Chapter 14

I pressed my lips together, instinctively tightening my grip, feeling tense and awkward. Suddenly, out of the corner of my eye, I saw Pierce in the crowd.

My heart skipped a beat, and I quickly avoided meeting his gaze.

Henry wasn’t a fool—he had already noticed something was off.

He pulled me closer by the waist as if staking his claim.

His usually soft eyes were now narrowed, staring coldly at Pierce.

The two of them had been sworn enemies for years.

"What are you doing here, Pierce?" Henry was the first to speak.

Pierce, who had just turned to leave, froze for a moment.

Slowly, he turned back, his gaze flickering briefly over me. "My niece is getting married. Am I not allowed to watch?"

Henry’s eyes landed on the red marks on my neck that I had failed to fully hide.

Before he could respond, a sharp voice rang out.

"Pierce, what are you doing here?"

Everyone turned toward the sound.

Lucy stood at the entrance, her belly round with pregnancy, her eyes red with anger. "Are you here