Viktor's jaw dropped and so was Rivana's, equally stunned by the news. When did that happen?! Rivana's mind raced. This event had never occurred in her past life! Azrael hadn't even attended the wedding back then, despite her having sent him an invitation.
Viktor strode over and snatched the cards in his father's hand. His eyes widened as he stared at the names, and then at the photo attached to it. Anger darkened his blue orbs and he turned around, glaring at his soon-to-be-wife.
"Were you cheating on me, Riv?" Viktor accused, his voice oozing with rage.
But before Rivana could deny it, Azrael gave another shock, something that never came to light in her past life.
"That's bold of you, little brother." Azrael sneered, his eyes fixing on Viktor. "Accusing her while you were busy fucking her sister just a night before your wedding."
Rivana's mouth opened again, her mind numbing in sheer shock. Was rebirth triggering new twists? She had no clue what was happening right now!
Fear flickered on Viktor's face. He quickly turned back to Rivana and defended himself, "He... He's lying, Riv!"
"Yes, stop this nonsense, Azrael!" Santino warned, glaring at his son. It seemed like Azrael was planning to snatch away this intelligent, potential woman from Viktor and he couldn't let that happen.
But Azrael only smiled, a smile so unnerving that it sent a chill down Santino's spine. "I don't speak without proof, Father. You should know that by now."
"Candy."
At Azrael's signal, his right hand Callum nodded toward the hotel staff, who dimmed the lights. All eyes turned to the massive screen behind the stage. In moments, a video began to play, and the murmurs among the guests rose as the blurred images and unmistakable voices filled the air.
"Oh, Viktor! Faster!"
"Yes! Ruby, come for me!"
The lewd moans filled the entire room, the video was intentionally blurred but was set at a volume where everyone could recognize them. It was as if Azrael was mocking in the attempt to save his Half-Brother's face. And it was beyond entertaining for the guests.
Rivana stared at the screen, the sounds filling her mind with fragments of her past. When she got pregnant with Alan six months after their marriage, Rubina had indeed shown up with a big belly, claiming Viktor was her baby's father too.
And she had been a fool, believing all those lies they spewed to deceive all of them. Trusting that they were innocents, their drinks were drugged and this ridiculous one-night stand had resulted in Rubina's pregnancy. But this time, she wouldn't fall for it again.
"Tch, candy." Azrael's voice cut through the murmurs again. Glaring at his assistant, he continued, "I asked you to play their video, not a documentary of two stray dogs being frisky on the streets."
A few guests snorted, stifling laughter at his remark, while Callum cleared his throat, managing a deadpan response. "Boss, it's them."
"Oh! My bad," Azrael murmured innocently, drawing another wave of snickers. He shot Rivana a look, wondering if she had heard the confirmation too.
"This… this is fabricated!" Viktor blurted, his face flushing with embarrassment.
"Yes!" Rubina chimed in from her table, clutching her mother's arm in a panic. "Mom! That's not me—please believe me!"
Viktor lunged toward Rivana, and babbled, "He's lying, Riv! He wants to ruin our marriage. Don't believe him!"
Rivana would have believed it if she hadn't time-traveled back from the future. Anger flared up within her—rage and regret boiling over. Without a word, she raised her hand and slapped Viktor across the face.
The sharp sound silenced the murmurs of the crowd.
Viktor's hand flew to his burning cheek, his gaze locking onto her in shock. Something had changed in her. The gentle, lovesick woman who would simp on him all the time was gone, replaced by a fire he had never seen in her eyes before.
Before Viktor could react, Santino walked over and slapped him on the other cheek. The guests gasped again, enjoying the drama. They had come for free meals but were being served a free show too!
"You fool! How could you do this to her?" Santino growled, grabbing Viktor by the collar. He shook him, casting a sidelong glance at Rivana, trying to feign loyalty, hoping she might forgive his son. But Azrael was there to shatter those plans.
Stepping forward with a smile, Azrael stated, "As much as I would love to watch our family drama unfold, I need to excuse myself now, Father." His gaze shifted to Rivana, softening just slightly as he added, "After all, I still need to make up for angering my wife and forcing her to come here."
Azrael walked up to Rivana, his every step drawing the attention of the guests, all of them wondering what he'd do next. When he reached her, without hesitation, he smoothly wrapped an arm around her waist and lifted her into his arms in a princess style, almost intimate and possessive.
Rivana gasped, caught completely off guard. Instinctively, her hands curled around his neck as he adjusted her comfortably. She glanced up, her face flushing in embarrassment at his boldness.
Azrael smiled in response, relishing how her face blushed in embarrassment. Turning to his father and half-brother, he declared, "Have fun!" before walking on the aisle toward the entrance.
The guests watched Azrael in awe, his actions and words amusing them again. Whenever he came, it would sure be an entertaining show and many were intrigued about this new twist. His reason behind crashing the wedding and stealing away his step-brother's fiancée. Little did they know that she had always been his, and this time, he had no intention of letting her go.
When they reached the car, Callum opened the back door with a smug grin. Azrael carefully settled Rivana into the seat and walked over to the other side to sit beside her. While Callum took the driver's seat, his victory apparent as he drove them away from the hotel.
As they drove, tension hung thick in the car. Callum glanced into the rearview mirror, taking in Rivana's bewildered expression as she shifted awkwardly, clearly struggling with everything that had just happened.
Then he glanced at Azrael, whose expression had softened into something almost… hesitant? Callum frowned. A few minutes ago, his boss had been the devil he was always known as, but now he looked more like a teenage boy, uncertain of where to take his first love on their very first date.
Finally, Rivana spoke, irritation lacing her voice. "What was that?" Realizing she was addressing him too casually, she corrected herself, "And when, exactly, did we get married, Mr. Dynar?"
Callum, catching Azrael's darkening expression in the rearview mirror, gulped.
"We did it to save you from marrying that fool, Ms. Faye," Callum replied nervously, trying to step up for his boss. But he regretted when Azrael glared at him as if he had committed another sin, confusing him even more.
"That doesn't mean you can just forge certificates without my consent," Rivana pressed on, her irritation mounting. She was grateful he had exposed Viktor's deceit, but marrying her without her permission was outrageous.
Ignoring the devil beside her who was flaming already, Rivana continued, "Marrying me just to help out is absurd!"
"Then what should have I done? Watch you take bullets for him?" Azrael snapped, his voice a low growl.
The car lurched to a halt, Callum's eyes wide as he processed Azrael's words. Meanwhile, Rivana stared at Azrael, her mouth and eyes wide in shock. How.. How did he know? No way, was he reborn too?