Rest? I had spent my entire life resting — resting my dreams, resting my voice, resting my worth.
I turned to face my parents, my smile never wavering.
"Why, Father? Why, Mother? You all forced me into this marriage. I didn't want it, but I accepted it. Now that Jayden has humiliated me in front of everyone, you're asking me to back down?"
I glanced back at Jayden. His face was twisted with satisfaction, thinking he'd won.
Not today.
I gathered the hem of my white gown and stepped down from the altar. My heels clicked against the marble floor as I wandered through the crowd, ignoring the frantic whispers and the hands that reached out to stop me.
I needed two minutes — that's all.
Jayden's angry voice followed me.
"Mother, see? This is the girl you wanted me to marry! She's a lunatic!"
A bitter chuckle escaped my lips. He had no idea who he was dealing with.
Minutes passed. The whispers grew louder, the tension thicker.
Then I returned.
With him.
Gasps echoed through the hall. My veil was pulled down over my face, my makeup touched up as if the disaster from earlier had never happened. The man beside me towered over everyone — sharp suit, cold gaze, an air of danger wrapped around him like a cloak.
Bodyguards trailed behind us, separating my family from the altar.
My mother screamed, tears streaming down her face. My father tried to step forward, but the guards blocked his path.
"Marina, please! Don't do this!"
I swallowed the lump rising in my throat, pushing down the ache in my chest. I couldn't afford to break now.
The man beside me caught me just as I almost slipped. His strong hands steadied me, his dark eyes meeting mine.
"Thank you..." I whispered, more to myself than him.
He didn't reply — just nodded and led me back to the altar.
Jayden stumbled to the side, his mouth hanging open as if the wind had been knocked out of him.
"Thank you, everyone, for waiting," I announced, my voice calm. "The wedding will proceed as planned."
The priest's hands trembled as he opened his book, glancing nervously at my parents.
I could feel my mother's sobs behind me, hear Jayden's furious curses — but none of it mattered.
The priest cleared his throat.
"What is your name, sir?"
"Aiden Wellington." His voice was low and steady.
I didn't know him — not really. But none of that mattered either.
"Aiden Wellington, do you take Marina Jones as your lawfully wedded wife—"
"I do."
The words came without hesitation.
"Marina Jones, do you take Aiden Wellington—"
"Yes, I do."
Gasps filled the hall.
Tears burned at the back of my eyes, but I forced them down. This wasn't about love. It was about power — about taking back every shred of dignity they tried to strip from me.
"I hereby proclaim you man and wife."
"You may kiss the bride."
Aiden's cold eyes flicked toward me, but I shook my head.
"We'll save that for the bedroom, Father."
I turned to the crowd, my smile stretching wider.
Let them call me crazy. Let them whisper behind my back.
Because for the first time in my life...
I was finally free.
A bright smile hung on my lips, unwavering despite the chaos that had unfolded just moments ago. I turned to the priest, my expression filled with mischief.
"We will save that for the bedroom, sir. We cannot do that here," I teased, the corners of my lips curling playfully.
The priest's face turned crimson, and the hushed murmurs in the crowd turned into stunned silence.
I clapped my hands together, addressing the sea of shocked guests before me. "Thank you, everyone, for coming and being witnesses to this beautiful union. I sincerely appreciate you all from the bottom of my heart. Thank you for the gifts and blessings too." I paused, my eyes glinting with amusement. "Hopefully, in a year, you will all hear news of my baby."
Gasps. Whispers. Scandalized expressions.
The uproar was music to my ears.
I gestured toward the doors, my voice light and cheerful. "Now, you can open the doors. Everyone, please leave. The wedding is over."
I hurried them along, a bright excitement twinkling in my eyes. Some people were too stunned to move, while others were already making their way out, whispering to one another in disbelief.
Then, I felt his presence before I even turned to look at him.
Jayden.
He stormed toward me, his face a mask of pure rage. "Marina! Are you insane?! What did you just do?"
His voice was sharp, demanding, but I barely flinched.
"You married someone else on our wedding day? How dare you?!" he roared, fists clenched at his sides.
I slowly turned my gaze to him, amusement flickering in my eyes. "I don't know you," I said, my tone mockingly sweet. "I only have one groom, and his name is Aiden Wellington. If you have a problem with that, then you can leave too."
"The wedding is over, after all."
Jayden's face twisted in rage. His hands trembled. His entire body radiated fury.
"Youuuuu...!" He gritted his teeth, his face turning red with barely contained anger. "Youuuu... How dare you—"
And then, he raised his hand.
The moment felt like it stretched for eternity. His fingers curled into a fist, his arm tensed, and I saw it all—his burning humiliation, his shattered ego, his desperation to reclaim control.
He wanted to hit me.
"NO! STOP IT!"
"Don't you dare hit her!" My mother's voice rang out, her panicked scream piercing through the air.
"Jayden, that's enough!"
"Jayden, son, stop this madness!" Mrs. Wellington shouted, her voice laced with disappointment.
I stood there, staring him down, unwavering. If he thought I would cower, he was mistaken. Let him try. Let him dare.
Jayden brought his hand closer, his rage consuming him. But before his palm could even graze my skin—
A hand shot out from the side, gripping his wrist in an iron hold.
"What do you think you're doing?"
Aiden's voice was calm. Too calm. But the fire in his tone was undeniable.
Jayden let out a strangled cry, his face twisting in pain. "Ahhh! Let go of my hand!"