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Chapter 8
Lucian’s family are old–school Catholics.]
Our wedding was held in a church.[]
After reading from the Bible, the priest looked at us and asked.]
“Lucian Graves, do you take Sloane Whittaker to be your wife?“]
“To love her and only her, in sickness and in health, for richer or poorer?“]
“I do.”
As soon as Lucian said it, my eyes welled up with tears.[]
I didn’t know why, but that cliché vow suddenly felt so real, so moving.]
Maybe this–this kind of love–was what I’d been chasing my whole life.[]
Then the priest turned to me and asked the same.
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I was just about to say “I do.“[]
When the church doors suddenly slammed open.]
“Sloane!”
Jace barged in, completely drenched in sweat like he ran a marathon.[]
“Sloane! You can’t marry him!”
He yelled and rushed toward me, but the Graves‘ security tackled him instantly.]
His screams echoed through the chapel, like he was some tragic romance novel hero.
And we were the villains–me the heartless ex, Lucian the rebound.[]
I ignored the outburst, placed my hand on the Bible, and said it loud and clear.
“I do.“]
The whole place erupted in applause.
Just like that, I became Mrs. Graves.
While the guests clapped and cheered, another commotion stirred outside.[]
“What’s going on?”
Lucian asked.]
A bodyguard leaned in and whispered, “That guy brought reporters.“]
“He’s trying to cause a scene.”
I froze. I reached for Lucian’s hand to explain-
But he gently placed his hand over mine.]
“Don’t worry. I’ve got this.”
Hi calm voice made me feel safe in a way I’d never known.[]
I watched him, dressed in his tailored tux, stride toward the church doors.
I didn’t hear what was said outside.[]
I was swarmed by guests offering congratulations, barely keeping up.
That night, after the ceremony ended,
I checked my phone and saw the top trending headline.
#Jace Exposed
Turns out Jace had livestreamed the whole thing.
He’d tried to accuse Lucian of “stealing” me.[]
But Lucian fired back in front of the cameras, exposing everything-[]
Jace’s affair with Zoey, her pregnancy, the abortion he pressured her into.
Zoey even showed up herself, confirming it all on record.]]
Just like that, Jace was done for.
My mom, who held shares in his company, pulled out immediately.[]
Then so did the vendors, the investors, the partners.]
The whole thing collapsed overnight.[]
Jace was finished.
That was my only thought reading the news:]
He’s done.
“Tired?”
Lucian’s voice broke my thoughts.
He had taken off the tux jacket, just wearing a dress shirt now.
And wow-
I finally noticed he had an insanely good body.
I blushed and looked away.
“I’m fine.“[]
“Did everything today go the way you hoped, Mrs. Graves?”
He smiled as he sat down beside me and gently applied ointment to the blister on my heel.]
“Yes. Thank you.”
I whispered, not daring to meet his eyes.]
Because I knew if I looked into them, I might never look away.
“We’re married, Sloane,” he said gently.
“You don’t need to thank me for everything.“]
“But it’s okay,” he added. “I’ll wait for you.”
And then, he leaned in and kissed my forehead.]
