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Chapter 7
I shoved him aside, grabbed my suitcase, and walked away–never once looking back.
Behind me, I barely caught his whisper–soft, pained, almost unwilling to part.
“Safe travels, Vivienne…”
Sebastian didn’t move until my figure disappeared beyond the security gate.
Only then did he press a hand to his chest and turn away, his face pale and drawn.
He didn’t know why,
But something inside him felt violently ripped apart-
Like a whip cracking across his ribs, the sting refusing to fade.
He told himself it was guilt.
He’d promised Vivienne he’d protect b
Yet he hadn’t stopped her from flying to Castalia–let her walk into a life she wasn’t built for.
Still… what else could he have done?
Because no matter what,
Helena–Helena Whitmore–had always been the one.
His childhood vow. His chosen future.
That would never change.
He frowned, pulling out his phone.
No messages.
Still mad, then.
Helena hadn’t replied to him since the incident.
But it didn’t matter.
Tonight was their wedding.
The one Helena had waited for her whole life. She’d be happy.
Comforted by the thought, Sebastian turned and headed back to the hotel.
www
The wedding was extravagant, exactly the kind of opulence you’d expect from a union between the Whitmores and the Lowells.
Richard had gone all out, renting the entire venue.
The board. The extended family. Every last name that mattered was in attendance.
Elegant piano notes floated through the air as the ceremony began.
Sebastian stood at the front, watching the grand doors slowly open.
Richard Whitmore strolled in, beaming with pride, holding his daughter’s hand.
And then—he saw her.
Vivienne Hale.
Chapter 7
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Dressed in white lace, glowing with pride, smiling like she’d won.
Sebastian froze.
A chill raced up his spine, locking his body in place.
Vivienne?
What the hell was Vivienne doing here?
Then–who the hell had he let walk away at the airport?
He didn’t want to believe it, but the truth hit with ruthless finality:
It hadn’t been Vivienne who left that morning. It was Helena.
They had switched places–and he’d let her go.
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