Emily Carter stood at the entrance of the grand hall, her fingers tightening around the invitation card.
Her name was gone.
Inside, the music was soft, the lights warm, and laughter filled the air.
It looked perfect.
Too perfect.
At the center of it all stood the groom—
Her fiancé.
Dressed in a tailored suit, smiling as he held another woman's hand.
Not hers.
Her best friend's.
Emily's heart didn't break.
It went silent.
Like something inside her had simply… stopped.
This was supposed to be her wedding.
Her future.
Her life.
And now, she was nothing more than a guest watching it being stolen.
A faint smile touched her lips.
Cold. Empty.
"Congratulations," she whispered to no one.
Then she turned.
One step.
Two—
A black luxury car stopped in front of her.
The window slid down slowly.
A man sat inside.
Sharp jawline. Dark eyes. A presence that demanded attention.
Dangerous.
Controlled.
Unreachable.
His gaze locked onto hers.
"Do you need a husband?" he asked.
Emily froze.
And somehow—
That question felt more real than everything inside that hall.