I was sure of that.
And yet something in me—something exhausted, terrified—clung to his words like a lifeline.
The priest cleared his throat.
—“If anyone has reason to object—”
—“I do.”
The voice thundered from the back of the church.
Everyone turned.
A man strode down the aisle, flanked by officials in dark suits.
Calm.
Precise.
Unshakable.
Richard stood abruptly.
—“What is the meaning of this?!”
But the answer didn’t come from the newcomer.
It came from Elias.
Right beside me.
Calm.
Unbothered.
He slowly released my hands… straightened his posture… and reached up to his face.
Then—
he peeled off his beard.
Gasps exploded across the room.
The hair? Fake.
The dirt? Makeup.
The entire disguise—perfect.
And beneath it…
was a face I had seen before.
On magazine covers.
On financial news.
Standing beside presidents and billion-dollar deals.
Adrian Elias Carter.
Founder of Carter Global.
One of the most powerful investors in the country.
A man rumored to destroy empires without leaving fingerprints.
And he was standing at the altar…
as my groom.
The church fell silent.
A glass shattered somewhere in the distance.
Richard went pale.
—“No…” he whispered.
Adrian turned to him.
Cold.
Controlled.
—“Yes. Me.”
Cameras exploded.
—“That’s Adrian Carter!”
—“Oh my God—!”
—“Keep filming!”
