Chapter 4

Rowan shrugged. "Who else is gonna marry you?"

"Quit messing around. You're busy picking out the gift and splurging on a fancy wedding dress—if it's not for me, then who are you supposed to be marrying?"

I had to laugh, even though I was fuming. "Rowan, the man I'm marrying today? It's not you."

He blinked, stunned for a beat, then smirked like it was no big deal. "Come on, no way. You're totally obsessed with me."

Just then, Theo sauntered in with the bouquet tucked in his arms, looking hotter than ever.

He glanced at Rowan lurking on the side, his mood souring. "Trying to snatch my bride again?"

The moment Rowan clocked Theo with the bouquet, the penny dropped. He pointed straight at him and barked, "Elara? You're marrying this guy?

"The Vance family's flat broke now. Tie the knot with him, and you're in for a world of hurt."

I nodded. "Not your concern. Yeah, he's the one."

Rowan lost it—sweat popping on his forehead, fingers shaking like leaves. "No freaking way.

"Theo was always picking fights with you. You two were archenemies. You can't marry him."

Back in school, I was the golden girl—top of the class, straight A's, always number one. Then Theo, two years my junior, transferred in and skipped right up to my grade. Suddenly, I was stuck in second place forever.

Teachers raved about him being a prodigy, heaped on praise that used to be all mine.

I was livid, vowed we'd be enemies for life.

But that was high school drama. We were grown-ups now, and I'd moved on. It was just healthy competition; no sense acting like a brat about it anymore.

I let out a sigh. "Rowan, you're the childish one here."

Theo scoffed. "Didn't you just marry Lydia? Go play house with your wife—what are you doing crashing my party?"

Rowan winced, locking eyes with me. "You're seriously marrying him? I said I'd marry you, ditch Lydia. Why won't you honor our deal?"

He was the one who bailed first—left me hanging at our engagement bash, ran off and married someone else.

Now he was still married to Lydia and thought he could swoop in? Making me the mistress, so the whole city can mock me all over again.

But it was my big day; I was not sinking to his level. I just said flatly, "Sure. Chalk it up to me breaking my word."

Theo glanced at his watch, scooped me up bridal-style right in Rowan's face, beaming like he'd won the lottery. "Babe, I'm here to make you mine."

Rowan jumped in our way. "Elara, you can't marry him."

Theo's smile vanished; he booted him aside. "Beat it!"

He hustled me out, jogging to the limo with that grin plastered on his face.

Rowan tailed us the whole ride to the venue. The second the car door opened, he was right there, blocking my path, eyes bloodshot and glassy. "Elara, come with me. Please. Don't do this.

"You were always gonna marry me. Well, I'm here now. Just say yes—I'll give you the world."

I shot him down cold. "Rowan Hale, the minute you said 'I do' to Lydia, you knew it was over. This is what's best for us both. Just leave."

Tears poured down his cheeks—I'd never seen him break like that.

"I'll divorce her today. Wait for me—don't marry him, okay?" he pleaded.

I sighed. "Rowan, wake up. It's not even about Lydia anymore. What we had? It's gone. Dragging this out just tortures us. Let's cut each other loose.

"You agree?"

He stumbled off, bawling his eyes out as he went.

He knew, deep down—I wasn't looking back.

Our wedding night was so intense. Theo had me seeing stars—nearly couldn't walk the next day.

When I finally managed to get up, my whole body ached. I shot Theo a look and teased, "Do you even know how to take it easy?"

He whimpered and snuggled into me. "Sorry, babe—I just couldn't stop."

Theo flipped over, pinning me again. I braced for more, but he just pecked my lips, cradled my face, and whispered, "Elara, I'm gonna cherish you forever."

I'd just dragged myself up for breakfast when the butler dropped the bomb: Rowan had camped outside all night.

It rained cats and dogs; he was drenched to the bone. Old me would've melted.

He was probably counting on that to guilt-trip me back.