Antonio's eyes were still stuck on —the image of his ex-lover, Ryan Star's, death. His mother's ragged coughs only amplified the worry knotting his gut.
The car, driven by Uncle Martin, glided toward the Silver City Wedding Hall. This wasn't a normal marriage; it was a country-wide event: the wedding of Antonio Cir, the only son of President Sabastian Cir.
The moment they stepped out, the air exploded. Media cameras flashed, a relentless attack on the Presidential family. The Cir family endured the chaos, quickly moving into the massive hall.
President Cir was immediately swallowed by the crowd, shaking hands and talking strategy.
"Ah, my friend, why so late?" Stone Tan asked, clapping the President's shoulder. "The wedding is literally waiting for your whole family!"
"You know how it is," Sabastian chuckled, his rich voice echoing. "It's a wedding. Media is everywhere.Silver City is traffic."
Meanwhile, Daisy Cir, Antonio's mother, held her son's hand tightly, her health clearly poor. She was quickly led to a seat.
"Oh, my dear, did you take your medicine?" Rosy Tan, the mother of the bride, rushed over, concern etched on her face.
"Yes, I have," Daisy insisted. "Don't worry. Now, where is my beautiful son-in-law?"
"He's inside, getting ready. He's been preparing all morning," Rosy said.
Daisy smiled. "Of course. He should look perfect. He is Mr. World, after all."
The mothers laughed, but Antonio's expression was distant.
"Oh, dear son, go and get ready fast!" Daisy instructed. "Where is Lilly?"
"Oh, Madam, I'm here!" Lilly Cury, Antonio's assistant investigator, rushed up. "Don't worry, I'll take care of him from here. Take care of yourself, Aunt. My friend—I mean, your son—will look the most handsome and perfect for his beautiful… partner."
Lilly took Antonio's arm, dragging him toward the ready room.
"Ah, Daisy, please wait a minute. I'll go check on my son." Rosy excused herself and hurried into Trist's room.
"Oh, baby, you look beautiful!" Rosy whispered, seeing her son's reflection in the mirror. "I've never seen a more perfect bride… groom... in the world."
"Mom, why are you already here? I'm not ready yet," Trist Tan sighed.
"Excuse me. I need to talk with my son personally." Rosy dismissed the frantic makeup artists and workers.
When they were alone, Rosy pulled out a small, teared Christian cross necklace. "Trist, at least put this in your pocket."
"Mom, but it's damaged," Trist said, frowning.
"Tan, baby, if it's not with you, you know what will happen. Tomorrow, we'll meet the Church Father to get a new one. But until then, you must keep this with you."
Trist nodded. Rosy touched his head, her expression grim. "Don't forget what happened five years ago. You suffered a lot since childhood. But remember this matter: at any cost, do not tell your husband or his family. Promise me."
"I promise," Trist finally agreed.
A moment later, Stone Tan burst in. "My son, are you ready?!"
"Dad, almost!"
"Dear, your fiancé and his family are already waiting. Come, come. You're looking beautiful. Even the mirror can't justify it," Stone praised, suddenly tearing up. "You've grown up. Finally, you're getting married."
Trist stood and hugged his father tightly. "No matter what, if something happens to you, just call me. I'll be there," Stone choked out.
"Not only your father—me too," Rosy added, joining the embrace.
Stone took Trist's arm, handed him the bridal bouquet, and led him into the wedding hall.
Antonio was waiting, already dressed and standing straight. He saw Trist for the first time—the polished, perfect man who was about to be his husband.
Stone placed his son's hand into Antonio's. Antonio knelt, wearing the ring onto Trist's finger. The wedding was already the most viral news in Silver City.
After the official registration, the crowd erupted: "Kiss! Kiss! Kiss!"
Antonio's expression remained flat, while Trist flushed, embarrassed and shy.
Antonio caught his mother's eye. Daisy smiled, mouthing the command: Kiss him.
Seeing his mother's genuine happiness, Antonio made his choice. He pulled Trist's waist toward him. The crowd screamed. They were inches from a kiss, Trist's eyes closed in anticipation.
Suddenly, a terrifying screech tore through the cheering. A huge, luxury chandelier light detached from the ceiling, plummeting directly toward the wedding couple.
Antonio didn't think—he reacted. He shoved Trist to the floor, covering him with his body.
CRASH!
The light fixture shattered on the marble right where they had been standing.
Chaos erupted. Rosy, Stone, and Sabastian raced toward them. "Son! Baby! Are you both fine?"
On the ground, Antonio stared down at Trist. "Are you fine?" Antonio asked, his voice rough with genuine worry.
That first word, spoken by his new husband, made Trist's heart pound. He nodded, unable to speak.
Sabastian, ever the politician, quickly controlled the room. "Everyone! Let's all meet at the dinner reception party!"
"Rosy, take Trist to get ready for the night," Stone instructed, his face pale.
"Antonio, are you fine?" Daisy asked, trembling.
"Mom, I'm totally fine. Come, take a rest. Don't walk." Antonio gently guided his mother toward a seat.
Sabastian turned on Stone, his voice low and dangerous. "Stone, didn't you hire professionals? What if something happened to your son? Thank God Antonio is quick."
Stone, guilt-ridden, could only fret.
Back in the groom's room, Antonio was staring at his own reflection. The panic and adrenaline were fading, replaced by the familiar ache of loss.
Suddenly, the door burst open. Lilly Cury ushered a distraught young woman inside.
"Heart Star! What are you doing here? Where's Aunt? What is this, Lilly?" Antonio demanded, his head snapping up.
"Anto, you listen first to what Heart has to say," Lilly urged.
Heart collapsed onto the floor, tears streaming. "Brother Anto! My brother Ryan! My Ryan didn't die in a train accident! He got murdered!"
Murdered.
Antonio's eyes immediately welled up. He hugged Heart fiercely.
"Antonio, calm down. Heart, come with me. You can talk with him later." Cury led the sobbing girl out.
Alone, Antonio sank, his grief exploding into rage. "Oh, no, no! Who could have done that? He never had bad rivalries! How could someone murder him? My Ryan!"
The door opened again. Sabastian walked in. "What happened, son?"
"Oh, Dad, Ryan wasn't accidentally killed! He was murdered!" Antonio burst out, clutching his father.
"Oh, son, it's okay. Don't cry. Look at me, look at me first." Sabastian held his son firmly. "Sit down. What you are saying now… this is your past. Ryan is already dead. Now you have a husband! Remember! You need to take care of him. Did you forget what you promised your mother before the marriage?"
Antonio stopped crying, his face hardening.
Sabastian wiped his son's tear. "Take this outfit. Get ready fast. Trist is a good guy. Maybe you didn't love him now, but you will love him tomorrow. You have to. He is your husband."
Sabastian left. The room fell into a heavy, silent darkness.
Meanwhile, in the separate changing room, Trist was getting ready. He was alone.
The broken Christian cross necklace slipped from his pocket and fell to the floor.
Oh, it's already broken. Anyways, tomorrow I'll take a new one.
Trist picked it up, putting the damaged necklace in a cabinet, locking it. He turned to the mirror, adjusting the new fancy necklace he was wearing. He smiled at his reflection, then looked down.
When he looked up again, his reflection was still smiling.
Trist stumbled back, terror seizing him. He saw something mysterious swirling behind his reflection. He stared into the glass as his image smiled, a wide, predatory grin that wasn't his.
"A-Ahhh! Help! Help!" Trist stammered.
In an instant, the smiling reflection moved. It reached out from the mirror, grabbed Trist, and violently pulled him inside the glass.
The room was silent. Trist Tan was gone.