Chapter 9
I met Travis when I was eighteen. He begged my mom to give him lessons–wouldn’t let up until she said yes.
That was the first time life had started to feel a little lighter.
My mother had fallen seriously ill from years of hardship and betrayal. And Travis… he ran around day and night for the both of us. He even hired a top–tier international medical team to create a custom treatment for her.
For a long time, I kept my feelings for him buried deep. I didn’t dare accept his love.
But he pursued me for three whole years–relentless.
The day I finally said yes, he picked me up and spun me around like a kid on Christmas morning. He was that happy.
Knock knock.
The makeup artist peeked in. “Miss Whitman, it’s time to change into your wedding dress.”
The moment I stepped into the gown, a butterfly landed softly on my shoulder.
My eyes filled with tears. “Mom… is that you?”
Julian appeared quietly behind me, his fingers lacing through mine. “It’s her. She came to bless us.
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Then, turning to the butterfly, he said with genuine warmth, “Thank you for coming. I promise–I’ll take good care of Elise.”
The butterfly circled around us again and again before finally fluttering out the window.
I watched through teary eyes as it drifted farther and farther away. Julian gave my shoulder a gentle pat.
“Easy there, you’re smudging your makeup. You’ll scare our guests looking like a raccoon.”
My voice trembled. “Is he here?”
Julian’s face darkened as he nodded.
“Elise…”
He hesitated, but I cut him off.
“Julian, this is something I need to handle myself.”
He smiled faintly, understanding in his eyes. “I know. I just don’t want you getting hurt.”
As Julian and I walked hand–in–hand toward the ceremony, Travis shot up from the crowd.
“Elise?! What the hell–why is it you?!”
He pushed his way toward me, trying to grab my hand. “You’re my wife! You can’t marry someone else! Did he force you? Come with me!”
I pulled my hand away with a soft laugh.
“Mr. Langley. Long time no see.”
His eyes went wide. “What… what did you just call me?”
Still smiling, I–repeated it. “Mr. Langley.”
Before he could say another word, I added with a mocking tone, “Congratulations, by the way. Two brides, right? Must be exhausting juggling them, and yet here you are at our wedding. I’m honored.”
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Julian stepped between us calmly. “Mr. Langley, would you kindly step aside? The ceremony is about to begin.”
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One of Julian’s security team moved swiftly to escort Travis back to his seat.
Even as he was led away, Travis couldn’t take his eyes off me. “Elise! This wasn’t real, remember? The marriage was fake. You can’t marry him!”
I laughed coldly. “Didn’t you sign the divorce papers with your own hand, Mr. Langley?”
“And I assume the official documents have arrived by now. So no–there’s nothing between us anymore. And even if there were… it’d be
war.”
“You don’t get to act like I belong to you. What–just because you’re you, I can’t marry someone else?”
Travis struggled against the security guards, desperate to get to the stage.
That’s when Mr. and Mrs. Langley–his parents–finally showed up and grabbed hold of him.
“Travis, not here. This is the Hart family’s event. You cause a scene now, there will be consequences. We’ll figure things out once it’s all
over.”
“We can’t afford to offend the Harts.”
So Travis could only watch–watch as I looked into Julian’s eyes and said, “I do.”
Watch as I slipped the ring on Julian’s finger.
Watch as he kissed me in front of everyone.
His eyes turned red with fury.
Mine glistened–with something close to joy.
But not enough. Not nearly enough.
After the wedding, Julian surprised me with a six–month honeymoon itinerary.
I stared at him, stunned. “Most people take a few weeks. You planned half a year?”
He grinned, casual and confident. “I just want to take you somewhere quiet for a while. You’ve always said you wanted to travel”
Tears welled up again in my eyes.
Chapter 9
