Natalia's POV:
The chapel that day was so beautiful it felt as though time itself had stopped. Morning sunlight streamed through the towering stained-glass windows, scattering shimmering bands of gold across the marble floor. Two long rows of meticulously polished oak pews lined the aisle leading toward the center of the sanctuary, where the entire space was adorned with white roses and soft satin ribbons.
Crystal chandeliers hung high above, casting clear, pristine light that filled the hall with a sense of sacredness and romance. Each Gothic column was wrapped with blooming rose garlands, their gentle fragrance drifting through the air along with the deep, resonant notes of the organ like a blessing bestowed upon the couple.
At the center of the chapel, a pure white carpet stretched all the way to the altar, like a destined path where every gaze was fixed on the bride, bathed in light, flowers, and the silent prayers of her loved ones.
Soft sunlight touched every corner of the chapel. Amid the sea of roses, I stood there in my pristine wedding gown beside the man I was supposed to call my husband. The sacred atmosphere made me feel even more radiant; my red lips curved slightly, and the gown that hugged my figure only heightened my gentle beauty. My skin, smooth and soft like clotted cream, drew countless admiring glances.
When I gently brushed my hand over the cool satin laid across my body, it felt as though I had draped myself in a ribbon of light. The gown, utterly clean without a single unnecessary embellishment, made me stand out in a strangely delicate way. Ivory satin embraced my body, reflecting a soft glow like early morning mist.
I took a step, and the fabric flowed with me, fluid as water gliding along my skin. The bodice hugged my waist just enough to accentuate its slender curve, while the skirt fell in natural, effortless folds, as though the dress itself inherently knew how to make me look my best.
The sweetheart neckline framed my shoulders, revealing collarbones as fragile as brushstrokes. Each time I moved even slightly, the satin caught the chapel light, making me appear as though I glowed from within needing no diamonds to shine brighter.
The long train trailed behind me, sweeping softly across the marble, creating a sound as faint as a breath. When I looked into the mirror, I saw a bride both unfamiliar and deeply familiar, pure, serene, and elegantly understated.
My hair had been curled into soft waves, cascading down my shoulders like a stream of midnight water. The stylist had pulled back just a small lock and pinned it with a tiny pearl-studded clip, letting the rest fall naturally to frame my cheeks, making my face appear even gentler and more refined. Each time I tilted my head, the curls trembled lightly, as if the light itself was moving with my hair.
I wore a delicate veil, so thin it was nearly transparent, falling from the crown of my head to drape over my shoulders and brush against the gently lowered back of the satin gown. When the chapel light touched it, the veil cast a faint white glow like morning mist settling over me making me look both ethereal and untouchable.
A large, strong hand clasped my pale, slender one. I lifted my innocent gaze to its owner, Dustin, the man who was about to become my husband. My cheeks warmed when I looked at him. He was tall and handsome, and in that moment, his eyes overflowed with tenderness meant for me. He leaned down and placed a soft kiss on my cheek.
Surrounded by the blessings of friends and family, Dustin and I slowly walked toward the priest. When my mother, Winona Dyer, saw me about to be married, she couldn't hold back her tears. I knew she was happy for me, because she believed I had found happiness… or at least, that's what she thought.
The priest looked at us and solemnly asked Dustin for his vow. When I heard him respond, "I do!" with eyes shining with joy, my heart trembled. I thought I had found the harbor of my life.
Then the priest turned to me, reciting the vow I had heard so many times I could chant it from memory. My heart quivered; I inhaled deeply, lifted my chin toward Dustin, and prepared to speak:
"I..."
A cold voice suddenly cut through the air:
"She does not agree…"
My entire body trembled inside my wedding gown. That voice… so familiar it froze my blood, like a dark force gripping my heart. When I turned around, I saw the face I could never forget in this lifetime: Edward.
Dustin also turned, his expression draining of color at the sight of the uninvited intruder. Edward stood there in a tailored black shirt and fitted trousers that emphasized his long, powerful legs. Arrogance, coldness, and untamed darkness radiated from him enough to make anyone shudder.
Dustin stepped forward, trying to block him.
"Edward, today is my wedding with Natalia. Please respect yourself!"
My parents both jumped to their feet, horrified.
Edward merely let out a cold huff. His eyes swept over Dustin like a sovereign examining a subject before fixing on me.
"Natalia. Come here."
"No…" I felt as though I were staring at a demon. I instinctively stepped back. "Edward, there's nothing between us anymore. Leave!"
"Is that so?" Edward said icily. Then he pushed Dustin aside with ease and strode straight toward me. He gripped my chin hard, leaned in, and smiled a wicked, intoxicating smile.
"Nothing between us? Should I tell your parents and your future husband how you pleased me in bed?"
"Edward, you've gone too far!" Dustin lunged forward to pull me away.
But Edward's voice turned sharper, colder:
"Do you want TerraTitan Global to collapse?"
Those words made Dustin's entire body shake. I saw it clearly, he could not compete with Everhart International. With just one sentence, Edward made him understand that his career could be destroyed in an instant.
Seeing Dustin unable to say a single word to defend me, my heart fell into a bottomless pit of ice.
Edward extended his left hand toward me, palm open, cold as steel.
"Natalia. Come with me."
His voice was a dark, seductive whisper that pressed straight into my heart.
"Why? Why won't you let me go?" I trembled, my breath tightening painfully.
"Simple," Edward replied. His cold eyes never left me. "Just as you once swore before God unless I die, you will be faithful to me alone for the rest of your life."
I drew a long breath and glanced at Dustin. In that moment, I understood my ending. He chose his career, not me. And I… would never escape the man standing before me.
The emotions once brimming in my eyes were swallowed by emptiness and cold. I looked at my parents and friends one last time before letting Edward clasp my right hand, icy as death.
"In this life and every life after, you can only be my woman, Natalia."
Edward leaned in close, his nose brushing through my hair as his deep voice echoed beside my ear.