Sarah POV

The church was filled with an air of darkness but the air also smelled of roses and fresh linen, and every inch of the space was decorated to perfection. I stood at the back, my heart pounding in my chest, trying to ignore the weight of my wedding dress as it flowed around me. I was about to walk down the aisle. This was the moment I'd been waiting for—everything I'd dreamed of.

Today, I would marry Eren.

The man I had been with for years. The man I trusted. The man I loved.

But even as I smiled at the guests who turned to watch me, something felt off. I couldn't put my finger on it, but the excitement of the day felt strangely distant.

I glanced up at Eren standing at the altar, his expression bright with anticipation. He was perfect. Handsome, successful, kind. He was everything I wanted in a husband. So why did I feel this nagging sense of unease?

It wasn't until I reached the middle of the aisle that I saw him.

Axel.

Standing in the shadows at the back of the church, his dark eyes fixed on me with an intensity I couldn't quite explain. He wasn't supposed to be here. I hadn't seen him in months, not since our last awkward encounter. Eren's older brother had never been a regular presence in my life, but when he did show up, his dark, brooding energy had a way of consuming the room.

I quickly averted my gaze, trying to focus on Eren, trying to feel the excitement of the moment. I was getting married, after all. This was it.

But Axel's presence lingered at the back of my mind. There was something about him, something unsettling.

---

By the time I stood next to Eren at the altar, my heart was still racing. I forced a smile, trying to ignore the butterflies in my stomach. I glanced over at Eren, who was beaming at me, his hand gently holding mine.

But I couldn't shake the feeling that something wasn't right.

"Do you, Eren Blackwood, take this woman, Sarah, to be your wife?"

"I do," he said without hesitation, his voice clear and full of joy.

I turned to him, my heart pounding. I loved him. I was marrying him because I loved him. But Axel's eyes, still burned in my memory. It was like a shadow, darkening everything around me. I looked down at my bouquet, trying to steady my thoughts.

This is your life now, I reminded myself. This is your future with Eren.

"Do you, Sarah Delray, take this man, Eren, to be your husband?" the officiant asked, his voice gentle.

I hesitated for the briefest moment, the weight of the words settling on me like a stone. I looked at Eren, his face so full of trust and love. I couldn't back out now.

Say it. It's what you've always wanted.

"I do," I said, almost too softly.

The officiant smiled. "Then by the power vested in me, I now pronounce you husband and wife."

The applause that followed seemed distant, as if it were happening in another world. I smiled, my lips trembling as I turned to Eren, our kiss l, slow and passionate, sealing the moment. But even as our lips met, I couldn't shake the feeling of Axel watching us from the back of the church.

---

Later, during the reception, I tried to push the uneasy feeling away. It was supposed to be a time of celebration, but every time I glanced across the room, I saw Axel. He wasn't mingling with the guests. He stood in the far corner, leaning against the wall with his arms crossed, observing. Always watching.

I should've felt happy, secure. I had just married the man I loved. But Axel's presence was like a dark cloud hanging over me, and the longer the night went on, the more I couldn't shake the feeling that something was wrong.

It was when the last of the guests had started leaving, and the music had softened, that I stepped outside for some air. The terrace overlooked the city, and I stood there alone, trying to clear my mind. The cool breeze was a welcome relief.

But then I heard footsteps behind me.

I turned, and there he was, but now that he was standing before me, I couldn't ignore the chill that ran through me. He had always had a way of making me feel uneasy without saying a word.

"Eren's wife," Axel said, his voice smooth but somehow dark. "It has a nice ring to it, doesn't it?"

My breath caught. His words felt too final, too knowing. He was addressing me now in a way that made it clear. I was no longer just Sarah. I was Eren's wife. And Axel was fully aware of that.

"I didn't expect to see you out here," I said, trying to sound casual.

Axel's lips curved into a faint smile, but it didn't reach his eyes. "You're Eren's wife now, aren't you?" His gaze was intense, and for the first time, I felt like he was trying to see through me, as if he knew something I didn't.

I swallowed, trying to push away the unease. "Yes, I am." I nodded, forcing my voice to steady. "But I'm sure you came to congratulate us, right?"

Axel stepped closer, but not too close. His presence was overwhelming, like he had the ability to pull every ounce of attention toward him.

"Of course," he said, but there was something in his tone that made my stomach tighten. "I'm happy for you both."

But there was no warmth in his words. No sincerity.

I glanced away, unsure of what to say. "Well, I'm glad you're here, Axel. I'm sure it wasn't easy for you to make the trip."

He let out a short laugh, low and almost bitter. "It wasn't, but I wouldn't have missed it." His eyes were still locked on mine, studying me as if he was trying to uncover something hidden beneath the surface.

"I should be heading back inside," I said quickly, not wanting to linger in this strange, tense moment. I needed to find Eren. I needed to feel right again.

Axel didn't move. Instead, he spoke in a quiet, almost dangerous tone. "Remember this moment, Sarah. Remember how it feels. Because nothing stays the same forever."

I froze, his words sinking in like a weight to my chest.

Before I could respond, Axel turned on his heel and walked back toward the party.

I stood still for a moment, unable to shake the feeling that Axel's words weren't just a passing comment. They were a warning.

But of what? I couldn't even begin to understand. All I knew was that tonight, my life had shifted in a way I couldn't explain.

I turned and walked back into the reception, my mind spinning. Axel's cryptic words echoed in my mind, but I pushed them away. I had married Eren. This was my life now.

But the seed of doubt had been planted. And no matter how hard I tried to ignore it, I knew it would grow.