Sophia shifted uneasily in her seat, her eyes glued to the altar where Jaxton stood beside Aneira. She couldn't believe what she was seeing. Her frown deepened as she turned sharply toward Haisley, whispering harshly.
"Mom, what's all of this? This isn't the man she's supposed to marry, right?" she hissed, her voice low but laced with frustration. "It's supposed to be some old man struggling to walk."
Haisley's eyes flickered toward Jaxton. She, too, was stunned. They had never met this man before, not even when he had proposed marriage to Aneira. All attempts to meet him had been declined. Haisley assumed it was because of his age, imagining him too old or frail to bother. But now, as she stared at the handsome young man on the altar, looking at Aneira with an intensity she couldn't ignore, Haisley felt utterly confused.
"I don't know," Haisley murmured, her brow furrowing. "We've never met him."
Sophia clenched her fists, her frustration mounting. She snatched her phone and took a quick photo of Jaxton, sending it to Ethan.
Sophia: I thought your uncle was supposed to marry my sister today. Who is this man?
A moment later, Ethan's reply came.
Ethan: That's my uncle.
Sophia's breath hitched, her fingers freezing over her phone.
Sophia: Your biological uncle?
But this time, Ethan didn't reply. The silence was answer enough.
Sophia's hands shook as she stared at the message. Her pulse quickened, fury bubbling beneath her skin. She glanced back up at Jaxton, who was now exchanging quiet words with Aneira. The way he looked at her, it sent a wave of jealousy surging through Sophia's veins. He was handsome, magnetic in a way that made her blood boil with envy.
If only someone had told her Jaxton was this young, this breathtaking. Things could have been different...
She typed his name into her phone, quickly pulling up images of him online. Jaxton Haydra, the powerful lawyer. His face, those captivating blue eyes, stared back at her from the screen, confirming her worst fears. He looked even more striking in person.
Sophia's grip tightened around her phone until it almost cracked in her hand. She shifted in her seat, trying to contain her anger, but it was no use. Her envy burned like wildfire.
"Are you okay, Sophia?" Haisley asked softly, her gaze questioning.
Sophia forced a smile, her voice strained. "I'm fine, Mom."
At the altar, Aneira stood motionless, barely aware of the murmurs in the crowd. Her entire focus was on Jaxton, whose presence felt both overwhelming and comforting at the same time. She couldn't take her eyes off him, and in that moment, the world around her seemed to fade.
The priest smiled, his voice gentle but commanding. "Please, repeat after me."
Jaxton's gaze remained fixed on Aneira, his blue eyes piercing through her as he spoke his vow with conviction.
"I, Jaxton Haydra, take you, Aneira Grigoras, to be my lawfully wedded wife. I promise to be by your side, through the trials and joys of life, to protect you, to cherish you, and to honor you always."
His voice was calm, steady, and filled with a quiet strength that sent a warmth rushing through her. Aneira swallowed hard, her heart pounding as she realized it was her turn. She took a breath and, though her voice trembled slightly, she spoke her vow.
"I, Aneira Grigoras, take you, Jaxton Haydra, to be my husband. I promise to stand by you, to support you, to trust you, and to walk with you through whatever life brings."
Her words were simple, but Jaxton's smile widened slightly, his gaze never faltering.
The priest nodded in approval. "May the rings symbolize the unbroken circle of your love and commitment."
They exchanged rings, Jaxton slipping the delicate band onto her finger with ease, and Aneira's hand trembled only slightly as she placed the ring on his. Her heart raced, the weight of the moment pressing down on her.
Then, the priest's voice cut through the silence, filled with warmth. "You may now kiss the bride."
Aneira's heart stopped. Surely Jaxton wouldn't actually kiss her, not in front of all these people, not like this. But before she could make sense of it, Jaxton stepped closer, his hand moving gently to cup her face. His fingers were warm against her skin, sending a shiver through her, and his touch was firm but soft, grounding her in a way she hadn't expected.
She barely had time to react before he leaned in, his lips brushing against hers with a tenderness that took her by surprise. The kiss wasn't rushed or forced. It was slow, deliberate, and undeniably real. A soft gasp escaped her as her mind reeled. This was no ceremonial kiss; this was something deeper. His lips lingered on hers just long enough for her to feel the warmth radiating from him, making her heart flutter in a way she couldn't control.
The church erupted into applause, the sound a distant hum as Aneira's thoughts spun. She hadn't expected this…any of this…and now she stood in front of hundreds of people, Jaxton's lips still tingling against hers, her heart racing in her chest. When he pulled back, his hand still resting on her cheek, his blue eyes locked onto hers, and she felt utterly breathless.
As the crowd rose to their feet in applause, a figure stepped quietly into the back of the church. Aiden Grigoras, the eldest son of the Grigoras family, moved with purpose down the aisle, his tall frame radiating quiet strength. His sharp features and perfectly styled dark hair made him impossible to ignore. Aiden had always carried an air of authority, a protective presence that instantly commanded attention. His gaze scanned the room before landing on his sister, who stood at the altar beside Jaxton. His expression remained unreadable, though his eyes flickered briefly with emotion as he watched them.
Aiden's eyes moved to Jaxton, studying him for a brief moment before settling back on Aneira. There was no denying the protectiveness that washed over him as he approached, his steps steady, his presence unmistakable.