Xavier's pov
I felt an overwhelming surge of emotions I hadn't known I was capable of.
All the chaos around us faded into the background. Ashley's protests, the guests' whispers, and the officiant's stunned silence all became distant echoes. It was just her and me, bound by something far more powerful than any vow I could have taken at the altar.
I gently wiped away her tears, my thumb tracing the soft curve of her cheek. "What's your name?" I asked, my voice a mixture of urgency and
gentleness. "Danielle," she replied, her voice still trembling.
"Danielle," I repeated, savoring the way her name felt on my lips. "I'm sorry for this chaos, but I can't let you go. Not now, not ever."
Isabella looked around, clearly overwhelmed. "But... what about her?" She glanced back at Ashley, who was now being consoled by her father and a few guests.
"I... I never wanted this," I admitted, my gaze locking onto Isabella's. "This wedding was an obligation, a duty. But meeting you—finding you—changes everything. You're my mate, Danielle. Nothing else matters."
She hesitated, biting her lip. "What about everyone else? They'll never understand."
I took a deep breath, glancing back at the scene unfolding behind us. "They don't have to. This is about us. It's about fate, destiny—whatever you want to call it. But I can't ignore this bond. Can you?"
Danielle shook her head, her eyes glistening with fresh tears. "No, I can't.
I've felt this too, ever since I walked into the room. It's like... like I've known you my whole life."
I smiled, feeling a warmth spread through my chest. "Then let's go. We can explain later, but right now, we need to get out of here. Together."
I took her hand, feeling the electric connection between us. We turned and began to walk away, the murmurs of confusion and outrage growing louder behind us. But I didn't care. For the first time in my life, I felt like I was exactly where I was meant to be.
"Wait!" Ashley's voice cut through the noise, sharp and filled with hurt. "You can't just leave!"
I stopped, turning to face her. The pain in her eyes was unmistakable, and guilt gnawed at me. "Ashley, I'm sorry. Truly. But this... this isn't something I can ignore. I hope you can understand that one day."
She shook her head, tears streaming down her face. "How could you do this to me? To us?"
"I didn't plan for this," I said softly. "But I can't marry you knowing my mate is right here. It wouldn't be fair to either of us."
As we began to walk away, the murmurs of confusion and outrage growing louder behind us, I felt Ashley's presence before I saw her. She was like a storm gathering force, and I barely had time to react before she reached us. Her hand shot out, grabbing Danielle's arm with a vice-like grip and yanking her away from me.
"Ashley, stop!" I shouted, trying to step between them, but she was relentless.
"How dare you!" Ashley screamed, her face twisted with rage. "You think you can just waltz in here and steal my moment? My life? You're nothing but a pathetic, unwanted stepdaughter!"
Danielle winced, trying to pull free, but Ashley's grip was unyielding. "I didn't ask for any of this," Danielle said softly, her voice trembling.
"Of course you didn't," Ashley sneered. "You've always been the less loved, the unwanted burden. And now you think you can take what's mine? You
think just because he looks at you, you're worth something?"
"That's enough, Ashley!" I barked, my heart pounding in my chest. I reached
out, but Ashley's fury was a wall between us.
"Stay out of this!" Ashley shot back at me, her eyes blazing. "This isn't about you. This is about her. The girl who was never good enough, who
always had to live in my shadow. And now, she thinks she can just take my place"
Tears welled in Danielle's eyes, and my heart broke at the sight. "Ashley, this isn't her fault. This is something beyond us."
Ashley's laughter was bitter and cruel. "Beyond us? Don't give me that fate nonsense. She's a nobody, and she always will be. She's just a pathetic little girl who was never wanted."
I stepped forward, prying Ashley's hand from Danielle's arm. "Enough. This isn't right."
Ashley glared at me, her rage undiminished. "You're choosing her over me?
Fine. But don't think for a second this is over." She turned on her heel, leaving a trail of stunned silence in her wake.
Ashley turned to the guests, her voice ringing with a cruel, triumphant note.
"Listen up, everyone! Since Xavier seems to be confused about his choices, he'll have to take both me and Isabella into his house until he
makes up his mind!"
The audacity of her words sent a jolt of anger through me. The guests gasped and whispered among themselves, some looking shocked, others intrigued by the unfolding drama. My hands clenched into fists at my sides as I struggled to contain my fury.
"Ashley, you can't be serious," I growled, stepping toward her. "This isn't a game. You can't just dictate terms like that."
Ashley smirked, crossing her arms defiantly. "Oh, but I can. After all, you owe me that much, don't you? Or are you going to abandon your fiancée in
favor of a stepdaughter no one even cares about?"
Danielle flinched at Ashley's words, her face pale and her eyes brimming with unshed tears. The sight of her pain only fueled my anger further. "Youdon't get to decide this, Ashley," I said, my voice low and dangerous. "This is my life, my decision."
"Your decision?" Ashley mocked. "You can't even make a decision! One minute you're marrying me, the next you're running off with her. Clearly, you
need time to sort out your feelings. So, I'm giving you that time."
I took a deep breath, trying to rein in my temper. "This isn't about sorting out feelings. This is about respect, something you seem to have lost."
Ashley's eyes narrowed. "Respect? Don't talk to me about respect. You disrespected me the moment you looked at her and decided she was more important than our entire future together."
"This wedding was never about our future," I shot back. "It was about fulfilling an obligation. But meeting Isabella changed everything. You can't
force me into this."
"Oh, I think I can," Ashley said, her voice dripping with venom. "You owe me, Xavier. And until you figure out what you really want, we're both coming with you."
I turned to the guests, seeing the mixture of shock and curiosity on their faces. This spectacle was turning into a circus, and I was caught in the
middle of it. "Everyone, please," I began, trying to keep my voice steady. "This is a private matter. I apologize for the disruption."
But Ashley wasn't done. "No, let them watch," she said, her voice loud and commanding. "Let them see how you handle this. Let them see the real
you, the man who can't make up his mind, who's torn between duty and a fleeting infatuation."
"Enough!" I roared, the anger finally breaking free. "You don't get to humiliate me or Danielle like this. I won't allow it."
Ashley looked taken aback for a moment, but then she recovered, her eyes flashing with defiance. "Fine. But remember, Xavier, this is your mess. You brought us to this point."I turned to Danielle, her eyes filled with fear and uncertainty. "Let's go," I said softly, taking her hand. "We don't have to stay here and be part of this
spectacle." But Ashley's voice followed us as we left the church, a cruel reminder of the chaos we were leaving behind. "This isn't over, Xavier. Not by a long shot."
The sunlight outside felt harsh and unforgiving, a stark contrast to the turmoil inside. I felt Isabella's trembling hand in mine, and I knew that
despite the mess, despite the anger and confusion, I had made the right choice. For better or worse, I would stand by her. But Ashley's words echoed in my mind, a dark promise of more conflict to come.