Chapter-4: The Stranger at the Altar

Zoya's heartbeat pounded like a war drum in her chest.

The grand wedding hall was breathtaking- chandeliers glowed above, soft music played in the background, and scents of fresh roses lingered in the air. It was a ceremony fit for royalty, a picture perfect event designed for the cameras.

But none of it mattered.

Zoya's fingers curled around the bouquet, her grip tightening with each step toward the altar.

Her world had just flipped upside down.

Her breath hitched as she looked up at the man waiting for her at the altar.

Kalix Volkov.

The same man she had met at London bridge just last night.

Her mind raced back to the feeling encounter. The mysterious stranger who had leaned against the railing, the one with sharp look and sharper gaze.

Shock rippled through her, but she swallowed it down, forcing her expression to remain unreadable. He doesn't know. I looked different last night- no makeup, dressed in casual clothes and hairs were undone. He wouldn't possibly recognize me, she thought.

She took final step forward.

Kalix extended his hands toward her.

Zoya hesitated. For just a second.

But that was enough for Kalix to notice.

She placed her hands in his. His grip was warm, firm. For fleeting moment, she felt something strange- a jolt, a shift in the air between them.

"You look…" Kalix's voice was smooth, teasing, dipping just a little lower. "Surprised."

Zoya's fingers tensed slightly in his grasp. Does he know?

But she quickly forced a small, polite smile. "Not at all."

Kalix tilted his head slightly, as if he didn't believe her. As if he enjoyed watching her lie.

The ceremony continued, each vow spoken with perfect precision. The rings slid onto their fingers. Everything felt like a performance- because it was.

And then came the moment Zoya had been dreading.

"The Groom may now kiss the Bride," the officiant announced.

Zoya stiffened.

A kiss? In front of everyone? With this stranger who was suddenly her husband?

She barely had a time to process it before Kalix shifted beside her.

Her breath hitched as he leaned in.

But instead of claiming her lips, his hands came upto her cheek, his fingers barely grazing her skin. And then_

A kiss.

But not where everyone expected.

His lips pressed against her forehead.

A murmur rippled through the crowd- surprise, admiration, even curiosity. But all Zoya could feel was the warmth of his lips on her skin.

And the way her heart had just betrayed her with a single skipped beat.

She exhaled willing herself to stay composed.

Kalix pulled away, his smirk barely visible. He knew exactly what he had done.

He had avoided making her uncomfortable, yet somehow, he had still won.

After the wedding

After the wedding, when Grace spotted Zoya alone. She stepped in front of her, breath catching in her throat. "Zoya... I'm sorry. I failed you. I failed you as well."

Zoya's expression remained impassive, her gaze cold. "It's too late for that."

Grace's eyes filled with unspoken sorrow, but her words were steady. "I should've protected you both."

Zoya didn't respond, only turned her back and walked away.