Chapter 26
In the back row. Sunglasses couldn’t hide the storm brewing beneath his skin. He looked wrecked. Unshaven. Haunted. He was watching me like I was the funeral he never attended. The love he murdered and still couldn’t bury.
And he had no idea. No idea three of Dominik’s men had red dots pointed at his chest. No idea one wrong move would turn him into an open casket.
But I said nothing. I let him suffer in silence.
Because that was mercy.
The vows began.”
Dominik took my hands, speaking with that deep, even voice that always made rooms go quiet.
“With this bond, I unite our families,” he said, eyes locked on mine. “Not to save you–but to stand beside the woman who doesn’t need saving.”
I smiled, slow and razor–sharp. “And I accept, not as your bride, but as your equal. You bring empire. I bring fire.”
Then-
Heels.
Clicking on marble. Oh, I expected it already. I knew she’ll came that’s why I told my men to let her in.}
I didn’t turn right away. I didn’t need to.”
Zoraya. Red dress. Veil low. Walking down my aisle like she belonged.”
Security hesitated. She moved with authority. Used an old access code. One Zeus had given her years ago. I looked at her finally. Tilted my chin, kept my smile razor–fine.
“Didn’t think you’d miss it,” I said coolly. “Welcome to my fairy tale.”}
Zoraya stopped mid–aisle. Her hands trembling slightly. Her face was pale under the veil. But her mouth twisted into that manic, delusional grin I knew all too well.
“You don’t deserve this,” she hissed. “You should’ve stayed dead. This was mine. He was mine.“}]
“No, darling,” I said softly. “He was never yours. You were just the warm body he used to drown in guilt.”}
She snapped. Pulled the gun. I anticipated it already.§
Time cracked.§
Then-
Bang.
The sound split the sky. But before the bullet met me–he did.
Zeus.
Out of nowhere, tackling me to the floor. The sound of impact, of flesh tearing, of breath stolen. His body landed on top of mine, shielding me. I felt the warmth spreading across my dress.
His blood.
Chaos. Screams. Shouts. Guns drawn.
I didn’t move. Didn’t scream. I just stared up at him. At the pain on his face. The twist of agony in his mouth.
“Even now,” I said softly, brushing his blood–matted hair from his face, “you throw yourself at me.”
He grunted, voice weak. “Couldn’t let her take what’s mine again.””
“You lost me long before she pulled the trigger.”}
He coughed, tried to laugh, but it came out wet. “I know. But I still dream about you. Every fucking night. Still wake up reaching for a ghost.”
I stayed kneeling beside him, hands steady, heart not even flinching.”
“You could’ve had a life with me. Instead, you buried it. Twice.“}
“I know I fucked up,” he said, groaning. “But I’d bleed for you. I just did. Isn’t that enough?“”
“No,” I whispered. “It’s just poetic.”
Behind me, Zoraya was laughing. Wild. Broken. Ripped apart by the chaos she started.
“You’re mine, Zeus!” she screamed, fighting against guards. “I ruined her! I won! You hear me?! I won!”
Dominik stepped forward, calm as sin, gun in hand, ready to end it. But I raised my hand.
“Don’t.” He blinked. Surprised. “Let her rot,” I said, standing slow, smoothing the blood–stained silk of my dress. “I want her to live long enough to see what mercy looks like when it chooses not to kill.”
Zoraya screamed again, her voice shrill, insane. “I’ll come back! I’ll ruin this all! You think you’re safe?! You’re nothing, Savannah! You’re nothing without him!”
I turned, met her eyes one last time.
“I built empires while you played house with a broken man. You can have his guilt. I’ll take the crown.”
de Rejected Me, Married My Arnoted the
10:19 AM
Then I walked back to the altar. Blood was still warm on my hands when the guards descended on her.>
Zoraya screamed like a banshee, dress soaked, mouth frothing with rage. The red silk she wore clung to her body like a second skin, but all I could see was madness. Betrayal. Unfinished business.”
Dominik didn’t blink. Two of his men pinned her, the butt of a rifle to her back as they forced her to her knees.}
“You’re all traitors!” she spat, wild–eyed. “You think you’ve won? You’ll regret this!”
I didn’t even turn. I just stood there, tall in my blood–stained gown, veil thrown back like a crown of war.
“Take her to the cellar,” I said quietly, eyes on the priest who had frozen mid–prayer. “Chain her. No marks on the face. I want her awake for the rest.”
Dominik stepped to my side, voice like cold steel behind velvet.}
“No sedatives,” he told his men. “I want her to feel every second.“)
Zoraya shrieked as they dragged her across the marble. Her heels scuffed. Her arm wrenched behind her back. Her hair fell in limp curls, strands sticking to her face as she thrashed. But even then–her eyes never left me.
“You think you’re untouchable?” she shouted. “You think this is over?! I know things, Savannah! Secrets! You and me, we go way back!“}]
I paused. Not because I cared. But because she said it in that voice. That tone.
“We were friends once!” she howled. “Remember the cockroach girl? The girl in the alley. That was me! I’m her! I’m Leslie!“}
I stopped mid–step. Slowly, I turned.”
My eyes locked on her as they held her down.}
“..Leslie?” I repeated. My voice barely above a whisper.
She smiled then. Abroken, deranged smile. Hair in her mouth. Blood at the edge of her lips.
“Yes,” she said, almost gleeful. “That’s right. Leslie. You gave me bread. You and I were frinds. You said I deserved better.“}
I tilted my head. Felt my mouth flatten into something unreadable.
“And you turned into this?” I asked coldly. “You used that kindness to crawl into my life like a parasite.”
She giggled now. Actually giggled.
“You didn’t recognize me, did you? That’s the best part. I became your shadow. Watched you from the sidelines. Waited. And then Zeus- he gave me everything you took for granted.“}
I walked closer, slow and deliberate.
“Everything I took for granted?” I repeated. “You mean the lies? The betrayal? The man who couldn’t even tell the difference between guilt and love?”
She blinked.
“I would’ve died for him-“0
“You nearly did, sweetheart,” I cut her off sharply. “And now look at you. In chains. In rags. Covered in a man’s blood who still looked at me when he took a bullet.”
She thrashed again.
“I’m Leslie!” she screamed. “I was your friend! I loved you!”
“You stalked me,” I said calmly. “You slept with my man! You set fire to my name, then wore it like a mask.“}
Zoraya–or Leslie, whatever name her madness clung to–bared her teeth.
“You still can’t stand it, can you?” she spat. “That he touched me. That he held me. That he chose me…”
I stared at her. And then I leaned in, lips close to her ear.
