Between Love and Revenge: The Montrose Billionaire Trio

I recalled how it all happened...

The priest's voice, steady and rhythmic, echoed through the grand hall as he read the matrimonial vows.

My fingers curled in Ryan's hand, my heart pounding, not from nerves, but from something deeper. A strange unease that I couldn't shake.

Then...

"Attention, everyone!"

The sharp, authoritative voice boomed, drowning out the priest's words.

Gasps rippled through the congregation. The murmurs of confused guests rose like a wave.

I turned sharply toward the entrance, my hand slipping from Ryan's grasp.

The voice continued, unwavering.

"We have confirmed that Mr. Williams Parker, the current director of Ziknis Corporation, is present here. Make yourself visible immediately. You are under arrest for the embezzlement of company funds."

A sharp breath left my lips.

My father.

For a moment, I couldn't move. Couldn't think.

Then, behind me, I heard the rustle of fabric as my father stood from his pew. His deep, steady voice followed.

"Officers", he said, his tone calm despite the weight of the accusation, "I am Williams Parker, but I have no knowledge of what you're accusing me of "

The lead officer, a tall man in dark civilian clothes, tilted his head, smirking, "I expected denial"

With a swift motion, he pulled out a pair of silver handcuffs, the metal glinting under the chandeliers.

The cold, final click of the cuffs locking around my father's wrists jolted me back to reality.

"No!", my voice cracked as I lunged forward, the heavy layers of my gown dragging against the polished floor, "Let him go! He's innocent!"

The officers didn't spare me a glance. They turned, leading him towards the exit as though he were nothing more than a common criminal.

I struggled to follow, my heels catching in the folds of my dress. My pulse roared in my ears. I reached out desperately.

Then my foot twisted.

The ground rushed toward me.

I hit the marble floor with a jarring thud, my hands scraping against the cold surface. My veil fluttered around me like a fallen petal.

Through my tear-blurred vision, I lifted my gaze, just in time to meet my father's eyes.

He wasn't resisting.

He wasn't fighting.

Instead, he gave me a small, weak smile. A nod.

As if to say "Everything will be fine. Don't worry"

Then he was gone.

And just like that, my world began to shatter.

...

The wedding between Ryan and I was called off.

Ryan stayed by my side at first. He called. He sent flowers–roses, lilies, even food platters with little notes scribbled on them.

Then, without warning, nothing.

No texts. No calls. No explanations.

At first, I barely noticed. I was drowning in legal battles, exhaustion pressing down on me like chains. My mother and I fought endlessly to prove my father's innocence, only to be met with slammed doors and cold refusals.

The company refused to launch an internal investigation. Friends we once trusted turned their backs on us.

My father's name was dragged through every news outlet, painted as a criminal.

One evening, as I sat on my bed staring at the last bouquet Ryan had sent, now wilted and lifeless, I felt something inside me crack.

I grabbed my phone and dialed his number.

It rang. Once. Twice.

Then...

"Hello?"

His voice was casual. Unbothered.

I swallowed, my throat dry. "Ryan... Where have you been?"

"Phina!" he said, almost cheerfully. "It's been ages! How are you? How's your dad's case going?"

Silence stretched between us.

I didn't answer.

Didn't move. I wanted him to feel the weight of my anger and disappointment.

He sighed, "Baby, I'm sorry. I lost my phone and just got a new one yesterday. I barely recovered half my contacts."

A pause.

I clenched my jaw. "You lost your phone?"

"I swear, I didn't mean to disappear on you. Work has been insane. I barely have time to breathe."

Something about his voice didn't sit right with me.

But I wanted to believe him.

"I thought you abandoned me", I admitted, my voice barely above a whisper.

"Abandon you?" He sounded almost hurt. "Phina, you're my world. I'd never do that."

My eyes stung. Tears began to form in them as I tried to force them back.

"Listen", he continued, "I'm on my way to your house"

"You are?", I asked, blinking rapidly out of surprise mixed with excitement.

"Yeah. But actually, I have a better idea. Let's go out. You need a break".

I hesitated.

Leaving the house felt impossible. But Ryan's voice was warm and I didn't want to say No to him.

"Okay," I murmured. "Drive safe".

...

He arrived a little later than expected, complaining of traffic. By the time we caught up and he greeted my mother, it was late evening.

We drove in silence, the city lights flickering past the window. I leaned against the glass, exhaustion pressing down on me.

At some point, I dozed off.

When the car finally stopped, I woke up, rubbing my eyes while blinking into the darkness outside.

It was not a restaurant, not any fancy dinner spot. Just an abandoned building, looming in the night.

Frowning, I sat up. "Ryan... where are we?"

He smiled, but it didn't reach his eyes. "Patience, darling"

Something was off.

He got out and walked around to my side, opening the door. I hesitated before taking his hand.

Inside, the space was eerily silent, shadows stretching across the floor. The air smelled of dust and something faintly metallic.

Ryan covered my eyes with his hands, guiding me forward.

"You didn't tell me you had something planned," I murmured, forcing a small chuckle.

"A quick surprise", he whispered against my hair.

Then...

Light. Dim, flickering.

His hands dropped.

And I froze.

At least twenty men stood in front of me, dressed in sharp black suits. Their faces were unreadable. Cold.

A slow, sickening dread curled in my stomach.

I turned to Ryan, my pulse hammering, "What is this?"

He stepped back, putting distance between us. His posture shifted. He seemed relaxed and somewhat detached.

His expression had changed too.

Distant. Unfamiliar.

My heart clenched. "Ryan?"

He inhaled slowly, then exhaled.

"I'm sorry, Seraphina Parker"

A pause. He swallowed.

"I had to do this."

I barely had time to process his words before the men started moving toward me.