Chapter 31

Max’s POV

"Alright, let’s get this over with."

I stood in front of the mirror, adjusting my tie while Ben clapped me on the back. "You sound so thrilled," he teased, grinning.

"You do realize you're about to marry one of the most talked-about women in the country, right?"

another groomsman, Kyle, added. "Biggest event of the year. And you're standing there like you're getting sentenced to life in prison."

I smirked. "You act like I haven't been living in prison since this engagement started."

The room burst into laughter.

"Come on, man," Ben said, sitting on the armrest of a couch. "You’re Maxwell Hollandale. We expected at least some excitement from you. I mean, there was more enthusiasm when you bought that god-awful sports car that lasted a month before you crashed it."

"That was a great car," I muttered.

"It was orange," Kyle said flatly.

"It was bold," I corrected.

"It was hideous," Ben shot back.

I rolled my eyes, but I had to admit, their banter made things easier.

For a moment, it almost felt normal—just a bunch of guys, preparing for a wedding, drinking expensive whiskey while cracking jokes. But beneath it all, I could feel the weight of what was about to happen. The permanence of it.

A marriage.

To Sienna.

The woman who both infuriated and intrigued me.

"Alright, alright," I said, shaking my head. "Enough reminiscing. Let's get this damn wedding started before someone decides to sabotage it again."

Ben raised a glass. "To the most reluctant groom in history."

I smirked and clinked my glass against his.

I had just stepped away from the group to grab my cufflinks when I heard the door close behind me.

Then, the scent of expensive perfume filled the air.

I tensed.

"Hester," I said, not even bothering to turn around.

"Max," she purred. "Don’t act so cold. Not today of all days."

I finally turned, my eyes narrowing at her. "What do you want?"

She smiled, stepping forward in her sleek black dress—the exact opposite of anything appropriate for a wedding. "I came to stop you from making the biggest mistake of your life."

I scoffed. "Hester, this isn't a movie. You're not the dramatic ex who gets a last-minute reconciliation."

"Who says I can’t be?" She stepped even closer, placing her hands on my chest. Then slowly, her hand came down lower as she pulled me close and tried to place a kiss on my lips.

I shifted away from her but she insisted, pushing me on the bed. Then she eased into a seductive smile as she slowly ascended the bed above me. I watched her as she slowly reached for the buttons of my shirt. I didn’t say a word.

She removed the first button and then the next. Then she leaned in and I tasted her lips, just briefly.

“You miss it, don’t you?” She whispered. Then her hand went lower, down towards my belt.

I grabbed her wrists and removed them and then I chuckled as I rose to my feet again, pushing her aside. "Try again."

She let out a soft laugh, but her eyes flashed with something darker. "Max, you know this isn't real. You and Sienna? It’s a business deal. A circus act. You don't love her."

I tilted my head. "And?"

She blinked. "What do you mean and?"

I smirked. "You think I need love for this marriage to work? That's cute."

Her lips parted slightly, frustration creeping into her expression. "Max, I know you. You hate being controlled. Why are you doing this?"

"Because I want to," I said simply.

Hester's face darkened. "You're lying."

I shrugged. "Think what you want."

Her seductive approach morphed into anger. "You can't just replace me with someone like her."

I laughed. "Replace you? Hester, I upgraded."

Her eyes burned with rage. "You son of a—"

"Watch it," I warned. "You're still standing in my house."

She exhaled sharply, hands clenched into fists.

"Fine. If you want to throw everything away for that little gold-digger, go ahead. But don’t come crying to me when she destroys you."

"Funny," I mused. "I thought you were the one who tried to destroy her. You know, with the whole hospital stunt?"

Her lips curled. "She deserved it."

My smirk disappeared.

"You tried to hurt my fiancée," I said, voice low.

Hester flinched at the word.

"You broke into my house. You hacked her account. You spread lies. And you physically harmed her." I took a step closer. "You. Have. Failed."

Her breathing quickened. "Max, you don't mean—"

"Oh, I mean it," I interrupted. "Pack your things. You’re done here."

Her eyes welled up, but I wasn’t falling for that act.

She sniffled. "You’re making a mistake."

"No, I made a mistake letting you stay here this long," I shot back.

She swallowed hard. "Fine."

She turned to leave, then paused at the door. "By the way," she said over her shoulder, "have you ever thought about your son?"

My entire body went rigid.

"What?"

She smirked. "Goodbye, Max."

Then she was gone.

The church was packed.

Cameras flashed, reporters shouted, but I had already perfected my media-friendly smile.

"Mr. Hollandale! How are you feeling?"

"Excited," I said smoothly. "Ready to marry the woman I love."

"Any nerves?"

"None."

"Are the rumors about Sienna’s health affecting the wedding?"

I chuckled. "Sienna is stronger than anyone gives her credit for. I’d be terrified to bet against her."

More questions. More cameras. More chaos. But I handled them like I handled everything—with effortless charm.

Eventually, I made my way inside, walking toward the altar.

The church was a mix of genuine well-wishers and people who would rather be at a funeral than at my wedding.

I scanned the crowd.

There were the business associates who had come to keep face. My brother, Julian, watching me with that smug expression. Sienna’s parents, stiff and unreadable.

And, of course, the ones who hated this union—Sienna’s sister, Edwina, practically vibrating with resentment, and other faces I recognized from the scandals.

They were all waiting to see if this wedding would crumble.

I smirked to myself.

They were going to be so disappointed.

Then, the music started.

And I turned toward the doors—

Waiting for my bride.