Chapter 2

My gaze swept across the stunned faces in the pews. And then I saw him. Declan Monroe. Heir to a media empire, a notorious "trust fund rebel." His reputation was scandalous – wild parties, endless women, whispers of addiction. He was leaning against a pillar at the back, an unreadable expression on his face. Our eyes met. In that moment, a crazy, brilliant idea sparked. I lifted my chin. I started walking. Down the aisle, yes, but not towards the empty space where Ethan had stood. Towards Declan Monroe. The whispers started, then grew into a shocked murmur. I reached him. He straightened up, his eyes, a startling clear blue, fixed on mine. They held a flicker of something I couldn't name. Surprise, yes, but something deeper. "Declan Monroe," I said, my voice clear and steady, ringing through the sudden silence. He just looked at me. "Marry me," I said. A collective gasp went through the church. Declan stared, his jaw tight. For a heartbeat, I thought he'd laugh, or turn away. Then, a slow smile spread across his face. It wasn't his usual reckless grin. This was different. Fierce. Protective. "Yes," he said, his voice low but firm. "Yes, Elara. I will." Chaos erupted. Ethan's parents were already on their feet, sputtering. My father, Mr. Hayes, stormed towards me, his face purple with rage. "Elara! What is the meaning of this? This scandal will ruin me! You will apologize to the Carters and reschedule this wedding immediately!" His voice boomed. I stood my ground. "No, Father. I will not be marrying Ethan. I'm going to marry Declan." Before my father could explode, Declan stepped forward, placing himself slightly in front of me. A shield. "Mr. Hayes," Declan said, his tone deceptively mild, but with an undercurrent of steel. "Elara has made her choice." My father looked like he was about to have a stroke. "She's lost her mind! You... you're a degenerate! This is a disaster!" He was more concerned about his judicial appointment than his daughter. As always. I thought of my past life. The endless years of being a pawn for his image, Brenda's subtle cruelties, her poisoning of my mother with those "rare illness" treatments, my father’s willing blindness. The misery of my marriage to Ethan, his obsession with Brittany, his emotional abuse. No more. This time, I would choose.