CHAPTER 178: CHAPTER 178 ALEXA WEDDING (4)

He glanced back at the wedding tent, the lights, the guests, the soft music still echoing from afar.

Then his voice dropped, sharp and clear. "Get everyone in place. No mistakes. Prepare to clean up."

"Yes, boss."

Leonardo ended the call and immediately dialed Jay.

"Jay. Come to the car. Now. Emergency."

Jay’s voice sounded alarmed on the other side. "What happened?"

"Pablo’s moving. You and I are handling it."

"Got it," Jay replied, serious now.

Without wasting time, Leonardo sent two more quick messages.

One to his father:

Pablo’s moving. Heading out. Bella is still at the venue. Keep her safe.

And the second to his mother:

Don’t let Bella out of your sight.

Then he turned off the screen, eyes turning cold.

The mask was off and the mafia king was back.

***

The air was warm and golden, filled with soft piano music, the scent of fresh flowers, and the flicker of camera lights. Guests were seated, eyes forward, watching with curiosity and awe. It should have been a perfect wedding.

But nothing felt right.

Not to Archer.

Not to Reyna and Emilio.

Not even to the crowd, who noticed how the bride was smiling... but never at her groom.

Alexa stood beneath the flower arch with a perfect posture, her veil tucked behind her shoulders, her hands gently holding the bouquet. She looked breathtaking in her elegant wedding gown but her eyes, sharp and restless, kept scanning the crowd.

She was looking for someone.

Waiting for him.

Waiting for Leonardo.

She thought maybe—just maybe—he would stop this. That he’d interrupt the wedding like some movie scene and say he couldn’t let it happen. That he’d finally realize he wanted her. That her plan to make him jealous would work.

But as the ceremony reached its most important moment, Leonardo wasn’t even in the crowd anymore.

The priest’s voice broke through the soft silence.

"Alexa DeLuna... do you take Archer Wyatt as your lawfully wedded husband?"

A few heads turned to watch her answer.

She barely looked at Archer.

"I do," she said casually, like she was answering a yes or no question about the weather.

Her voice carried no warmth, no hesitation, and not even the faintest trace of joy.

Archer stood quietly beside her. His hands were gently folded in front of him, fingers relaxed, not tense. He didn’t look at her. His icy blue eyes remained fixed on the flowers ahead, unblinking, as if their soft petals held more meaning than anything she could say. There was no change in his expression. It was as though he already knew what would happen.

"And Archer Wyatt," the priest continued, "do you take Alexa—"

"I do," Archer said flatly, without waiting for the rest.

Then came the final words.

"You may kiss the bride."

Everyone leaned in, waiting but Alexa didn’t even turn her head toward Archer. Her eyes had locked onto something in the distance.

Leonardo.

He was leaving the venue, walking away with his phone in hand, and Jay was following him quickly toward the side gates.

Alexa froze.

Her lips parted slightly.

Then—she panicked.

"No..." she whispered.

And before anyone could understand what was happening—she stepped back, lifted her gown, and ran.

"Alexa!" Reyna’s voice rang out, sharp and panicked. "What are you doing?!"

"Alexa, stop!" Emilio shouted, his voice cracking in disbelief.

Alan, Casper, and Zion all stood from their seats, watching the chaos unfold, but none of them moved—too stunned, too frozen.

Reyna dropped her bouquet and rushed after her daughter, grabbing her arm desperately as Alexa reached the gravel path.

"Alexa, stop! What are you doing?! You’re married now!"

But Alexa shook her off, eyes wet and wild.

"Let me go!!" she screamed. "You two have always controlled me! Can’t you see?! I love Leo!"

Reyna’s face crumpled. "Alexa, please—don’t do this in front of everyone—"

"You pushed me to marry him! I never loved Archer! I never wanted this!"

Reyna looked like she’d been slapped. Her voice trembled. "We did what we thought was best...."

Alexa ripped her arm free and darted toward a luxurious black car. Emilio chased her, his voice growing louder.

"Alexa! This isn’t the way! You’re ruining everything!"

But it was too late.

She threw herself into the driver’s seat, heart pounding, breath uneven. The key was already in the ignition—she had planned this, just in case Leo chose silence over action. Without hesitation, she slammed the door shut, gripping the wheel with trembling hands. The tires screeched against the pavement as she sped off, the engine roaring to life, leaving behind a blur of flashing cameras, stunned gasps, and a thick, stunned silence that clung to the air like smoke.

Reyna and Emilio both stood in the dust, helpless. Reyna nearly collapsed, clutching her chest, while Emilio held her steady, face pale and stunned. They watched their daughter disappear into the distance like she had never belonged there to begin with.

And at the altar, Archer stood unmoving.

His lips parted, just barely, as if he might say something more but no emotion stirred across his face.

He slowly turned to face the guests, his composure unshaken, the folds of his white suit crisp under the light.

"The wedding is called off," he said quietly, his voice flat and cold, like glass that refused to crack. "You’re all welcome to eat. Then leave."

No one moved for a moment.

Then slow murmurs began to rise, and people turned toward the reception tables in awkward silence.

Bella’s eyes had gone wide. She stood from her chair slowly, pressing her hand to her chest as she looked around, trying to process everything.

Just then, Lina and Alessandro reached her.

"Bella," Lina said gently, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear. "Alessandro and I are heading to our other estate now. We’ll be taking a different route."

Alessandro gave a polite nod. "We’ve arranged a separate car for you. It’ll take you home safely."

Bella nodded slowly, her voice soft. "Alright... thank you."

Lina gave her a warm hug. "You were wonderful today. Stay safe, alright?"

Bella gave a faint smile, then fell into step behind them, trailing a little as they made their way through the garden path.

Alessandro squeezed her shoulder gently and led his wife toward the car, their expressions grim but composed.

Just as Bella was about to step toward the waiting car herself, her phone buzzed.

Just as she took a breath and moved to step forward, her phone buzzed in her purse.

She reached for it slowly, the screen lighting up with a message.

Emergency. Leo and I had to leave. Be safe. I’ll explain later. —Jay

Bella stared down at the glowing words, her fingers still. Her heart gave a slow, uneasy thud.

Everything felt like a blur.