CHAINED LOVE

I wasn't invited here, and I don't care.

The room was filled with the sound of laughter and repetitive congratulations. Expensive gowns swished as guests moved, sipping champagne and basking in the luxury of a party that shouldn't have happened. I stood in the middle of the room, my heart pounding, my fingers clutching a cold glass of wine.

They hadn't noticed me-not yet.

My eyes were fixed on one figure. The groom.

Damien Vaughn.

Once, I thought that name would be a part of my life forever. Once, I believed he was my destiny. But now, he stood there, wearing a perfect black suit and a white tie, smiling at the woman who was now his wife. Celeste Moreau. A woman whose last name carried more weight in the business world than mine ever would.

I should have been the one standing beside him. I should have been the one wearing that wedding dress. But no-because to him, I wasn't good enough.

I lifted my glass of wine, took a small sip, and then without thinking, I tossed the entire contents in their direction.

The red liquid soaked Celeste's white dress, leaving a stain that couldn't be easily removed. The room, once filled with laughter, fell silent.

Celeste gasped, staring at the stain on her dress with horror. Damien stiffened, his eyes meeting mine in a shock that quickly turned into anger.

I smirked. "Oops."

Someone in the crowd gasped, whispers began to spread like wildfire. I could feel dozens of pairs of eyes watching me, waiting for what would happen next.

Damien stepped forward, his expression filled with rage. "Seraphina, what have you done?"

"I was just trying to offer my congratulations," I said casually, though my heart was pounding. "And I thought this wedding needed a little more color."

Celeste gasped, her eyes wide with disbelief. "You're insane!"

I chuckled. "Oh, you're just realizing that now?"

I didn't know what made me do it. Maybe it was the anger I'd been suppressing all this time, maybe it was the satisfaction of seeing Damien's face tighten. I wanted to see him crumble, just like he'd crumbled me.

Damien growled, then turned to one of the security guards in the corner of the room. "Get her out of here."

I felt the tension in the air before I even realized it. Several guards started moving towards me. Their steps were steady, clearly trying to prevent me from running.

Damn it.

I could have run. I could have tried to fight back. But I didn't stand a chance against them all. I lifted my chin, ready to face whatever was coming-

Then, suddenly, a hand grabbed my wrist and pulled me back swiftly.

I almost tripped over my own heels as I was dragged out of the ballroom at a speed that was difficult to keep up with. I turned, intending to protest, but the words were swallowed as I saw who had taken me away.

Lucian Devereaux.

My heart nearly stopped.

The CEO of Devereaux Corporation. The most powerful man in the room, perhaps even the city. Cold, untouchable, and known for never doing anything without a reason.

What was he doing?

I didn't have time to ask. He led me through the deserted hotel corridors, far from the prying eyes of the guests. My breath caught as he finally stopped in a more private room, releasing his grip, and then turning to face me.

I yanked my hand back, staring at him sharply. "What are you doing?"

Lucian stared at me impassively. "Saving you from your own idiocy."

I scoffed. "I don't need saving."

He raised an eyebrow, as if doubting my words. "Really? You want to be thrown in jail for disrupting a public event? Or worse, make an enemy out of Damien Vaughn?"

I clenched my fists. "He's been my enemy for a long time."

Lucian observed my face for a moment, his expression unreadable. "Then how about I give you a chance to get your revenge?"

I narrowed my eyes, suspicious. "What do you mean?"