Chapter 15 The wedding was set for two weeks later .
Those weeks passed in a whirlwind of preparations , with Ash handling everything with his characteristic precision , though I caught him smiling more than Id ever seen before .
His usual stoic demeanor had given way to an almost boyish excitement that he tried , and failed , to hide .
On our wedding day , the grand ballroom of the Harrington estate was transformed into something out of a fairy tale .
Ashs eyes never left me as I walked down the aisle , his normally composed expression softening with such pure joy that it made my heart skip .
The venue was filled with familiar faces from our social circle .
The same people who had once watched Julian and me now gathered here , though the dynamics had shifted dramatically .
Julians old friends approached us with champagne toasts and congratulations , their smiles a touch too bright , their words carefully chosen .
I could see the guilt in some of their eyes they had helped Julian maintain his deception for two years , after all .
But now , faced with Ash Harringtons quiet power and obvious devotion , they were eager to show their support .
Then Julian came .
He stood below the stage , eyes rimmed red , hands clenched so tightly around his champagne glass that it shattered .

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Blood trickled down his fingers .
I frowned at the sight .
Catching my glance , Julians eyes lit up hopefully .
He looked down at his bleeding hand , then back at me with a practiced expression of vulnerability the same look hed used to manipulate me countless times before .
Blood on such a joyous day how inauspicious , I remarked coldly , turning away .
Ashs hand tightened protectively around my waist .
The color drained from Julians face .
The next moment , security quietly but firmly escorted him out , as Ashs friends smoothly stepped in to maintain the celebrations flow .
The contrast couldnt have been clearer Julians dramatic gesture versus the genuine happiness Ash and I had found .