and swipe to answer. “Melissa, if you don’t start talking in the next two seconds, I’m hanging up.”

On the other end, I hear ragged sobbing. Loud, messy sobbing like she’s trying to win an Oscar for Most Pathetic Performance.

Seems Chad's broke ass is tormenting her, it's barely a day and she's breaking.

“Amy!” Melissa wails, practically shrieking my name. “Amy, please! Please let me come to the wedding! I’m begging you!”

I pull the phone slightly away from my ear, making a face. “Girl, are you crying or choking on something? Get it together.”

Kael smirks at me through the mirror, clearly amused. I shoot him a look that says don’t start, then focus back on the circus happening on the line.

Melissa hiccups dramatically. “I just—I need to be there today, Amy. Please don’t shut me out! You’re my best friend!”

I snort. “Best friend? Let's not play cute. Don't make me remind you of your stupid deeds.”

There’s a sharp inhale on the other end. “Amy, that was a mistake!” she cries.

“Uh-huh.” I glance at my reflection while she babbles, fixing a stray strand of hair. “And now you want me to invite you to my wedding after all that? You really are bold, Melissa. Stupid, but bold.”

Her sobbing grows louder, and for a second, I consider hanging up just to save my eardrums. But then she says the magic words.

“Amy, I’ll do anything,” she blurts. “Please… please just give me this chance. I swear, I won’t cause any trouble. Just… let me be there.”

Anything, huh?

A slow, devilish grin spreads across my face.

Kael notices instantly, his eyes narrowing with suspicion.

“Melissa,” I say sweetly, sugar coating my tone so well it could rot teeth. “You know what? Fine. You can come.”

On the other end, she gasps so hard I think she might pass out. “R-Really?! Oh my God, Amy, thank you! You won’t regret this, I promise!”

“Uh-huh,” I drawl, already bored. “Just make sure you’re not late. Goodbye.”

I hang up before she can gush any more and toss the phone onto the bed like trash.

Kael turns to me fully now, his brow arched. “What are you up to, Amy?”

I strut over to him, wrapping my arms around his broad shoulders. “You’ll see,” I purr, pressing my chest against him. “Melissa and Chad are broke now. Desperate. Desperate people are stupid people. And stupid people are predictable.”

His smirk is slow and dangerous. “You’re baiting them.”

I shrug innocently. “I’m just letting nature take its course.”

Kael’s hands slide to my waist, gripping firmly. He dips his head, inhaling deeply at the crook of my neck. I feel the shiver run through him, and goosebumps prick my skin.

“Fuck, Amy,” he growls under his breath. “The way you smell… it’s like you’re trying to kill me.”

I laugh, low and throaty. “Good. Maybe then you’ll stop questioning my plans and just enjoy the show.”

His lips crash onto mine in a hot, fierce kiss, his tongue tangling with mine before he finally pulls back. His eyes are dark, his breathing uneven.

“Let’s go,” he rasps.

……

The wedding venue is massive, draped in luxury from the floor to the ceiling. Glittering chandeliers hang overhead, and every table looks like it was set by royalty—which, in some cases, it was.

Every powerful person who matters is here, including special royal guests from my side of the family. Their presence alone screams status, and I can practically hear the crowd buzzing with whispers as Kael and I walk in together.

Kael keeps his hand on the small of my back, his touch firm and possessive as we glide through the crowd. People stare, some with awe, some with jealousy.

“That’s Amy Stone.”

“She’s even more gorgeous in person.”

“Kael’s finally settling down.”

I smirk. Damn right they should be talking.

We make our rounds, greeting the most important guests while the rest fight for a glimpse. Everything is running smoothly… until I hear a familiar shrill voice echoing from the entrance.

Melissa.

She struts in like she owns the place, wearing a dress that’s clearly a cheap knockoff. The glitter is already flaking off the fabric, and I almost laugh out loud.

Chad trails behind her, looking like a half-dead puppy in a wrinkled suit. The fall from grace really did a number on him.

Melissa spots me and lets out a squeal so loud heads turn. She rushes toward me, arms open like we’re in some cheesy rom-com.

“Amy! Oh my God, you look like a freaking queen!” she gushes, practically throwing herself at me.

“Melissa,” I say smoothly, giving her a polite smile while silently calculating my next move.

She hugs me tightly, almost too tightly. And that’s when I feel it.

A subtle slip, it's quick and practiced. Something small slides into my purse.

My smile doesn’t waver. I hug her back like nothing happened, keeping my voice perfectly warm.

“Oh, babe,” I coo. “I’m so glad you could make it.”

But inside, my mind sharpens like a blade.

Melissa just played her hand.

Exactly what I was waiting for.