Chapter 13

Chapter 13

Mikhail stood stiffly in front of the altar, the hired priest by his side, as he glanced around at the small gathering of hired witnesses. The setup was perfect for the charade he had orchestrated, but one key element was missing—Calliope. His patience was wearing thin, and he couldn't help but mutter under his breath, "What's taking her so long?"

He glanced at his watch, irritation bubbling up as the minutes dragged on. Just as he was about to send someone to check, the door at the end of the aisle creaked open. Clarke stepped inside, giving Mikhail a thumbs up, signaling that the bride was about to enter. The tension in Mikhail’s shoulders eased slightly, and the soft strains of the wedding march filled the room.

The photographers, discreetly positioned around the venue, began snapping pictures as the entourage started their slow procession down the aisle. Mikhail tried to maintain a composed expression, though his eyes were glued to the doors. And then, with a dramatic f