Over the top of the cathedral, its stained-glass windows throw soft rainbow colors across the marble floor. The air was thick with the scent of white roses, baby's breath, and candle smoke. Gold chandeliers washed the place in warm light, while a string quartet played quiet notes that drifted through the hall. Guests in elegant clothes stood neatly in place, stealing uneasy glances toward the grand open doors.
The groom stood at the altar, stiff in his starched tuxedo. He swallowed hard, looking like a man trying to hide how nervous he truly was. The priest beside him did not even blink. His stern face stayed fixed forward, as if nothing could shake him.
Then the first sound of the wedding march filled the cathedral. The large doors opened with a long creak. Every whisper died instantly. The bride stepped inside, her figure calm and steady, her veil trailing behind her like the edge of a dream.
Elena kept a soft smile on her face, lost in her thoughts for a moment. She let her eyes wander around, taking in the beauty of the church, the soft lights, and the sea of faces.
She began her walk down the aisle. Her gown flowed behind her in a smooth line, almost like silk water. Her heart hammered in her chest, but not only from excitement.
Oh my God, I didn't think so many people would show up today. She tried not to stare too long at the unfamiliar faces watching her. How is everyone here? I only invited a few. This has to be Chloe's work.
A small ache pulled at her chest as she thought of her parents.
I wish both of you were here. You should have seen this. Dad, you pushed so hard for me to get married. You even tied it to my inheritance, and now you are not here to see it. Only one year and you left me completely alone.
Her throat tightened as her mother came to mind.
Mum, Dad always said I looked like you and thought like you, but cancer took you, and a cold accident took him. Now it is just me, Chloe, and Charles. The man waiting for me at the altar.
She turned slightly and looked over her shoulder. Chloe stood right behind her, carefully lifting the heavy train of her gown. Chloe's touch was gentle, and her warm smile held the kind of comfort only a sister could give.
Elena faced forward again. Her gaze found Charles. He stood tall at the altar, his tuxedo sharp and neat. His dark eyes locked onto her the moment she looked up. A slow, teasing smile curved on his lips.
A familiar jolt ran through her stomach.
Oh come on Charles, look somewhere else for a second. Not now. Not with those eyes. The way he looks at me like I am the only woman left in the universe always makes me lose control.
Elena's hand were shaking a little as she clutched the flowing fabric of her wedding gown. She bit her lower lip without thinking.
Even today, he can soften me with just one smile.
Her mind slipped back to the night she first met him.
It was Chloe's birthday party. Elena was sitting at the bar with a drink in hand, laughing lightly while talking to Chloe, when an extremely handsome man walked up to them.
"Happy birthday, Chloe." Charles smiled as he handed her a small, beautifully wrapped gift. "I would never miss today. Unless I wanted your spirit chasing me for the rest of my life."
"Oh my God, that's so sweet!" Chloe's eyes sparkled as she accepted the gift. "Thank you, Charles! Let me introduce you. This is my best friend, El—"
Koff koff.
Elena cleared her throat sharply. She threw Chloe a warning look that said everything without a single word.
Chloe's lips curled into a mischievous grin. "Charles, keep her entertained for me. I need to greet a few more guests."
"Wait a minute Chloe. I don't want to believe you are leaving me here, are you?" Elena asked, her voice tight with nerves.
"See you later, girlfriend," Chloe said, enjoying every bit of Elena's confusion. Then she disappeared into the crowd.
Charles turned to Elena, amused. "Hello, my lady." His voice slid out smooth and controlled, almost too confident.
Elena barely gave him a glance. She turned her head away with practiced pride. She never let men in easily. Her mother had drilled it into her since childhood. Men liked the chase, and women who allowed it too soon always paid the price. Elena never understood how her mother, of all people, had fallen for her father.
A soft laugh from Charles pulled her back to the present.
…
"Hello, princess," he whispered now, back at the altar.
His voice carried a calm warmth, but there was something deeper hidden under it. Elena blinked hard, shaking off the memory of their first meeting. In front of her stood the man who had changed her life in ways she still could not fully understand.
Charles took both her hands. His touch on her was warm and reassuring like everything will be alright. His dark eyes became more softened as he looked at her passionately.
"Do not be scared, my lady," he whispered gently. His thumb moved in slow circles against her skin. "Today is our wedding."
Her stomach tightened. Love mixed with nerves and something she could not name. His hold grounded her. For a moment, all the doubts that had troubled her faded into nothing.
The priest cleared his throat, loud enough to snap everyone's focus back.
"Elena Moretti, do you take this man to be your lawfully wedded husband? To love, honor, and cherish him, in sickness and in health, for richer or poorer, till death do you part?"
Elena drew in a shaky breath. Her eyes stayed locked on Charles.
"I do," she whispered.
His eyes flashed with heat, but she barely had time to process it before the priest turned.
"Charles Laurent, do you take this woman to be—"
Bang.
A violent crash exploded through the cathedral.
The huge doors slammed open, banging against the walls. People gasped. Masked men in black uniforms rushed inside. Heavy boots hit the marble floor like thunder. Their hands were wrapped tightly around rifles.
Screams ripped through the air. All guests panicked, grabbing each other and ducking under pews. The choir song cut short like someone pressed pause on the world.
Then it began, two sharp blasts like lighting sounds.
Bang. Bang.
Bullets tore into the ceiling. White dust rained down. A chandelier swung, trembling. A baby wailed somewhere in the crowd. People screamed and crawled for cover.
Elena stood frozen. Her heart slammed against her ribs. She grabbed onto Charles, who looked just as stunned and afraid.
"Well well. What a happy couple." One of the masked men walked down the aisle with slow, confident steps. His voice carried easily over the screams. "Sorry for ruining your beautiful wedding."
He stopped in front of Elena. He tilted his head, studying her like she was something amusing that he had just discovered.
"Sorry, sweetheart." The masked man spoke with a tone so fake it made Elena's stomach twist. "You are not getting married today."
Before she could step back, he lifted his rifle and swung. The butt slammed into Charles's head with a sickening crack.
Elena gasped. "Charles!"
His body dropped immediately. Blood slid from his temple in a thin line that darkened his skin.
"No. No, no!" Elena fell to her knees, pulling his face into her hands. Her voice broke as she shook him. "Charles, wake up. Please wake up."
One of the masked men crouched down and hooked his arms under Charles's shoulders, lifting him with no care at all.
Elena grabbed at him, her fingers trembling uncontrollably. "Please. I will give you anything. Money, property, whatever you want. Just do not take him."
The man holding Charles let out a harsh laugh. "You rich kids always think money is the answer."
Then a slap cut across her face like fire.
Her head jerked sideways and she hit the cold floor hard. Pain exploded across her cheek, spreading like heat under her skin. Her ears rang as she raised a shaking hand to touch the throbbing spot.
The masked man leaned down beside her, his voice dripping with sarcasm. "Stay down, princess."
She could only watch as they carried Charles toward the open doors. Her chest squeezed painfully, each breath sharp and uneven.
"No!" She pushed herself up on weak legs and tried to run after them.
Gunfire burst again. A second wave of deafening shots filled the cathedral. The force of the sound knocked her off balance. The shock made her stumbled backward and fell flat onto the marble floor, looking powerless as the men disappeared into the bright daylight.
Their heavy footsteps faded slowly, leaving a hollow silence behind them. The cathedral felt broken. Screams echoed off the walls, mixing with the fading ring of gunfire that had torn the wedding apart.
Elena's own scream slipped out, raw and desperate.
Guests rushed to her side. Their faces blurred together as they spoke over each other in frantic whispers.
"They will find him, Elena. The police will get them."
"They did not kill him, so they must need him alive."
"Why would anyone do this? She has no enemies."
Elena heard none of it.
She sat on the floor with her wedding dress spread around her like crushed petals. Tears filled her eyes until the world became nothing but smudged light and moving shapes.
Her hands curled slowly into fists.
A moment ago she stood ready to say I do.
Now, her entire world had shattered in front of her.