I walked out, the sting on my cheek barely registering. I didn’t care. I was done.
“Lorraine, wait!” Jax’s voice rang behind me, desperate. He caught up, grabbing my wrist, his grip tight. “Where do you think you’re going?”
I yanked my hand free, glaring at him. “Away from you.”
He scoffed, running a frustrated hand through his hair. “You’re overreacting. You always do this, Lorraine. Always twisting things in your head.”
I let out a sharp laugh. “Twisting things? You slapped me, Jax.”
His jaw tightened. “I—I didn’t mean to. You just—God, you make me so frustrated sometimes. You say things without thinking, accusing me of things that aren’t true.”
I folded my arms. “Aren’t true? You think I don’t see the way you act with Tania? The way she looks at you? How she was wearing my gown today like some—” I let out a bitter breath. “Forget it.”
Jax let out an exasperated sigh. “You’re making this about something it’s not. Tania is Jason’s fiancée. I have a responsibility to take care of her. That’s all this is. She’s grieving.”
I met his gaze, unblinking. “You don’t treat her like a grieving fiancée. You treat her like—” I swallowed, shaking my head. “Like she’s yours.”
His lips parted, but he said nothing. His silence was answer enough.
I turned to leave, but his voice stopped me. “You know what? Maybe this is your fault.”
I froze. Slowly, I turned back to him. “What?”
His eyes darkened. “You’ve been distant. Cold. Always assuming the worst of me. It’s like you want to push me away.”
I clenched my fists. “I didn’t push you away, Jax. You did that all on your own.”
His expression flickered—anger, guilt, frustration. He shook his head. “I love you, Lorraine. I just… I just got caught up in the moment. I shouldn’t have hit you.”
“No, you shouldn’t have.”
He reached for me again, but I stepped back. “I’m sorry,” he said softly. “Let’s just… forget this happened. Let’s fix this.”
I stared at him, my heart hammering. Then I exhaled and nodded. “Okay.”
Relief flooded his face. “Okay?”
“Yeah.” I gave him a small, empty smile. “Just leave me alone, Jax.”
The following days, Jax tried to make it up to me. Flowers. Messages. Apologies. Empty gestures.
But I knew better. Because behind my back? He was still with Tania. Whispering to her. Smiling at her. Touching her.
It didn’t matter. The wedding was today. And everything was set.
I sat before the mirror, perfectly poised as my makeup artist finished the final touch. My wedding dress was stunning, a masterpiece of elegance.
Jax knocked on the door, stepping in. “You look beautiful.”
I turned, offering him a small, unreadable smile. “Thanks.”
“I’ll head to the venue first,” he said, glancing behind him. Tania stood there, in a white dress. White. As if she were a bride, too.
I said nothing. Just nodded.
Jax hesitated. “I’ll see you soon.”
He left with Tania by his side. I exhaled, turning back to my reflection. Then, I stood up, gathered my dress, and walked out. Straight into the limousine.
Not to Jax’s wedding. To mine with Gavion.
Minutes later, my phone rang. Jax.
I ignored it. Another call. Then another.
I sat in the bridal suite then the knock on the door made my pulse steady. “It’s time.”
I stood, smoothing down my dress, and walked out with my head high. The venue was different from the one Jax thought I’d be at. This one was grand, elegant, filled with my people—people who had known what was coming and supported my decision. No one here belonged to Jax. He had no control over anything anymore.
As I reached the entrance, the soft music shifted.
Gavion stood at the end of the aisle, his black suit perfectly tailored, his expression unreadable but amused. He was enjoying this, knowing that Jax—his greatest rival—was about to lose in a way no one could recover from.
My phone buzzed again. Jax. I didn’t even glance at it. Instead, I met Gavion’s gaze and took my first step forward. By the time I reached the altar, my heart wasn’t racing. I was calm. Ready.
Gavion smirked slightly as he extended his hand. The officiant spoke, but I barely heard. My mind was elsewhere, picturing Jax realizing I was gone, the panic that must be setting in.
My phone vibrated again.
Jax. I ignored it.
The vows were said. The rings exchanged. The moment the officiant announced us as husband and wife, I let out a slow breath.
Then, without hesitation, I pulled out my phone.
Sent.
A single photo—Gavion and me, standing together, married.
The response was immediate. My phone rang again. Jax. I smirked, opening our messages instead.
I typed in French: You can’t fool me anymore. I know you married Tania in the civil registry. Feel free to marry her again—after all, you’re also the father of her child, right?
Then, for the final blow, I added: I also know what you did to your brother.
I blocked him.
And with that, I turned away, slipping my hand into my husband Gavion's arm.
