Autumn's POV: Zane tried everything he could to convince me to cancel the wedding. Every time we crossed paths, his presence made my heart waver, even if just for a second. It wasn’t just his words—it was the way he looked at me, like he still owned every piece of me. We encountered each other a few times recently. Each meeting left me more unsettled than the last. He didn’t need grand gestures. A glance. A whisper. A touch that lingered a second too long—enough to remind me of what we once had… and what we lost. But no. I kept telling myself this marriage with Marc was right. Stable. Safe. Tomorrow is my wedding day. Everything is set. The dress, the decorations, the guest list. It should feel like a dream coming true… but something feels missing. I haven't seen or heard from Zane in days. A part of me is relieved. Another part—God, I hate to admit it—aches with curiosity. Marc has been around more often lately. Helping out. Smiling. Trying h
Hannah's POV Zane called me today. Out of nowhere. His name flashing on my screen made my heart sink. He wanted to meet me. Said it was urgent. Said it was about Autumn. But I rejected him. I couldn’t. I wouldn’t. Not after everything he put her through. Whatever happened between them—whatever history they shared—doesn’t excuse the pain in my sister’s eyes. The tears she hides. The strength she forces just to smile. Zane may be Valen’s father, but that doesn’t give him the right to play with Autumn’s heart all over again. I clenched my phone and stared at the screen long after the call ended. I knew keeping this from Autumn wasn’t fair… but I also knew what Zane was capable of. And I wasn’t going to let him mess with her peace again. But then he sent me something I didn’t expect… proof. Pictures. Messages. Dates. Marc… with different women. After Autumn got involved in that major project. After she started trusting him, leaning on him. I stared at the screen,
Autumn’s POV The scent of roses hung in the air like a curse. Laughter, music, and flashes from the cameras bounced off the golden walls of the grand wedding hall. But I stood frozen in the bridal suite, unable to breathe beneath the weight of my gown—or the knot twisting in my stomach. Everything was perfect… except everything was wrong. I paced the room, glancing at my phone again. No calls. No texts. Where was Marc? He promised—he swore he’d be there before the vows. I stormed out of the room, ignoring the gasps from the wedding assistants. Jack was standing near the entrance, nervously fixing his bow tie. “Jack!” I called. “Have you seen Hannah? She was supposed to be with me since morning!” Jack looked up, startled. “No, she left early… said she had something to pick up for the ceremony. I assumed she came here after that.” My skin prickled with dread. “She hasn’t come back… and she’s not answering me.” Jack’s eyes darkened. “Wait—Marc hasn’t arrived either,
Zane’s POV She’s mine now. Autumn Valerian Blackhowl. My wife. The words echo in my chest like a war drum. Thanks to Hannah, everything went smooth—no chaos, no interruptions. Her cooperation bought us silence. For now. I turned slightly, watching Autumn through the corner of my eye. She stood quietly, her hands clenched around the bouquet, her face composed… but her eyes were screaming. Let her scream. Let her hate me. Because she’ll still wear my ring. Suddenly, I felt a small tug on my pant leg. Valen. He was looking up at me with those sharp little eyes, full of innocence and stubbornness. “Uncle…” he said, tilting his head, “Did you see my dad? Did you see Marc?” I crouched to his level, trying to manage the surge of irritation at just hearing that man’s name. “No,” I said calmly. “He’s… not here, Valen". I gently cupped his cheek. “No, Valen. He is not your dad.” His brows furrowed in confusion. “I am,” I whispered. Even if he didn't under
Autumn’s POV I waited until the silence of the night wrapped around the mansion, until I could no longer hear the quiet footsteps of Hannah or the soft sighs of Valen from his room. I didn’t want to talk. Not now. I just needed… him. I pushed open the door to Zane’s room quietly. The dim light from the antique lamp near his bed cast long shadows across the walls. He wasn’t asleep. He was wide awake. Lying on his side, one hand behind his head, the other lazily sliding over his phone screen. His golden eyes lifted the moment I stepped in. “You came,” he said, voice low, almost like a rumble. I didn’t respond. I closed the door behind me, walked to the side of the bed. His gaze didn’t leave mine. There was no smirk tonight. No smug grin. Just… patience. Waiting. As if he’d been expecting me all along. I had changed into my nightgown, the silk brushing lightly against my skin as I moved quietly across the room. My heart was still heavy—confused, uncertain. I di
Autumn's POV Soft rays of morning sun filtered through the curtains, painting a golden hue across the room. I stirred gently, still nestled against Zane’s chest, his arm draped protectively over me. For the first time in what felt like forever, I had slept peacefully. The door creaked open. “Mommy…” a little voice called out. My eyes flew open. Valen stood there, rubbing his sleepy eyes, clutching his little stuffed wolf. But his gaze quickly shifted to the bed—where Zane and I lay, tangled in warmth. His brows furrowed. “Where’s Dad, Mommy? I’m asking about Marc.” Zane stirred slightly but didn’t move, waiting. My throat tightened. I sat up slowly, reaching my hand out to Valen. “Come here, sweetheart,” I whispered softly. He hesitated for a moment, then ran into my arms. His small hands gripped me tightly, but his question lingered—sharp and innocent. “Why is Uncle Zane here? Where is my dad?” I gently pulled Valen onto the bed and cupped his cheeks. “Sweetheart,” I said s
Marc’s face twisted with a mix of regret and desperation. “You think he’s better than me?” he snapped, his voice cracking. “You think Zane is going to love you the way I did?” I didn’t flinch. “No. He already does… without betrayal.” Marc’s jaw clenched. “You’re mine, Autumn. You were always supposed to be mine.” Suddenly, Zane stepped forward, his presence like a storm rolling in. Calm… but deadly. “I’d be careful with your words, Marc,” Zane said in a low voice, eyes sharp like blades. “You don’t own her. She’s my wife now.” Marc turned, fists clenched. “You manipulated everything—used force, threats—” Zane didn’t even blink. “You gave me no choice. You were playing games while I fought to keep her safe. From people like you.” Marc laughed bitterly. “You kidnapped me, Zane!” Zane’s lips curled slightly. “I spared you. You should be grateful you’re standing here breathing.” The tension crackled in the air. I stepped between them. “Enough.” Zane’s arm immediately came around
Autumn’s POVZane grabbed my hand firmly but gently and led me into the vast hall where Clara was already standing, looking extremely nervous. Her hands fidgeted in front of her, her eyes darting everywhere but toward me."Tell her the truth," Zane commanded, his voice low and sharp like a blade.Clara flinched at his tone. She trembled visibly, her mouth opening and closing like she was struggling for breath. Finally, she whispered, "I'm sorry... Autumn, I need to tell you what really happened that night."My heart pounded painfully in my chest. I stepped closer, desperate for answers, dreading what I might hear.Flashback "That night, Mia, you, and I went to the club... you were so happy, laughing freely, dancing without a care in the world. And I—" Clara’s voice cracked, "I was burning inside.""I was jealous, Autumn. I had a huge crush on Zane... and no matter what I did, he never even noticed me. All he ever saw was you."Clara wiped her tears harshly and continued, "I planned t
Autumn’s POVZane grabbed my hand firmly but gently and led me into the vast hall where Clara was already standing, looking extremely nervous. Her hands fidgeted in front of her, her eyes darting everywhere but toward me."Tell her the truth," Zane commanded, his voice low and sharp like a blade.Clara flinched at his tone. She trembled visibly, her mouth opening and closing like she was struggling for breath. Finally, she whispered, "I'm sorry... Autumn, I need to tell you what really happened that night."My heart pounded painfully in my chest. I stepped closer, desperate for answers, dreading what I might hear.Flashback "That night, Mia, you, and I went to the club... you were so happy, laughing freely, dancing without a care in the world. And I—" Clara’s voice cracked, "I was burning inside.""I was jealous, Autumn. I had a huge crush on Zane... and no matter what I did, he never even noticed me. All he ever saw was you."Clara wiped her tears harshly and continued, "I planned t
Marc’s face twisted with a mix of regret and desperation. “You think he’s better than me?” he snapped, his voice cracking. “You think Zane is going to love you the way I did?” I didn’t flinch. “No. He already does… without betrayal.” Marc’s jaw clenched. “You’re mine, Autumn. You were always supposed to be mine.” Suddenly, Zane stepped forward, his presence like a storm rolling in. Calm… but deadly. “I’d be careful with your words, Marc,” Zane said in a low voice, eyes sharp like blades. “You don’t own her. She’s my wife now.” Marc turned, fists clenched. “You manipulated everything—used force, threats—” Zane didn’t even blink. “You gave me no choice. You were playing games while I fought to keep her safe. From people like you.” Marc laughed bitterly. “You kidnapped me, Zane!” Zane’s lips curled slightly. “I spared you. You should be grateful you’re standing here breathing.” The tension crackled in the air. I stepped between them. “Enough.” Zane’s arm immediately came around
Autumn's POV Soft rays of morning sun filtered through the curtains, painting a golden hue across the room. I stirred gently, still nestled against Zane’s chest, his arm draped protectively over me. For the first time in what felt like forever, I had slept peacefully. The door creaked open. “Mommy…” a little voice called out. My eyes flew open. Valen stood there, rubbing his sleepy eyes, clutching his little stuffed wolf. But his gaze quickly shifted to the bed—where Zane and I lay, tangled in warmth. His brows furrowed. “Where’s Dad, Mommy? I’m asking about Marc.” Zane stirred slightly but didn’t move, waiting. My throat tightened. I sat up slowly, reaching my hand out to Valen. “Come here, sweetheart,” I whispered softly. He hesitated for a moment, then ran into my arms. His small hands gripped me tightly, but his question lingered—sharp and innocent. “Why is Uncle Zane here? Where is my dad?” I gently pulled Valen onto the bed and cupped his cheeks. “Sweetheart,” I said s
Autumn’s POV I waited until the silence of the night wrapped around the mansion, until I could no longer hear the quiet footsteps of Hannah or the soft sighs of Valen from his room. I didn’t want to talk. Not now. I just needed… him. I pushed open the door to Zane’s room quietly. The dim light from the antique lamp near his bed cast long shadows across the walls. He wasn’t asleep. He was wide awake. Lying on his side, one hand behind his head, the other lazily sliding over his phone screen. His golden eyes lifted the moment I stepped in. “You came,” he said, voice low, almost like a rumble. I didn’t respond. I closed the door behind me, walked to the side of the bed. His gaze didn’t leave mine. There was no smirk tonight. No smug grin. Just… patience. Waiting. As if he’d been expecting me all along. I had changed into my nightgown, the silk brushing lightly against my skin as I moved quietly across the room. My heart was still heavy—confused, uncertain. I di
Zane’s POV She’s mine now. Autumn Valerian Blackhowl. My wife. The words echo in my chest like a war drum. Thanks to Hannah, everything went smooth—no chaos, no interruptions. Her cooperation bought us silence. For now. I turned slightly, watching Autumn through the corner of my eye. She stood quietly, her hands clenched around the bouquet, her face composed… but her eyes were screaming. Let her scream. Let her hate me. Because she’ll still wear my ring. Suddenly, I felt a small tug on my pant leg. Valen. He was looking up at me with those sharp little eyes, full of innocence and stubbornness. “Uncle…” he said, tilting his head, “Did you see my dad? Did you see Marc?” I crouched to his level, trying to manage the surge of irritation at just hearing that man’s name. “No,” I said calmly. “He’s… not here, Valen". I gently cupped his cheek. “No, Valen. He is not your dad.” His brows furrowed in confusion. “I am,” I whispered. Even if he didn't under
Autumn’s POV The scent of roses hung in the air like a curse. Laughter, music, and flashes from the cameras bounced off the golden walls of the grand wedding hall. But I stood frozen in the bridal suite, unable to breathe beneath the weight of my gown—or the knot twisting in my stomach. Everything was perfect… except everything was wrong. I paced the room, glancing at my phone again. No calls. No texts. Where was Marc? He promised—he swore he’d be there before the vows. I stormed out of the room, ignoring the gasps from the wedding assistants. Jack was standing near the entrance, nervously fixing his bow tie. “Jack!” I called. “Have you seen Hannah? She was supposed to be with me since morning!” Jack looked up, startled. “No, she left early… said she had something to pick up for the ceremony. I assumed she came here after that.” My skin prickled with dread. “She hasn’t come back… and she’s not answering me.” Jack’s eyes darkened. “Wait—Marc hasn’t arrived either,
Hannah's POV Zane called me today. Out of nowhere. His name flashing on my screen made my heart sink. He wanted to meet me. Said it was urgent. Said it was about Autumn. But I rejected him. I couldn’t. I wouldn’t. Not after everything he put her through. Whatever happened between them—whatever history they shared—doesn’t excuse the pain in my sister’s eyes. The tears she hides. The strength she forces just to smile. Zane may be Valen’s father, but that doesn’t give him the right to play with Autumn’s heart all over again. I clenched my phone and stared at the screen long after the call ended. I knew keeping this from Autumn wasn’t fair… but I also knew what Zane was capable of. And I wasn’t going to let him mess with her peace again. But then he sent me something I didn’t expect… proof. Pictures. Messages. Dates. Marc… with different women. After Autumn got involved in that major project. After she started trusting him, leaning on him. I stared at the screen,
Autumn's POV: Zane tried everything he could to convince me to cancel the wedding. Every time we crossed paths, his presence made my heart waver, even if just for a second. It wasn’t just his words—it was the way he looked at me, like he still owned every piece of me. We encountered each other a few times recently. Each meeting left me more unsettled than the last. He didn’t need grand gestures. A glance. A whisper. A touch that lingered a second too long—enough to remind me of what we once had… and what we lost. But no. I kept telling myself this marriage with Marc was right. Stable. Safe. Tomorrow is my wedding day. Everything is set. The dress, the decorations, the guest list. It should feel like a dream coming true… but something feels missing. I haven't seen or heard from Zane in days. A part of me is relieved. Another part—God, I hate to admit it—aches with curiosity. Marc has been around more often lately. Helping out. Smiling. Trying h
Autumn’s POV: I don’t know when I stopped pushing him away. Maybe it was the way he said my name… the way his hands remembered every part of me. My mind screamed at me to stop this. To walk away. To think about Marc, about everything I was trying to build. But my body… My body betrayed me. It remembered him. Every touch sent a shiver down my spine, every kiss stirred a part of me I tried so hard to bury. I hated that he still had this effect on me. I hated that I wanted more… even when I shouldn’t. I let him touch me. I let him remind me of what we once had. Just when I thought he would push me over the edge… he stopped. His touch vanished like a flame snuffed out, leaving my skin burning, my breath shaky, my body trembling with an ache I didn’t want to admit. I blinked, stunned. Confused. Furious. “What the hell—” I whispered, my voice barely stable. Zane smirked, his eyes dark with something dangerous. “You think I’d give you everything that easily?” he m