The Bride Who Walked Away Novels & Stories

I stood there in silence, long enough for the snow to blanket the ground, long enough for a decade of passion and resentment to vanish like snowflakes in the wind. At last, when he seemed to feel my presence and our gazes locked, I walked away. For a fleeting moment, clarity flickered in his eyes, and he took a step to follow, but was quickly swallowed by a tide of jumbled memories. He grasped at a snow rabbit that happened by, asking, "Have you seen my Fiona?" I slipped away into the night, leaving the North to its Fiona-less fate, under a sky painted with crimson auroras.

None of those memories were fake. I'd been with him long enough. I refused to believe there hadn't been a single moment when he'd actually loved me — me, not the resemblance. I remembered every step he'd taken to win me over. Every night and day he'd treated me like I was something precious. How was I supposed to walk away from that? Our marriage had been registered with the Council of Elders. As long as I refused to sign, James had no legal grounds to remove me. I'd chosen the most foolish way to fight, just so he'd be forced to face what he really felt.

she said at last before walking away from me. I did not understand. Wasn't she supposed to be happy to know that? That the path was clear and free? I was pulled from my thoughts by the sound of clapping; the dance between the bride and groom had ended. I sighed in frustration. In the end, I could not ask her for help...

You'll get to see Giada walking down the aisle with your own eyes. However, only two months after he said that, Adriana returned to the country. Over time, he forgot his promises to my mother, the vows he had made at the proposal, and even the anguish he had shown when she left me her wedding gifts before passing. "Mom, I give you my word. Giada will wear the jewelry you gave her and marry me with a joyful heart!" In the end, what should have been my necklace and pendant went to Adriana. Everything had changed.

"No. I'm not." He stepped closer. The scent of his cologne wrapped around me. "Where the hell is she?" "Gone," I said. My voice cracked. "She left this morning. Said she couldn't do it. Dad begged me to... to fix it. The merger. The family name. Everything falls apart if this wedding doesn't happen." Alexander laughed once, sharp and bitter. "So you just put on her dress and stole my ring?" "I didn't steal anything," I shot back. Heat rushed to my cheeks. "I saved both our families. You needed this marriage as much as we did."

"Look into the camera and repeat after me. Tell her you welcome the baby and will step away as my wife. Tell her you wish us happiness." I wanted to look away, but Zachary's hand forced me to look into the camera. His shoes were trampling all over the crown jewel of a gown that had been torn off its hanger. He spent hours and a mountain of effort bidding on that in an auction. "You're the best fit for a gown, no one else," he once said. Now, he was stepping on that very diamond while forcing me to give my place to his mistress. I didn't bother moving.

Vincent reasoned, sipping his overfilled glass. Todd thought about Jessica; he knew she would jump at the chance to be Mrs. Vandenburg. The problem was she was far from the virginal bride his grandfather wanted. On top of that. The idea of being married to her left a bad taste in his mouth. She was good for a fun time, but she was far too immature and a notorious party girl. She was not the kind of woman you took to an event and got taken seriously by business partners. “The problem is my Grandfather has made a contract stating that my bride had to be a virgin…”

I could only force down the discomfort I felt and thank them in stiff tones, even though the only thought running through my mind then was how much I wanted to be standing here with Susanna instead. Elena's father walked her down the aisle, their pace slow and measured. Diamonds adorned the snow-white wedding dress she wore, and the tiara atop her head sparkled brilliantly. I was well aware that I should be stepping forward to accept my "bride", but it was as though my feet had turned to lead, pinning me in place. All the while, my gaze was focused on a spot somewhere in the distance—in the direction of the villa where Susanna and I lived.

"Breaking news! Bride loses her mind at billionaire wedding!" "Guess she wasn't meant for the high life. So close to marrying into money, and she snaps." Below the stage, guests in tailored suits crowded together. Some pulled out hidden cameras and started snapping photos nonstop, while others crouched in corners, clutching their heads and whispering prayers. All because, while Malcom Blair and I were exchanging vows just moments ago, I slapped him across the face, then dragged over a filthy man from the entrance who looked like a homeless drifter and kissed him in front of everyone.

However, her lips lifted momentarily in a sly smirk, and I was the only one who caught it. "But… But Carlotta will get angry about it…" "Who does she think she is?" Giusto spat. "She ran away from home just because her wedding got cancelled. What's the point of leaving the room for her? It's not like she cares about this Famiglia anymore anyway!" Mamma nodded and said, "He's right. Haven't you always wanted your bedroom to have a balcony, Arianna? It all works out just fine." Arianna nodded happily, smiling sweetly at them.