The morning sun streamed through the glass chapel, painting golden lines over white roses and polished marble. The orchestra played softly, violins weaving melodies that were meant to sound like love.
Every seat was filled. Cameras flashed. Reporters whispered. The city's elite waited for perfection the union of two powerful names, Whitford and Laurent.
And in the middle of it all stood Isabelle, dressed in the same gown that had made her feel like a stranger to herself.
The air was too heavy. The walls too close.
Her veil blurred her vision, and beneath it, her fingers shook as she gripped her bouquet.
She could feel everyone's eyes on her the envy, the admiration, the scrutiny. She told herself to breathe, to smile, to play her role one last time.
But her heart was somewhere else.
Somewhere in the rain-soaked memory of Sebastian Kane's voice whispering, You don't have to do this.
Daniel stood at the altar, perfect as always every strand of blond hair in place, his designer suit crisp, his jaw set in quiet confidence.
To the world, he looked like a man in love.
But Isabelle could see the truth in his eyes cold distance, impatience, calculation.
When she reached him, he didn't even touch her hand. He simply nodded at the priest to begin.
She tried not to flinch.
"Dearly beloved," the priest began, "we are gathered here today to celebrate the union of"
The words faded into background noise. Her pulse roared in her ears. She felt like she was underwater, watching her own life unfold through glass.
Halfway through the ceremony, the priest smiled kindly. "Now, if anyone knows of any reason why these two should not be joined in holy matrimony, speak now or forever hold your peace."
The crowd chuckled softly no one ever spoke at that line.
Except this time, someone did.
"I do."
The voice was clear. Sharp. Male.
Gasps rippled through the room. Cameras turned.
Daniel froze. Isabelle turned, her heart slamming against her ribs and saw him.
Sebastian Kane.
Standing at the back of the chapel, dark suit immaculate, expression unreadable.
The murmurs rose instantly.
"Is that Kane?"
"Daniel's rival?"
"What's he doing here?"
The priest blinked in shock. "Sir, this is highly irregular"
"I have a reason," Sebastian said, his tone cold, controlled. "The groom is already in a relationship with another woman. He's been unfaithful."
The entire room erupted.
Isabelle's knees nearly buckled.
"Sebastian" she whispered, but her voice drowned in chaos.
Daniel's face drained of color, then darkened. "This is ridiculous," he snapped, stepping forward. "You think you can walk in here and destroy my wedding with your lies?"
Sebastian's jaw tightened. "Lies? Should I show them the photos, Daniel?"
A murmur of horror spread through the crowd.
The priest looked helpless. Isabelle stood frozen in place, bouquet trembling in her hands.
Daniel turned to her, his mask cracking for the first time. "Isabelle, don't listen to him. He's trying to ruin us."
Her voice broke. "Is it true?"
His silence was answer enough.
Her world tilted. The chapel blurred around her. She wanted to scream, to run, but her legs wouldn't move.
"Tell them!" she demanded, her voice shaking. "Tell them he's lying!"
But Daniel just looked at her and for a split second, she saw it. The guilt. The fear. The truth.
And then he did something no one expected.
He laughed.
A low, bitter sound that echoed through the stunned crowd. "You want the truth? Fine. Yes, Isabelle. I was with someone else. And you know why? Because this" he gestured around them, it is nothing but a business deal. You knew that. Don't act like you're the victim now."
Gasps filled the chapel. Someone dropped a glass.
Isabelle's heart stopped.
"You're humiliating me," she whispered.
He sneered. "You did that yourself when you thought I'd actually love you."
Her hand shook, and the bouquet slipped from her grasp, scattering white petals across the floor.
Her father, pale with horror, rose from his seat. "Daniel, that's enough"
"Enough?" Daniel said, voice sharp. "You should thank me, Charles. Without this marriage, you'd still be drowning in debt. Maybe you should've taught your daughter what loyalty means."
Tears welled in Isabelle's eyes, but before she could speak, Sebastian's voice cut through the noise like a blade.
"Watch your mouth."
Every head turned as he strode down the aisle slow, deliberate, dangerous.
"Don't you dare blame her for your failures," Sebastian said, stopping mere feet from Daniel. "You're a coward."
Daniel's eyes flashed. "You think you can come into my wedding and"
He didn't finish the sentence. Sebastian's fist met his jaw before anyone could move.
Gasps echoed again.
"Sebastian!" Isabelle cried out.
Daniel stumbled back, blood at the corner of his mouth, eyes blazing. "You'll pay for this."
"No," Sebastian said coldly. "You already did."
Security rushed forward, guests shouted, and chaos erupted. Cameras flashed wildly as reporters recorded the entire scandal live.
And in the middle of it all, Isabelle stood trembling her perfect wedding crumbling into ruin before her eyes.
Minutes later, she was outside, her gown dragging through puddles, her makeup streaked with tears. The sound of paparazzi still echoed behind her.
"Miss Laurent! Miss Laurent! Is it true your fiancé cheated?"
"Who is Sebastian Kane to you?"
"Are you leaving the Whitfords' estate for good?"
She couldn't answer. Couldn't breathe.
Her chest felt crushed as she pushed through the crowd, desperate to escape.
A black car pulled up beside her. The door opened, and Sebastian stepped out, face grim.
"Get in," he said.
"I can't." Her voice cracked. "I can't be seen with you."
"You already were," he replied quietly. "They'll twist this however they want. Let me take you away before they tear you apart."
Tears burned her eyes. "You shouldn't have come."
"I wasn't going to let him destroy you."
"I was already destroyed," she whispered.
He stared at her for a moment, then opened the door again. "Then let me help you put yourself back together."
Something inside her broke the last shred of resistance, maybe. Slowly, she climbed in.
They drove in silence for a long time. The city blurred past, a haze of lights and rain. Isabelle sat rigid in the seat, fingers gripping the fabric of her gown.
Finally, Sebastian spoke. "You don't have to go back there. Not tonight."
"I don't have anywhere else to go."
"Yes, you do."
She turned her head, eyes red. "And where would that be?"
He met her gaze. "My place."
She almost laughed a hollow sound. "That's not appropriate."
"Neither was what happened today."
She looked out the window, voice trembling. "They'll destroy me in the press. My father's reputation is gone. I'm finished."
"No," he said firmly. "You're free."
Her throat tightened. "Free? You think this is freedom?"
"Yes," he said softly. "Because now, you have nothing left to lose."
His words cut through the chaos, through the pain. And for the first time that day, Isabelle let herself breathe.
When they reached his penthouse, the city lights shimmered through floor-to-ceiling windows. It was quiet there too quiet after the storm she'd just endured.
He handed her a towel, his voice gentle. "You should change. I'll have someone bring clothes."
She shook her head. "You don't have to do this."
"I know," he said, stepping closer. "But I want to."
Something fragile flickered between them not passion, not yet, but something raw and real.
She sank onto the couch, burying her face in her hands. "I don't even know who I am anymore."
He knelt in front of her, taking her trembling hands in his. "You're Isabelle Laurent," he said quietly. "The strongest woman I've ever met. And you're going to rise from this. I'll make sure of it."
Her tears spilled freely now, silent and unguarded.
"Why are you doing this for me?" she whispered.
His thumb brushed away a tear. "Because I couldn't stand there and watch you break."
Their eyes met and for a heartbeat, the world fell away.
That night, while the tabloids exploded with headlines about the "Whitford Wedding Scandal," Isabelle lay awake in Sebastian's guest room, staring at the ceiling.
The world thought she was ruined.
Maybe she was.
But for the first time in her life, she wasn't pretending anymore.
And deep down, in the quiet darkness of Sebastian Kane's home, a new truth began to form fragile, forbidden, and undeniable.
Her story with him wasn't over.
It was only just beginning.