Lahat ng Kabanata ng By Chance, By Fate: Kabanata 101 - Kabanata 110

102AlexI felt her lips press against mine before I could fully process what was happening. It was soft at first, tentative, as if she was testing the waters to see if I’d pull away. But I didn’t. Instead, I stood there, frozen, my mind racing with conflicting thoughts. It was like a strange pull—her insistence, the pressure mounting with every moment, and the feeling of helplessness that gripped me.Her hands slid up my chest, gently pushing me back toward the bed. I didn’t resist, though every part of me screamed to stop. But there was no stopping it now. Charlotte was determined, and I had been cornered into this position.She kissed me again, harder this time, her lips demanding, as if she had finally gotten the upper hand. And in some twisted way, I had given it to her. The realization stung, but it was too late for regrets.“Don’t act like this is new, Alex,” Charlotte murmured between kisses, her voice low, almost taunting. “You knew this was coming.”I wanted to tell her she

104LiamAs the grand doors to the ceremony hall loomed ahead, I could feel the weight of every step I took. The golden trim on the marble floor glinted in the sunlight streaming through the high windows, but it did nothing to warm the chill inside me. “Your Highness, would you like a moment before entering?” the servant asked, his voice quiet, almost hesitant. I paused, considering it for the briefest moment, before shaking my head. “No,” I said firmly, though my voice betrayed the tremor in my chest. “Let’s get this over with.” The servant nodded and pushed open the doors. The hall was magnificent—vaulted ceilings adorned with intricate frescoes, rows of pews filled with royalty, dignitaries, and guests dressed in their finest. A massive floral arrangement framed the altar at the front, where my bride-to-be stood, her back to me, speaking softly with her bridesmaids. The string quartet played a delicate melody, but the sound barely registered. My eyes swept the crowd, inst

106Alex The tension in the room was palpable as Queen Eleanor made her way toward the front, her presence commanding attention. I felt all eyes on me, the weight of their scrutiny almost suffocating. Charlotte, always the opportunist, squeezed my arm and chuckled softly."You're quite the spectacle, Alex. I can't believe you just walked in like that." Her voice was teasing, but there was something dangerous in her tone."Not the time, Charlotte," I muttered, feeling a headache building behind my eyes."You always say that," she whispered back, her grin widening. "But I think this is the time for you to finally face the music. You can't keep running from this."I shot her a warning glance, but her amusement only deepened. As Queen Eleanor reached the altar, I could feel the murmur of the crowd intensifying. The whispers had now shifted from shock to speculation."What was that about? Did he really just say he didn’t know?""I heard they don't get along. Family politics, maybe?""Is t

108 **Alex** The applause had faded into a polite murmur, the sound of it hollow and detached, like it came from another world. My throat was tight, my pulse unsteady, but I kept my face neutral, diplomatic. Years of public scrutiny had trained me well, but even so, standing here under Liam’s searing gaze felt like being on trial.I turned my attention back to Charlotte, who was still smirking, thoroughly enjoying the spectacle. Her arm looped through mine, and she leaned in again, her voice a conspiratorial whisper. "Do you think he’ll throw a punch? Because honestly, I wouldn’t blame him." I gave her a warning look. "Enough, Charlotte." She laughed softly, undeterred, and released my arm. “Fine. I’ll go enjoy the open bar while you clean up this mess. Try not to embarrass yourself.” Before I could retort, she was gone, disappearing into the sea of glittering gowns and tailored suits. I exhaled sharply, scanning the room for Queen Eleanor. She was by the dais now, her sa

110Alex### **Alex**The silence of the garden was a fragile reprieve, one I desperately needed after the chaos inside. My mind churned with Liam’s words, his anger, his pain—and my own foolish inability to let him go. The memory of his eyes, sharp and accusing, lingered like a wound I couldn’t stop pressing. I didn’t realize Charlotte had found me until her heels clicked against the stone pathway. "Figured I’d find you brooding out here," she said, her voice light but laced with irritation. I glanced over my shoulder. She stood there in her emerald gown, arms crossed, the moonlight catching the auburn in her hair. Her expression was an artful blend of amusement and exasperation, but I knew her well enough to spot the storm brewing underneath. "What do you want, Charlotte?" I asked, turning back to the fountain ahead of me. She huffed, moving to stand beside me. "Well, you didn’t exactly make it easy for me to enjoy the open bar after that little display with *His Royal Hig