open, and Isabella stepped inside, her hea

together-relatives, friends of her late father, distant cousins she barely recogn

d the air, but the music couldn't dro

she f

all man-broad-shouldered, sharp-featu

est ti

lian M

rth was he

lian Martez? That cold, arrogan

the Martez family. How had

-where w

pled through her. So

!" the preacher's voice echoed,

ross her eyes. Isabella forced herself to breathe, to walk forwar

e locked on her. His eyes were cold and unre

ispered, her lips barely moving

moothly, as if discussing business. "He coul

art st

der her breath. "Is t

joke. Consider it a..

stment? What was she, some product

ice dropping low enough

, it wouldn't have mattered to you, would it? S

oo stunned to reply. Then

cessory for the Martez family's convenience-but before she

uine smile her mothe

s throat

lass. "I'm only doing this because my mother asked. Don't expect

spiked.

irk tugging at his lips. "Too

r fists, her nails b

h fury, "if it weren't for our mothers pushin

marriage just to prove yourself worthy of our family? And n

gh gritted teeth. "I don't know what I ever did to des

ngering on her face. "All women sa

hit her li

ance in his face-but her mother's voice from the audience echo

ad. A small, practiced s

nough," she whispered. "I

emony c

world. Rings were exchanged, vows spoken through gritted teeth. Applause br

ssion unreadable. Not a fli

ed into laughter and chatter, Isabella c

abe

g away the faint sheen of

s,

ands, holding them tightly. Her eyes shimm

ian's wife. My only advice is this: no matter what happens, stay by

d, confused. Ma

her voice trembling, "did you

moment-but that flicker of gui

quietly and squeezed

erything," she said gently. "Miguel... ran away, Bella. He l

her breath catch

d me not to let everything fall apart. And then-then Maximilian stepped forward

her, a desperate blend of

is more mature, more stable. He's responsible, successful... he's the kind of

her mother, disbeli

an away, you just-let

her have faced humiliation in front of everyone? Mrs. Martez was trembling with shame. And wh

n't even know him. I mean, I didn't know Miguel that well either,

ike other men. He could've walked away too-but he didn't. That shows something, doesn't it? R

er emotions from spilling over. Her mother'

e softened again, t

mes, what feels wrong at first is what saves us in the

sion blurring. "Take care of me..

e, holding her close as if to shield

pered. "Be patient. Be kind. No

she clung to her mother. The hum of laughter

ler-heavier-like a dream she hadn't

Martez watched her silentl

gaze, their eyes met-clashing like

osed to live with a

*