Author's Pov...
The Wedding That Changed Everything.
The church bells rang, sharp and loud, echoing through the grand cathedral like a final countdown Ren couldn't escape from.
The velvet carpet beneath his feet stretched endlessly forward, and every step he took toward the altar felt like walking toward his own doom.
Outside, the rain had finally stopped, but the clouds still loomed grey, as if unsure whether to grant him sunlight or another storm.
Inside, the massive hall was filled with unfamiliar faces, people in pristine suits and shimmering dresses, smiling and chatting, blissfully unaware that the groom.....the other groom...was internally screaming.
How did it come to this?
Ren's fingers twitched nervously as he adjusted the white suit he had been forced into. It fit him perfectly, too perfectly.....as if it had been tailored long before he ever agreed to this.
The wooden doors at the end of the hall creaked open.
A hush fell over the guests.
There he was.
Evan Vallen.
Standing at the altar, dressed in a sleek black tuxedo, tall, breathtaking, dangerous.
His black hair was slicked back just enough to reveal his sharp brows, but a few rebellious strands still framed his perfect face. His dark eyes were focused, smoldering.....and yet there was a playful glint buried deep inside them, as if he knew a secret Ren didn't.
Ren's heartbeat thudded loudly in his ears.
Why is he looking at me like that?
Why does it feel like I'm walking into a trap?
The closer he got, the more he could see it.....the faint curve of Evan's lips, a smirk just barely there, the kind that said: You can't escape me now.
The priest began the vows, but Ren barely heard him.
His mind was too busy spiraling.
This is just a contract. A deal. We are paying our family's debt. It's not love. It's not a real marriage.
Then Evan's deep voice broke his panic.
"I Do".
It wasn't rushed. It wasn't forced. It was firm, calm, and terrifyingly genuine.
The priest turned to Ren, but Evan didn't take his eyes off him....not for a second.
Ren's throat dried.
"I…"
Say it. Just say it. Get this over with.
"…I Do".
The hall erupted into soft applause.
The priest smiled. "You may now kiss the groom".
Ren blinked. Wait. We are doing that?!
Before he could step back or protest, Evan's gloved hand cupped his chin gently but firmly.
"Don't worry" Evan whispered, his voice low and rich. "It's in the script".
And then he kissed him.
Not a soft, polite peck. No, this kiss had weight. Heat. Like Evan wanted to make sure the entire world knew who Ren belonged to now.
When Evan finally pulled back, that same glimmer of mischief sparkled in his gaze.
"Welcome home, my dear spouse" Evan whispered with a wicked smile.
"Let's see if you can survive me".
Ren's legs nearly gave out.
I've made a huge mistake.
Outside, the clouds finally parted, a beam of sunlight breaking through the grey sky as if the universe had personally decided to spotlight the beginning of Ren's chaos.