All Chapters of Let Them Kneel: Chapter 41 - Chapter 50

He couldn’t even remember half of what she’d said—something about the seating chart, the shade of ribbon for the centerpieces, the exact placement of the ceremonial torches. He murmured, “Whatever you think is best,” more than once, the words automatic, hollow. The hum of voices blurred into backgr

The night air was heavy with the scent of fresh cut grass and regret. From the balcony, Julian watched the workers below setting torches along the garden’s path, their flames flaring and dimming like fireflies in the dark. The whole place was being transformed for the ceremony — the celebration of h

Kaelani’s eyes snapped back to Julian, her glare sharp enough to cut glass. He ignored it and started sweeping, long deliberate strokes that made it painfully obvious he had no idea what he was doing. She crossed her arms, watching unimpressed. “You’ve never swept a day in your life, have you?”

The streets were nearly empty by the time Kaelani locked the bakery behind her. The heat that had clung to the town all summer was finally breaking; the night air carried a faint chill that slipped beneath her sleeves. Her boots scuffed against the sidewalk, the sound too loud in the quiet. She kep

He wondered if she’d opened the package yet. If she’d seen the dress. Did she like it? Did it make her smile, even for a moment? Or had it just reopened everything he’d already destroyed? He’d told himself the gift would soften her—ease some of the anger she had towards him. But after tonight, af