“Good evening, I don't mean to intrude so late but I believe you have my dress.”“I believe I purchased a dress. Fair and square, from what I understand.” Mikael replied back calmly. “Ha. Fair enough. It really was a beautiful piece — I hope whoever's wearing it appreciates it.”“She does.”“Lucky woman. Can I ask your name?”He let that one sit for a while before answering, choosing something close enough to the truth to be safe, distant enough to give nothing away.“You can call me M.”“Mysterious. I like that. I'm Vivienne, by the way. I run a business consulting firm — mostly deals in strategic partnerships and corporate growth. I have to admit, I don't often meet people willing to drop a million dollars on a dress without blinking. That kind of confidence is rare.”Mikael almost laughed. Who knew it was this easy to chat with Vivienne. “It was just a dress.”“To most people, sure. But I think men who move that easily tend to move easily in other places too. Business, for instanc

Shortly after the butler left, Lucas arrived."Hey baby, did you forget you're not supposed to see the bride before the wedding?" she joked, but he only smiled briefly."Where's your charger? I think I forgot mine." He was already looking around the room, scanning for the one thing he cared about at that moment."Nice to see you too," Vivienne said, rolling her eyes but still smiling. She spun around, grinning from ear to ear. "What do you think? Beautiful, right?""Yeah." He answered without even looking at her. He spotted the charger on a table by the window and went straight for it."I know I made the right choice with this dress. It was the most expensive one, actually, but it's worth every cent.""Yeah." He was already halfway to the door when he said it."Baby."He stopped and turned but didn't answer."Is something wrong?""Of course not." His jaw tightened as he walked back to her. "You look breathtaking. I'd love nothing more than to tear all this apart and have you right now

In that moment—The chapel doors flew open once more.The heavy doors swung inward with a deep, echoing sound that cut straight through the priest's words.Every head in the chapel turned.The press reacted almost instantly.Cameras that had only just come to rest were raised again, reporters straightened in their seats, and several hurried to adjust their lenses, already assuming another important guest had arrived.Maybe a celebrity.Maybe a politician.Maybe some powerful businessman who had decided to show up at the last possible moment.Whatever the reason, someone important had just walked in.Even the priest stopped talking.His mouth stayed slightly open as he stared toward the entrance, his attention completely stolen by the interruption.Lucas turned.Vivienne turned too, curiosity getting the better of her.And then she saw the woman standing in the doorway.The first thing Vivienne noticed was the dress.White.Pure, brilliant white, with delicate silver embroidery woven t

There he was.The man she had laughed at, the one she'd believed would be nothing without her.The man she had thrown away, certain he'd stay buried in her past.He was standing in the doorway of her wedding, holding another woman's hand.For several seconds, the chapel was dead silent, like nobody knew what to say.Nobody spoke.The priest stood frozen at the altar, one hand still resting on the pages of the Bible, staring toward the open chapel doors.The silence felt almost unnatural.Then—Click.One camera went off.Another followed.Then another.Within seconds, the entire chapel erupted into a storm of flashes.The reporters had completely forgotten about the wedding.Every lens was pointed toward the doorway, and every whisper was about the unknown couple."Who are they?""That's the dress from Jean Marie.""Isn't that the five-hundred-thousand-dollar gown Vivienne wanted for the after party?" Diane whispered to Renee.Renee nodded. "I heard someone bought it for a million."E

Lucas and Vivienne arrived at the reception just as quietly as they had left the chapel. Not that it wasn't by choice, the reporters were just too busy watching for Mikael and Aurora to notice them come in.Only the photographers Vivienne had personally paid to cover the wedding bothered to take their picture.Her wedding gown had been swapped for a cream-colored mini dress, but the shorter length didn't make it any less extravagant. The dress fit her figure perfectly, the soft fabric molding to her body before ending several inches above her knees. Subtle detailing along the neckline and waist added just enough glamour without feeling over-the-top.Lucas had changed too. He wore a rich green cotton shirt with the sleeves rolled neatly to his forearms, paired with tailored suede trousers that gave his relaxed outfit an expensive, effortless feel. A simple watch finished the look.Together, they still looked like royalty — two impossibly well-dressed people surrounded by luxury.But at