CHAPTER 25: SEALED WITH A LIE

Bianca’s heart began to race the moment Beyoncé’s Halo started playing.

Remember those walls I built

Well, baby, they’re tumbling down

And they didn’t even put up a fight

They didn’t even make a sound

She tightened her grip on her father’s arm as they slowly began walking toward the altar, where Adrian and the officiating pastor were waiting.

I found a way to let you win

But I never really had a doubt

Standing in the light of your halo

I got my angel now

With every step, Bianca’s heartbeat grew more frantic, like it was trying to escape her chest. The lyrics seemed to echo her emotions, guiding her as she walked down the aisle with her father by her side. When they passed her mother, Bianca caught the tears already welling up in her eyes. She gave her a small smile.

By the time they reached the altar, the song faded. Henry let go of his daughter’s hand and gently placed it in Adrian’s. With his eyes glistening, he walked back to sit beside his wife.

Bianca took a deep breath as her eyes met Adrian’s. He looked like he came straight out of a sculpture, sharp eyes, thick eyebrows, strong jawline, and full red lips. No wonder women were crazy about him.

Adrian was stunned. Seeing Bianca in her white dress took his breath away.

"You look beautiful," he said quietly.

Bianca gave him a small smile. "You don’t look so bad either," she said.

After a few readings and prayers led by the pastor, it was time. He invited Adrian and Bianca to face each other and join hands to exchange their vows.

"Bianca Valencia Armstrong, I choose you to be my wife. I promise to be with you from today on, in good times and bad, whether we have a lot or a little, when we’re healthy or sick. I will love you and care for you, until death separates us. This is my promise," Adrian said, looking into her eyes.

"Adrian Williams, I choose you to be my husband. I promise to be with you from today on, in good times and bad, whether we have a lot or a little, when we’re healthy or sick. I will love you and care for you, until death separates us. This is my promise," Bianca said softly.

As Bianca and Adrian were about to exchange their vows, Rafael—standing not far behind Adrian as one of his groomsmen, quietly turned his face away.

From the moment Bianca began walking down the aisle, it felt like a knife twisting in Rafael’s chest. He couldn’t breathe. He wished, desperately, that the man standing at the altar waiting for her wasn’t Adrian, but him.

Selfish? Absolutely. But it didn’t make the pain any less real. Watching the woman he loved marry someone else felt unbearable.

"You may now kiss the bride."

Rafael’s fists clenched tightly at the pastor’s words. It was done. Bianca and Adrian were now husband and wife. He could barely stay standing. He needed to get out of there. Now.

When Adrian leaned in and kissed her, Rafael’s chest tightened. It felt like someone was tearing his heart in two. Watching them share a kiss that should’ve been with him was almost too much to bear.

Turns out, no matter how hard he tried to be okay with them, no matter how much he pretended to be happy for them, somewhere deep inside, a part of him still wanted to tear it all apart.

Cheers and applause erupted from the guests, and Rafael had no choice but to join in, clapping stiffly.

Zakari, standing beside him, stepped forward to congratulate Adrian. Seeing this as his last chance to hold her one final time, Rafael forced himself toward Bianca.

"Congratulations, B. I hope you’re happy with Adrian," Rafael said. His voice was low, a faint smile on his lips that didn’t quite reach his eyes. There was something in his gaze, regret, pain, something he couldn’t quite hide.

Before she could reply, he pulled her into a hug. It was firm and lingering, like he didn’t want to let go just yet.

Bianca let out a soft breath and gently patted his back. Her touch was hesitant, tender, as if she was saying goodbye to a part of her past.

"Thank you, Raf. I really hope you find happiness too," she whispered.

Rafael’s chest rose and fell with a quiet breath. "Yeah. I hope so," he replied, though part of him knew that happiness might never feel the same again.

Rafael added quietly, "But if Adrian ever hurts you or does something wrong, I’ll always be here for you, B. You can come back to me."

He knew it sounded desperate, maybe even foolish, but a small, stubborn part of him still hoped there might be a chance for them.

Bianca didn’t respond. She just let out a quiet sigh, her gaze dropping for a moment.

Because if Rafael ever found out the truth, that this was only a contract marriage, she didn’t know how he would take it.

Not wanting Adrian to misunderstand, Rafael quickly pulled away from Bianca. He glanced at Adrian, thankfully, his friend was too busy thanking relatives to notice.

Rafael took a breath and walked over to Adrian. "Congrats again, man," he said, forcing a small smile. "I really hope you and Bianca will be happy. She deserves a good husband and I hope she makes you happy too."

Realizing that what he said might be taken the wrong way, Rafael quickly added, "I mean... I really do wish the best for both of you." He gave Adrian a firm pat on the shoulder, trying to sound sincere even though his heart wasn’t fully ready to let go.

"Thanks, Raf. We will," Adrian replied, giving a quick glance at Bianca before returning his gaze to Rafael.

Adrian thought silently, "Ah, Raf... Forgive me."

He finally understood who the woman was the one who had left Rafael looking so wrecked and unlike himself at the club that night. It was written all over his face. But what he hadn’t expected... was that Rafael and Bianca had a history. And somehow, realizing that made something twist uncomfortably in his chest.

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