Chapter 14

Hailey stood in front of the ornate mirror, the final touches being applied to her hair and makeup. Dressed in a stunning white gown that flowed like ocean waves, she felt like a goddess. This was the day she had envisioned since childhood, every detail meticulously planned. Today, she would marry Ace, the love of her life, and seal a promise of forever. But as she stepped out of her dressing room, laughter drifted down the hallway, pulling her attention.

It was Ace's voice, jovial and warm. Hailey paused, her heart swelling with affection, until she overheard something that froze her in place."Are you sure he'll be fine with all of us attending?" a woman giggled. "Of course! He loves us all dearly," another voice chimed in.

Hailey's heart sank like a stone. She leaned closer, hearing the unmistakable voices of three women—each one introduced to her as Ace's friends or acquaintances during their courtship. Friends did not laugh and talk about their affection for a man about to marry. A wave of disbelief washed over her. Stomach twisting, she stepped back, her mind racing.

No, this couldn't be what it sounded like. Ace wouldn't do this to her. They had shared whispered dreams and soft promises, hadn't they? Yet the laughter of those women stirred a reality she couldn't ignore. The unmistakable truth of a polygamous marriage hung in the air. Heartbroken, she turned and fled down the hallway, not wanting to be seen, not wanting the day she had strived for to be tainted. Her breath came in rapid gasps as she pushed through the side door and out into the cool, vibrant day.

The ceremony began, and Ace stood at the altar, smiling and anticipating her arrival. Minutes ticked by, and the worried murmur of guests began to rise. Where was she?Meanwhile, Hailey found refuge in a secluded park nearby, the ground littered with crisp autumn leaves. As she sank onto a bench, hot tears streamed down her cheeks, her heart shattered.

The sound of hurried footsteps approached, and she looked up to see Christian—her fiancé's stepbrother—looming over her. Christian had always been cold, keeping his distance since Hailey and Ace had gotten serious. It was a peculiar rivalry that held a tense tension. She glanced away, shame flooding her chest as she wiped her tears.

"What are you doing here?" she croaked, the accusation intended but wavering under the weight of her grief. "I could ask you the same," he replied, his voice sharp but strangely softening at the edges.

The harsh lines of his features relaxed as he sat beside her, concern eclipsing the hardened exterior he wore like armor. He glanced over at her, his blue eyes boring into hers, as though attempting to unravel her pain. "I... I saw him with them. He... he didn't tell me," she stammered, collapsing into a river of sobs.

She rested her head on his shoulder, instinctively seeking comfort. Christian's body tensed initially, but soon he felt the warmth of her weight settle against him. For a brief moment, he hesitated, wrestling with instinct to pull away and his growing desire to hold her close. He had never been the one to offer solace, but the sight of her brokenness stirred something deep and unfamiliar.

"Hailey..." he began, his voice low. "I'm sorry. I'm so sorry you had to find out like this. "She pulled away slightly, enough to meet his gaze. "You too must think so little of me, all this time...""No, that's not it," he interrupted gently, his eyes softening. "I just—I was hoping Ace would keep things honest. I didn't know about them either. I... I thought you two were happy." A moment hung between them, charged and electric.

The world around them faded to silence as if they were the only two people left on earth. With the shared vulnerability surrounding them, something unexpected happened.Emotions flared, igniting a connection that neither understood. Christian leaned closer, cupping her face with a gentle hand, his thumb brushing across her cheek, wiping away her tears.

"Can I kiss you?" he whispered, the air thick with unacknowledged craving. Hailey's heart raced in a dance of longing and fear. She nodded hesitantly, and as their lips met, a rush of warmth enveloped her. The kiss deepened, stolen yet sweet, awakening a flame within her she had never expected to spark.

But as quickly as it began, she pulled back, panic flooding her. "I can't—I shouldn't." She scrambled to her feet, instinctively yearning to escape this tangled web of emotions."Hailey, please, wait," Christian said, his voice firm yet gentle, gripping her wrist before she could run.

"You don't have to do this alone." Her heart raced with the pulse of conflict. She had fled from a broken promise only to find warmth in a cold place. Despite everything, amidst the heartache, she could feel the remnants of hope sparking between them as they stood in that sunlit park.