Chapter Two

The hall was large and bright. It was decorated with white flowers, gold ribbons, and expensive designs that screamed luxury. Everything looked perfect. Too perfect. The kind of perfection that hides pain underneath.

Rows of chairs filled the hall. Every seat was occupied. Faces Riley had never seen before stared back at her. Important people. Rich people. Powerful people. People who did not know her story. People who did not care about her fear.

As soon as the large glass doors slid open, the hall erupted with flashes of light.

Reporters lifted their cameras high. Some stood on chairs. Others pushed forward just to get a better shot. The lights were blinding. The noise was overwhelming. It felt like the whole world had stopped just to watch her walk inside.

Riley stood at the entrance.

Her fingers trembled around the bouquet in her hands. The flowers were fresh and beautiful, yet her palms were damp with sweat. Her heart beat loudly in her chest. It felt like everyone could hear it.

Now that she was here, the marriage felt real. Too real.

Her father stood beside her. He wore a neat black suit. His hair was carefully combed, but his nervous smile gave him away. His hand shook slightly as he held hers.

He stretched his hand out fully to her, silently asking her to take it.

Riley looked at his hand. Then she looked up at his face.

She felt lost.

What am I even doing here?

Why does this feel like a mistake?

What if he does not show up?

Is it right to marry a man I have never seen before?

The questions crashed into her mind all at once. They did not stop. They did not slow down. They suffocated her.

Riley swallowed hard.

She turned her head slightly and saw the large wedding portrait hanging on the wall. It was huge. Almost life-size.

In the picture, she stood beside Ken Hale. Both of them smiled softly. They looked happy. Perfect. Like a fairy tale couple.

But it was all a lie.

Ken was never there.

He did not show up for the photoshoot. Not even once. She stood alone in front of the camera while strangers told her where to look. How to smile. How to tilt her head. They promised her they would fix everything with editing.

They promised they would paste Ken into the photo like he was always there.

And now the world believed it.

Riley felt her chest tighten.

The music started to play. Soft. Slow. Gentle.

Her father squeezed her hand gently. It was time.

Riley took her first step forward.

The long white aisle stretched before her. Each step felt heavier than the last. Her dress dragged behind her like a weight pulling her down.

She watched the faces as she walked. Some smiled. Some whispered. Some stared with curiosity.

Nothing made sense anymore.

Was she really getting married just to fulfill her father’s wish? Just so he could walk her down the aisle before it was too late?

What happens after today?

After the wedding, what next?

Would she move into a house she had never seen? Into a family she did not know? Would she live with a man who did not care enough to even show up for his own wedding?

Her throat burned.

Every step became harder. Her legs ached. Her heart felt too heavy for her chest.

But then she turned slightly and looked at her father.

He smiled at her. A real smile. One filled with pride. One filled with love.

And suddenly, she felt a small wave of relief.

This was for him.

Everything she was doing was for him.

Riley leaned closer to her father and whispered, her voice shaking,

“What if he doesn’t show up?”

Her father did not stop walking. He did not look worried. Instead, he smiled calmly.

“Don R.J gave me his word,” he said softly. “He will come.”

Riley felt surprised. Her father sounded so sure. So confident.

How could he trust the Hales so much?

The altar was getting closer. Too close.

Yet the groom was nowhere to be seen.

The seat beside the priest was empty. Painfully empty.

The murmurs began.

Soft whispers at first. Then louder. People leaned toward each other. Phones were subtly lifted. Curiosity filled the air.

Riley swallowed hard.

Her steps slowed. She almost wanted to stop walking completely.

Finally, they reached the altar.

Her father gently released her hand.

Riley turned to him quickly. Her eyes widened.

Was he really leaving her here?

Alone?

In front of all these people?

Her fingers tightened around nothing. Her heart screamed.

She shook her head slowly. Her eyes begged him.

Please don’t leave me.

But he had no choice.

He smiled at her one last time and stepped away.

Riley froze.

Every pair of eyes was now on her.

She stood alone at the altar. Alone in her fear. Alone in her shame.

Ken, please, she cried silently.

You can do anything after today. You can leave. You can remarry. Just show up. Please.

She looked at the doors again. And again. And again.

They did not open.

The priest cleared his throat. He leaned closer and whispered,

“Where is the groom?”

Riley’s heart pounded violently.

Sweat rolled down her temple even though the hall was cold. Her hands shook uncontrollably.

Please! Please!! Please!!!

Her vision blurred with tears.

She searched the crowd for her father. She needed him. Just one look from him. One sign of strength.

But then—

He was gone.

Riley froze.

Her breath caught in her throat.

She was truly alone now.

Back at the Groom’s Dressing Room

Ken stood still. His fists were clenched. His jaw was tight. His eyes burned with rage.

He stared at his grandfather.

“You have made a mistake this time,” Ken said through gritted teeth. “And I will prove to you that you do not own my life.”

Don R.J slammed his walking stick against the floor. The sound echoed through the room.

The guards tightened their grip and forced Ken to kneel.

“You cannot force me into this marriage,” Ken snapped. “Today, you will face the biggest embarrassment of your life.”

He laughed bitterly. A broken laugh filled with anger.

“The great Don R.J Hale will break his promise today.”

His grandfather raised his stick, ready to strike.

Ken did not flinch. He did not look away. There was no fear in his eyes. Only defiance.

Don R.J paused.

He slowly lowered his stick.

“Fine,” he sighed. “I will not force you to marry today.”

Hope flickered in Ken’s eyes.

“But,” Don R.J continued coldly, “you will no longer be a Hale.”

Ken froze.

“I will disown you. Cut off your inheritance. You will be nothing.”

Ken’s hands trembled. His chest tightened.

“So be it,” he said firmly.

Don R.J leaned closer and whispered,

“And how will you fund the search for your mother?”

Ken froze.

His eyes widened. His grandfather knows he has been searching for his mother.

He snapped. Tears filled his eyes as he struggled against the guards.

“Don’t you dare!”

“I know you have been looking for her,” Don R.J said calmly. “If you do not marry today, I will destroy every lead.”

Ken broke.

“You wouldn’t,” his voice broke with uncertainty.

From the look on his grandfather eyes he could tell this was not a mere threat.

Ken shoulders dropped in defeat.

His grandfather has won this time.

He had no choice.

He clenched his fist tightly. Riley Bennett has done so much just to be part of the Hales family and now he would make her pay for this.

And he would make sure she regretted becoming a Hale.