THE RETURN OF LIAM REYES

Chapter 4: The Man Who Returned from the Dead

The hall erupted into chaos the moment Liam Reyes’ voice echoed through the air.

“I object.”

Every guest turned their head toward the entrance in disbelief, their eyes widening as they saw him standing tall, dressed in black, sharp-featured, powerful, and entirely out of place in this supposedly joyful event.

It was as if a ghost from the past had suddenly walked in.

The guests whispered among themselves:

“That’s Liam Reyes…”

“Wasn’t he disgraced years ago?”

“I thought he vanished… How is he here?”

At the altar, Elena’s hand trembled. Her vision blurred from the tears gathering in her eyes. The impossible was standing right before her.

“Liam?” Her voice cracked, filled with shock, pain, and undeniable hope.

Preston Blake’s face twisted in irritation. His grip on Elena’s hand tightened, his eyes narrowing with hostility.

“What the hell are you doing here?” Preston barked, glaring at Liam like a predator about to strike.

Liam’s eyes never left Elena’s face. His gaze was steady, filled with warmth for her, but cold as ice for everyone else in the room.

“Elena doesn’t want this marriage,” Liam declared in a calm, unwavering voice.

Gasps rippled through the hall.

Preston’s face darkened further. “You’ve got some nerve showing up here, after everything. You think your little appearance will change anything?”

Liam took slow, steady steps into the hall, his presence commanding, his eyes sharp as blades. The crowd instinctively parted for him.

“I’m not here to change anything. I’m here to take back what’s mine.”

Preston let out a harsh laugh. “What’s yours? You gave up everything years ago. You’re nothing but a disgraced exile. You crawl out from whatever hole you’ve been hiding in and think you can play hero now?”

Liam’s lips curled into a faint smile. “I’ve been called worse than exile. But today isn’t about me… It’s about Elena.”

He looked at her again, and her heart nearly broke at the sight. Memories of their years together before everything crumbled flooded her mind.

The guests were restless, whispering, waiting to see what would happen.

In the back of the hall, Dominic Kane, Austin Hewitt, and John Hellman stood silently, watching.

John Hellman’s sharp eyes scanned the crowd like a soldier surveying a battlefield. He leaned slightly toward Dominic.

“Boss, you want me to pull him out of there? This could turn ugly fast.”

Dominic shook his head. “Liam knows exactly what he’s doing. We wait.”

Back at the altar, Elena’s parents, Vivian and Marcus Callahan, rushed to the front, their faces pale with panic.

Vivian hissed under her breath, “What are you doing here? You’ll ruin everything. Leave before it’s too late.”

Liam ignored her completely, his eyes locked on Elena. “You don’t have to do this. You never did.”

Elena’s body trembled. The pressure of saving her family, the threats from the Reyes family, the fear of losing everything… it all crashed down on her at once.

“I… I…” Her voice wavered.

Preston’s expression darkened. “Enough of this.”

Before Liam could move, Preston yanked Elena back toward him roughly. “The ceremony continues. Priest, finish it.”

The priest looked helpless, caught in the middle of a storm.

But Liam’s next words stopped everything.

“Preston Blake, let her go… unless you want to find out what happens when you cross me.”

Preston sneered. “Is that supposed to scare me?”

Liam’s calm expression didn’t falter. He lifted a hand, snapping his fingers once.

The hall doors burst open as Austin Hewitt entered, flanked by towering gang members dressed in black suits. Behind them, John Hellman followed, his sharp eyes scanning every corner, calculating risks, ready to act.

Austin’s booming voice cut through the room. “Anyone who lays a hand on my boss answers to me.”

The entire hall went silent. Even the guests, who were moments ago enjoying the drama, now looked around in fear.

Preston’s face twitched with uncertainty as he recognized Austin Hewitt, infamous leader of the Hallowridge Syndicate.

“What… What’s this?” Preston stammered.

Dominic stepped forward with a smirk. “It means Liam Reyes isn’t the same man you betrayed five years ago.”

John Hellman, arms crossed, added, “You wanted a fight? You’re not ready for what comes next.”

Liam’s eyes never left Elena’s. His voice softened only for her. “You saved me once, Elena. You believed in me when no one did. Now it’s my turn.”

Tears spilled down her cheeks as her lips trembled. “I never stopped believing in you.”

Liam extended his hand toward her. “Come with me.”

Vivian shouted, “Elena, don’t you dare!”

Marcus added, “Our company will collapse if you walk away from this wedding.”

But Elena had already made her choice. She pulled free from Preston’s grip and ran toward Liam, her heart pounding.

The guests gasped again as she threw herself into Liam’s arms.

Preston’s face twisted in rage. “You’re dead, Reyes.”

But Liam’s smile only deepened. His allies were here. His power was real. And his revenge was just beginning.

With Elena by his side, he turned toward the stunned crowd.

“This wedding is over.”

And with that, they walked out of the hall, leaving chaos behind them.

The game had changed. And Liam Reyes was done playing by their rules.