Isabella, are you okay?" Julian asked, noticing the phone that had slipped from her hand. He bent and slowly picked it up.
Isabella did not answer. Her eyes were fixed on Camilla as Camilla stood up from her seat and walked calmly out of the hall. Julian noticed her too.
"What did she tell you?" Julian asked, handing Isabella her phone. "What did Camilla say to you?"
Isabella took the phone from him. The screen was slightly cracked, but she barely noticed.
"Nothing," she lied as she stood up.
"Where can I find the restroom?" she asked, her voice shaky.
Julian pointed down the hall. "Go straight, turn left, and you will see the door."
She nodded and walked out of the hall. Following his directions, she found the restroom and stepped inside. She stood in front of the mirror, staring at her reflection.
What have I done?
Her heart was racing. Panic settled deep in her chest.
"Calm down," she whispered to herself. "Camilla does not know anything. She is only trying to scare me."
She splashed water on her face and took a deep breath, trying to steady herself. But before she could relax, the restroom door suddenly opened.
Isabella turned and froze.
Camilla stood right in front of her.
"What do you want?" Isabella asked, her voice firm.
"Oh, nothing," Camilla said casually. "I was just checking on the bride. You look distressed. Is there anything I can help you with?"
"Please," Isabella snapped. "Stop pretending you care. Just leave me alone."
Camilla laughed softly. "Fine."
She stepped out and closed the door behind her.
Isabella let out a shaky breath. "It is fine," she told herself. "Everything is fine."
She turned to leave. She grabbed the door handle and pulled.
It did not open.
Her heart dropped.
She tried again. Still locked.
"What?" she whispered, panic flooding in.
She began pounding on the door. "Open the door! Someone help me! Who locked me in here?"
No response.
Fear wrapped around her chest as she banged harder. Tears filled her eyes. What if no one heard her? What if she missed the ceremony? What would Adrain do to her?
Isabella frantically grabbed her phone, hoping to call someone for help. But when she turned it on, the screen was blank. The fall earlier must have damaged it. Panic surged through her chest.
She stepped back, wiped her damp palms against her dress, then ran toward the door and slammed her shoulder into it. The impact sent a sharp pain through her arm, but the door barely moved. She winced, tears stinging her eyes.
But she did not stop.
Her heart pounded harder. She gathered all the strength she had left and charged again.
At that exact moment, the door opened.
She crashed straight into Julian.
The force sent them both off balance. Julian stumbled back instinctively and wrapped his arms around her just in time, holding her tightly against his chest to stop them from falling.
She froze.
Then she broke.
Her hands clenched his suit as if he were the only solid thing left in the world. Her body shook uncontrollably, her breath coming out in broken gasps.
Julian looked at her, his expression shifting, slow and urgent.
"What happened? Are you okay?"
Isabella tried to speak, but the words came out broken and unsure. Tears welled up before she could stop them.
"I thought no one was going to come for me," she said, her voice trembling. "I think Camilla… I think she locked me in there. I didn't know. I panicked. I really thought nobody was coming for me."
"Camilla?" Julian repeated quietly, shaking his head. "I see."
He studied her for a moment. "Are you hurt? You look like you were trying to break the door."
"I think I'm fine," Isabella said, though she clearly wasn't. Her body betrayed her words as she leaned into him, clinging for balance more than comfort.
"Okay," Julian said carefully, steadying her. "Just calm down. Breathe. Everything is fine now. It's okay."
She stayed like that for a brief moment, holding on, trying to slow her racing heart. Then she caught herself and pulled back, forcing her composure.
"I think we should go," she said quietly.
Julian nodded. "Yes. We should."
They walked away together, their steps measured, the air between them still heavy.
At the far end of the corridor, Camilla stood watching. A low, satisfied smile curved her lips before she turned and walked away.
As they headed back toward the hall, Isabella winced slightly.
Julian noticed immediately and slowed his steps. "What's wrong?"
She shook her head. "Nothing. I'm fine."
He frowned. "Your shoulder. You're holding it."
"It's just a minor pain," Isabella said quickly. "Probably from hitting the door."
"Are you sure?" Julian asked.
"Yes," she replied, forcing steadiness into her voice. "Please don't worry about it."
He studied her face, clearly unconvinced, but said nothing more.
They continued down the corridor in silence.
By the time they returned to the hall, guests had already begun to arrive. The room was filling fast, not for Julian, but for Adrain. Friends, associates, people drawn by appearance and reputation. Julian stood among them like a stranger at his own wedding.
Isabella felt detached, as though she were watching everything from a distance.
The drinks were already being served. Laughter echoed through the hall. Everything looked perfect on the surface.
Too perfect.
They walked toward the altar without ceremony, taking their places as the murmurs slowly faded.
Isabella wondered how Adrain had gone to such lengths to stage something so empty. Every detail planned, every moment rehearsed, yet nothing felt real.
The doors opened again.
Elena entered with Sebastian.
Everyone stood.
The ceremony followed its course. Vows were spoken. Rings were exchanged. When it was time to seal it, Isabella and Julian hesitated, then shared a brief, awkward peck.
Applause followed.
Then Adrain stepped forward.
Adrain took the microphone from the officiant and grinned at the newlyweds. "Congratulations, you two. Now that you are officially married, I have a small gift for you."
Isabella and Julian exchanged confused glances. A "gift"? At this moment?
Adrain's smile widened. "Just sit tight and enjoy. It's something very special."
Suddenly, the hall went silent. The faint sound of a device turning on filled the room. Then a voice, unmistakably the stranger from that morning, began playing through the speakers.
Isabella froze. Every word of her conversation with the masked man, every detail of the deal, echoed around the hall. The guests turned, whispering, eyes wide with curiosity and confusion.
Her heart pounded. She looked at Julian, panic rising. He glanced at her, his expression unreadable.
This was it. She knew she had made a grave mistake.
The whispers grew louder as more people realized what was being played. Isabella's mind raced. Camilla, the masked stranger, the messages… everything. And now, Adrain had exposed it all, at her wedding, in front of everyone.
She wanted to sink into the floor. She wanted to disappear. Her chest tightened. The room spun. She had walked willingly into this trap, and now, there was no escape.