Chapter 2 Vows

Have you ever wanted something so bad and still not want it?

The quiet murmur of conversation in the chapel permeated the room like static electricity. Lena stood at the church door, her knuckles white with pressure as she held on to the exquisite lace adorning her bridal gown. The garment was everything she had ever imagined as a little girl, with its delicate white fabric and elaborate patterns.

However, her heart was filled with a mixture of suspense and fear rather than the ecstatic delight she had expected. Though every instinct told her to run away, there was a glimmer of optimism hidden behind the anxiety, the hope that maybe, just maybe, today would be the start of something new for her and Adrian.

Her brother James, standing beside her, gave her a gentle nudge. "It's time, Lena," he whispered, his voice thick with concern. His eyes searched hers, silently asking if she was sure, if she could really go through with this.

Lena gave a hesitant, tepid smile and nodded. Too much was at risk for her to make a mistake at this point. Not when their future and James's were involved.

Above all, she could not let go of the little hope that Adrian may reconsider and that, deep down, the man she loved was still alive. She took a deep breath and walked down the aisle, her pulse pounding.

She took a big breath, trying to gather herself, but there was something strange in her gaze. They darted around the room, searching for him.

Adrian Calloway was standing there at the altar, waiting for his bride like a king. Pulling back his dark hair, his tailored suit fitting him perfectly, exuding power and control. His handsome face was a mask of indifference, cold and unyielding.

As their eyes locked, Lena felt her heart pound violently in her chest. There was no longer any trace of warmth or affection in his eyes. Just a glaring flame of animosity and unwavering determination. Even with the cold expression in his eyes, Lena hoped that seeing herself in her wedding dress would remind him of their previous love and friendship.

The guests got up and stared and gushed at her as she walked in, but she barely regarded them. She was staring at Adrian with her whole being as he stood at the altar, his expression ambiguous.

He was every bit as powerful and commanding as she remembered, yet the compassion she had previously experienced in his eyes was long gone. Now, they were cold, hard, like shards of ice that could cut her if she got too close.

"I'm so sorry, Lena. I wish there was another way." James sighed, his shoulders slumping in defeat.

She gave him a sad smile, her eyes misting over. "Me too, James. Me too."

The wedding march started softly, indicating that the ceremony was about to begin. Taking her initial step forward, Lena's stomach churned, every movement feeling like a battle due to the weight of her garment. Her gown's exquisite, detailed lace felt like chains pulling her down and sealing her fate.

A tiny part of her, nevertheless, believed that this moment-this union-might be the beginning of something new when she got to Adrian. She shivered at the sensation of his fingers. His hug was hard, even punitive, as though he were imprisoning her rather than embracing her.

The priest began to speak, his voice a distant drone in Lena's ears. She barely heard the words, her mind too crowded with memories of the past.

She remembered the nights they had spent together, laughing and talking until the sun rose. She remembered the way he used to look at her, with so much affection that it made her heart swell.

She remembered the way he held her when she cried, the way he promised to always be there for her. But that was before Victoria died. Before everything fell apart.

"Do you, Adrian Calloway, take Lena Prescott to be your lawfully wedded wife?" the priest's voice cut through her thoughts, bringing her back to the present.

Adrian's voice was cold, emotionless. "I do."

The tone of his voice startled Lena; it was so unlike the comfort she had known before. Despite the fact that every word felt like a dagger cutting through her heart, she clung to the notion that this would be the beginning of the end for their rift.

"And do you, Lena Prescott, take Adrian Calloway to be your lawfully wedded husband?"

Lena felt her breath catch in her throat. She had the impression that she was gazing down into a chasm from the edge of a cliff. She would be lost forever with just one false step.

However, there was no turning back now. This has to be done by her. In honor of James. For her parents who have passed away. for all that they had constructed. And for the hope that Adrian could come to love her once more in due course.

"I do," she whispered, her voice trembling with the weight of her decision.

"By the power vested in me, I now pronounce you husband and wife," the priest declared, a cheerfulness in his tone unknown of the chaos he just bound. "You may now kiss the bride."

With her heart thumping so loudly she was certain Adrian could hear it, Lena turned to face him. His eyes conveyed a cold, calculating look, as though he was planning the most effective method to get even.

With a slight hint of a kiss, he leaned in and lightly brushed her lips. It was a formality, quick. However, Lena felt a sensation that wasn't at all cold. However, even then, she dreamed that his kisses might mean more in the future.

The reception was a swirl of fake grins and meaningless congrats. With her head numb to the events surrounding her, Lena walked through the crowd like a ghost. Disconnected from the reality of her own circumstances, she felt as though she was seeing the events of someone else's life. However, she occasionally cast glances at Adrian, hoping to get a peek of him.

Adrian was always by her side, yet he seemed just as distant and icy as he had been at the altar. He didn't say much, and his answers were concise and direct. His words and touches lacked warmth and affection. He was only carrying out his obligation, making the necessary arrangements.

As the night wore on, Lena found herself standing alone on the balcony, staring out at the night sky. Gleaming in the darkness like faint recollections, the stars shone brightly. She wanted to be able to grab hold of them, cling to them like she wished she could cling to the past.

A shiver shot through her back, and she spun around to see Adrian staring at her from the doorway, his expression unreadable.

"You should come back inside," he said, his voice as cold as the wind that whipped around them. "The guests are waiting."

Lena nodded, but she didn't move. She couldn't. She needed to say something, to try and reach the part of him that she had once known, the part that still cared. "Adrian, I..."

"Don't," he interrupted, his tone sharp. "Don't try to make this something it's not. We're married, yes, but this is pure business, nothing more."

Lena's heart sank at his words, the final nail in the coffin of her hopes. "I know," she whispered, her voice barely audible. "I just... I just wanted to say that I'm sorry."

Adrian's eyes darkened, his jaw tightening. "Sorry? For what? For ruining my life? For my sister's death?"

Lena flinched at the venom in his words, tears welling up in her eyes. "I didn't mean for any of that to happen, Adrian. I didn't... I don't even remember what happened that night."

He stepped closer, his eyes burning with anger. "You don't remember? Or you just don't want to admit what you did?"

Lena shook her head, the tears spilling over. "I swear, Adrian, I don't remember. I've tried, but it's like a blank spot in my memory."

Adrian's lips curled into a sneer. "Convenient, isn't it? But it doesn't matter. You'll pay for it, Lena. One way or another, you'll pay."

Lena's eyes filled with tears, but she blinked them away, refusing to let them fall. "I don't know, Adrian. I wish I could remember, but I can't. All I know is that I would never do anything to hurt you or your sister. Please, you have to believe me."

"Believe you?" Adrian scoffed, his voice cold and distant. "You think that's enough? You think your empty apologies will bring her back? You think they'll erase the fact that you were the one who took her from me?"

Lena felt a sharp pain in her chest, her breath catching in her throat. "I didn't-"

"Save it," Adrian cut her off, his eyes burning with anger. "I don't want to hear your lies. You've already done enough damage."

With a heart full of grief, Adrian turned and left Lena alone on the balcony, uttering those final, cruel words.

She knew it would be useless, but she still wanted to stand up for herself and convince him that she wasn't the monster he thought her to be. Nothing she said would change the fact that he already had his mind made up.

The sound of the door behind her opening caused Lena to turn, but it was not Adrian who came out onto the balcony. It was James, a mix of worry and displeasure on his face.

"Lena," he said softly, walking over to her. "I saw Adrain leaving so I guessed you would be here. Are you okay?"

Lena forced a smile, but it didn't reach her eyes. "I'm fine, James. Just...thinking."

James frowned, his eyes narrowing as he studied her face. "You don't have to lie to me, Lena. I know this is hard for you."

Lena's heart ached at his words, but she couldn't bring herself to agree. "I know, James. But I can't just give up on the business. And I love him." It was hard admitting that.

James sighed, his expression pained. "I know you do, but love isn't always enough, Lena."

Lena forced a smile. She knew James meant well, but he didn't understand. He didn't know what it was like to love someone so much that it consumed you, that it became a part of who you were. She couldn't just walk away from that, no matter how much it hurt.

Not quite yet. Not until she'd used up whatever hope remained in her. She had to seize the opportunity if Adrian had the tiniest possibility of falling in love with her again. She had to give it a shot.

Lena turned and walked back inside, determined to keep fighting for the man she loved. No matter the cost.

What happened that night? Why did she have to suffer for something she didn't remember?