Chapter 1
Alina Bennett stared at herself in the mirror and tried not to cry.
Not because she was sad.
Not because she was scared.
But because after years of heartbreak, disappointment, and wondering if she would ever find her forever person, today was finally here.
Today, she was getting married.
The white satin dress hugged her body perfectly. Tiny pearls decorated the sleeves, and the long veil flowed down her back like a waterfall. It looked exactly like the dress she’d pinned to her wedding inspiration board three years ago.
Maybe even better.
A soft knock sounded at the bridal suite door.
“Ali?”
She smiled immediately.
“Come in.”
The door opened, and her best friend, Chloe, stepped inside carrying two champagne glasses.
The sight of Alina made her stop.
“Oh my God.”
Alina laughed.
“What?”
“You look ridiculous.”
Her smile dropped.
“What?”
Chloe rolled her eyes.
“Ridiculously beautiful, idiot.”
Alina let out a breath and placed a hand over her chest.
“You almost gave me a heart attack. You are evil. Shit!”
“Good. Maybe it’ll stop you from crying.”
“I’m not crying.”
“You’ve been crying since breakfast.”
“I have emotions.”
“You have waterproof mascara. Use it.”
Both women laughed.
Chloe handed her a glass.
“To the future Mrs. Cross.”
Alina looked at the sparkling drink.
Mrs. Cross.
It still felt strange.
A year ago, she would’ve laughed if someone told her she’d be married today.
Life had a funny way of surprising people.
She raised her glass.
“To love.”
They clinked glasses.
For a moment, everything felt perfect.
Safe.
Certain.
Exactly as it should be.
“Are you nervous?” Chloe asked.
“A little.”
“Cold feet?”
Alina shook her head immediately.
“No.”
“Not even a little?”
“No.”
And she meant it.
She loved Ethan.
Maybe not in the reckless way she had once loved someone else.
But she loved him.
Ethan was steady.
Reliable.
Kind.
He remembered birthdays.
He brought flowers for no reason.
He called her every night before bed.
He made her feel chosen.
After everything she’d been through, that mattered.
A lot.
“You know,” Chloe said carefully, “I never thought you’d trust someone again.”
Alina’s smile faded slightly.
She knew exactly who Chloe was talking about.
Zayne.
Even after five years, hearing his name in her head still stung.
Her first love.
Her biggest heartbreak.
The man who had vanished from her life without warning.
No goodbye.
No explanation.
Nothing.
One day they were planning a future.
The next day he was gone.
Just gone.
For months she had waited for a text.
A phone call.
Anything.
Nothing ever came.
Eventually she had been forced to accept the truth.
He didn’t love her enough to stay or the prick was dead, Who knew?
“Let’s not talk about him today,” Alina said quietly.
Chloe immediately nodded.
“Sorry.”
“It’s okay.”
The wound wasn’t as deep as it used to be.
At least that’s what she told herself.
A knock interrupted them.
A wedding coordinator peeked inside.
“It’s time.”
Alina’s stomach flipped.
Time.
This was really happening.
The coordinator smiled warmly.
“Everyone is waiting.”
Chloe squeezed her hand.
“You ready?”
Alina looked at herself one final time.
The dress.
The veil.
The bouquet.
The engagement ring sparkling on her finger.
Everything she’d dreamed about.
Everything she’d worked toward.
Everything she’d hoped for.
“Yeah,” she whispered.
“I’m ready.”
The church was beautiful.
White roses lined the aisle.
Golden sunlight streamed through stained-glass windows.
Soft music floated through the air.
As soon as the doors opened, every guest stood.
A collective gasp filled the room.
Alina’s cheeks warmed.
Her father offered his arm.
“You look beautiful, sweetheart.”
“Thanks, Dad.”
His eyes glistened.
“Your mother would be so proud.”
Emotion tightened her throat.
“I miss her.”
“So do I.”
He kissed her forehead.
Then the music swelled.
The doors opened wider.
And together they stepped inside.
The aisle suddenly felt a mile long.
Rows of smiling faces looked back at her.
Family.
Friends.
Coworkers.
People she loved.
But her attention found only one person.
Ethan.
Standing at the altar.
Waiting for her.
His face lit up the moment he saw her.
Tears gathered in his eyes.
Real tears.
The sight nearly broke her.
God.
He loved her.
The realization settled warmly inside her chest.
Maybe fairy tales weren’t fake after all.
Maybe sometimes people really did find their happily ever after.
Step.
Step.
Step.
Each footfall brought her closer.
Closer to her future.
Closer to forever.
When she finally reached the altar, Ethan took both her hands.
“You are breathtaking.”
She laughed softly.
“You clean up nice too.”
His grin widened.
The priest smiled.
“We are gathered here today to celebrate the union of Ethan Cross and Alina Bennett...”
The ceremony began.
Everything felt dreamlike.
Beautiful.
Perfect.
Exactly right.
Alina barely noticed the minutes passing.
She was too focused on Ethan.
Too focused on the life they were about to build together.
The priest eventually reached the final part.
The part everyone waited for.
He looked toward the crowd.
“If anyone objects to this union, speak now or forever hold your peace.”
Silence.
A few guests chuckled.
Alina smiled.
Of course nobody objected.
Why would they?
Then it happened.
A deafening crash exploded through the church.
The massive wooden doors burst inward. Splinters flew from behind the hinges from the impact. It was a wonder the doors were still standing.
Screams filled the room.
Guests jumped to their feet.
Alina’s heart stopped.
Five men dressed in black stormed inside.
And every single one of them was carrying a gun.
The leader raised his weapon.
His voice echoed through the church.
“Nobody move.”
The bouquet slipped from Alina’s trembling fingers.
And suddenly, her perfect day became a nightmare.
