Page 186 of Broken Destiny

I opened my mouth, wanting to explain everything at last, wanting to tell him the truth I had carried for years, but the words tangled inside me.

Fear wrapped tightly around my throat, stealing my voice before I could speak.

Instead, I lowered my eyes briefly to the stone steps beneath us before forcing myself to speak the only words I believed I had the right to say now.

“I wish Tatiana and you all the happiness and joy in the world.”

And for the first time, I meant it.

Whatever chance Caleb and I might once have had was gone.

I had missed my opportunity.

He had chosen his future, and I had no right to stand in its way.

My hand moved on its own, resting lightly on his chest.

Beneath my palm, I felt the steady rhythm of his heartbeat through the fabric of his suit.

The contact felt like coming home.

I let my hand rest just long enough to memorize the feeling, to hold on to the last piece of him I could carry with me.Then I pulled my hand away slowly, forcing another small smile before walking past him and into the church.

I lowered myself onto the wooden pew next to Harper, halfway towards the altar, close enough to see everything clearly, yet far enough to remain unnoticed among the crowd.

The faint scent of lilies and candle wax filled the air, mingling with the soft murmur of voices and the rustle of formal clothing, beneath vaulted ceilings.

Walking away from Caleb outside had been the hardest thing I had ever done.

And somehow sitting here felt worse.

I had come here determined to tell him the truth, to clear myname, to fight for the love we once shared. But the moment I saw him standing there in his wedding suit—calm, composed, ready to begin a new life—I realized I couldn’t do this to him on his wedding day.

What was supposed to be the happiest day of his life.

It was not fair to him.

It was not right.

The truth would have to wait.

Not today.

Not here.

Not moments before he was about to stand at the altar.

Caleb deserved the truth.

Emma deserved the truth.

But not like this.

Right now, I couldn’t think beyond surviving the next few minutes.

My body had moved on its own, my legs carrying me into the church, guiding me to this seat, forcing me to stay.

But my heart.