The morning of Maya's wedding arrived wrapped in sunlight and soft music. The entire estate buzzed with movement—bridal makeup artists rushing in and out of rooms, florists adjusting centerpieces, planners shouting times and names and corrections. It was beautiful chaos, the kind that should've filled Elena with excitement.
Instead, she felt hollow.
She'd been awake before dawn, slipping out of her room like a quiet shadow. Anything to avoid running into Adrian. Anything to avoid feeling that sharp twist in her chest when she remembered Leela's hand resting too comfortably on his arm the night before… and the way he hadn't pulled away.
So she kept herself busy. She held bouquets, she double-checked ribbons, she helped Maya rehearse her vows — all while circling around the possibility of seeing him.
Daniel found her like he always did — soft, steady, the kind of presence that didn't demand space but made room for her to breathe.
"You okay?" he asked as he handed her a bottle of water.
His voice was gentle, but knowing. He'd noticed her mood instantly.
She forced a small smile. "Just tired. It's been… a lot."
Daniel nodded, not pushing, not demanding an explanation she wasn't ready to give. "Come here," he said, guiding her to sit on the stone bench outside the venue. The breeze lifted her hair, and for a moment, she felt the world slow down.
"The day is beautiful," Daniel said. "You should enjoy it, Elena. Maya's happiness means something to you."
"It does," she whispered, her gaze dropping. "I just… feel out of place today."
Daniel paused, then softly nudged her shoulder with his. "You're not out of place. You're overwhelmed. And that's okay. Just… don't carry everything alone."
His tenderness almost cracked her.
They shared a few quiet minutes, and she felt herself relax for the first time since morning.
Inside the hall, Adrian stood near the entrance, hands in his pockets, posture tense. He'd been trying to catch a moment with her since sunrise, but every time he walked toward her, she slipped away—to Maya, to the planners, to Daniel.
Especially Daniel.
His jaw tightened as he watched Elena laugh softly at something Daniel said. She wasn't usually quick to laugh, not around people she didn't fully let in. Adrian knew her too well. That smile wasn't comfort. It was relief. Relief from him.
Leela approached him again, brushing something invisible off his suit jacket. "You look handsome today, Adrian," she purred, smiling up at him. "Very… wedding material."
He didn't react, didn't even glance at her. His eyes were fixed on Elena.
Leela followed his gaze, her smile dropping for a second before she recovered it. "She and Daniel seem close," she said lightly.
Adrian didn't answer.
Leela stepped a little closer, testing boundaries she shouldn't. "Are you two… something?" she asked, playful but curious.
Again, he didn't respond — but the sharpness in his expression was answer enough. Leela quietly withdrew.
Maya soon swept in like a storm in her wedding gown, radiant and glowing. The room collectively gasped. Elena rushed toward her, eyes brightening genuinely for the first time that day.
"Oh my God, Maya… You look insane," Elena breathed, lifting her friend's veil slightly to admire it.
Maya took her hand. "And you look like you haven't slept. What's going on?"
Elena forced another smile. "I'm fine, really."
But Maya's eyes flicked between her and Adrian across the hall — and she knew.
Before Maya could say anything, Daniel stepped beside them, holding the bridal bouquet. "Ready when you are," he said warmly.
Maya nodded. "Let's go, before I start crying."
As they moved toward the ceremony area, Daniel naturally fell into step beside Elena. Their arms brushed — just lightly, but enough that Adrian noticed from behind.
They looked like a couple walking down an aisle together.
Something tightened in Adrian's chest — something cold, sharp, and furious.
He started to move forward, instinct overriding logic, but just as Elena turned slightly, their eyes met.
Her gaze didn't soften the way it used to.
It didn't pull him in.
It didn't tremble with confusion or longing.
It was guarded.
And it hit him harder than any stab of jealousy ever could.
Elena quickly looked away.
Daniel leaned closer to her, whispering, "Deep breaths. You look tense."
She nodded, grateful, and let him guide her toward the front row.
Behind them, Adrian stopped walking entirely.
He had fought her distance.
Endured her silence.
Controlled his reactions.
But watching Daniel stand beside her, protectively… gently…
Watching Elena lean into that softness…
Watching her choose comfort over chaos, even if only for a moment…
It shook him.
And for the first time since she'd come back into his life, Adrian felt something dangerously close to fear.
Because if she kept avoiding him…
If she kept turning to Daniel…
If she kept protecting her heart from him…
He might actually lose her.
And that — more than jealousy, more than anger — terrified him.