This wasn’t supposed to happen.
I wasn’t supposed to be here.
The priest’s voice drifted through the cathedral, but I barely heard it over the roaring in my ears.
This was a mistake.
A terrible, irreversible mistake.
But there was no turning back.
And then, the words that sealed my fate fell from the priest’s lips.
"You may now kiss the bride."
My breath hitched.
Duke turned to me, his expression softening.
His hands reached out.
This was it.
I had lied my way to this moment.
And now… now I had to kiss him.
Loud shouts erupted from outside the church. My eyes widened as muffled chaos stirred beyond the grand doors.
A rally.
A PROTEST.
On my wedding day.
But why?
And then—just as Duke’s lips brushed against mine
A loud gunshot rang through the air.
I barely had time to react before Duke’s lips crashed against mine.
My breath caught in my throat as his firm grip settled on my waist, pulling me closer. His lips were warm, demanding, yet controlled, as if he were claiming what was already his. My entire body tensed, my hands hovering midair, unsure whether to push him away or play my part.
I chose the latter.
Slowly, I placed my hands on his chest, feeling the steady rhythm of his heartbeat beneath my trembling fingers. The heat from his body seeped through his crisp suit, making my skin prickle. The cheers from the crowd grew louder, their applause ringing in my ears, drowning out the frantic thoughts racing through my mind.
This was it.
I had sealed my fate.
Just as Duke pulled away, a loud commotion erupted outside the church doors. My heart lurched. The muffled sound of angry shouts grew louder, overlapping with the excited murmurs of the guests. I turned my head instinctively, trying to see what was happening beyond the stained-glass windows.
Then, a gunshot.
A deafening crack that made the chandeliers tremble.
Screams followed, panicked and urgent. Guests started shifting uneasily in their seats, some already standing, whispering in alarm.
I barely had time to process what was happening before my feet moved on their own. I stepped away from Duke, my pulse thundering as I made my way toward the entrance, but before I could take another step, a firm grip closed around my wrist.
Duke.
“Don’t,” he said, his voice low, filled with authority.
I turned to him, my pulse hammering against my ribs. "Someone just fired a gun, Duke. I need to—"
“It’s dangerous,” he cut me off. “Stay here.”