Chapter 5
Ryan’s gaudy wedding convoy tailed us all the way to our venue. I glanced at his twisted expression through the car window and sighed with irritation.
Julian, unfazed, gave my hand a gentle squeeze. “What’s wrong? Getting cold feet?”
“Cold feet?” I scoffed. “Please. I’m just worried he’ll pull something and screw up our timing.”
Julian raised a brow, then leaned in to whisper, “Then, don’t stop me later.”
Before I could ask what he meant, the door swung open. Ryan had already charged at us. He aimed for my arm.
Julian slapped his hand away like it was nothing.
“Touching someone else’s wife comes with a price,” he said smoothly.
That one word, “wife“, made Ryan go pale.
“Who the hell do you think you are?” he barked. “Claire and I have twenty years of history. Who are you to talk?”
I opened my mouth to respond, but Julian was already standing between us. “Twenty years and nothing came of it? Seems like fate made the right call.”
Ryan’s fist shot up, but Julian caught his wrist with ease and twisted.
Crack.
A single punch silenced the entire crowd.
Ryan stumbled back, covering his face, disbelief written all over him. “You actually hit me?!”
Julian shook out his hand. “That was a lesson in decency. You’re a married man harassing your ex–fiancee. Real classy. Your family must be so proud.”
I stood there, arms folded, watching Julian’s clean, fluid movements with no small amount of admiration.
I used to think his bold personality was just chaos wrapped in a pretty face. But now? It felt more like confidence. Freedom. He was everything I’d once thought I couldn’t have.
Ryan turned to me, his wounded ego in full swing. “Claire, are you just gonna let him hit me?!”
I nodded, deadpan. “Yep. My husband’s got a hot–blooded side. I think it’s adorable.”
I turned to Julian. “Did you hurt your hand?”
He pouted, showing me his reddened knuckles. “A little.”
I kissed his palm gently. “Next time, let the staff handle the heavy lifting.”
Ryan looked like he was about to choke on his own rage. “You two… you’re disgusting!”
He completely lost it. “Claire! You’re going to regret this!”
Amber finally dragged herself over, clearly embarrassed. “Ryan, maybe we should head to the hotel…”
He yanked his arm away. “Hotel? Look at their wedding! Then, look at you! You had one job–handle the cars–and even that’s a joke!”
Amber’s face flushed bright red, then she went as white as a sheet.
I finally noticed it. Their convoy behind them was plain, barebones. Compared to Julian’s luxury motorcade, it looked downright
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sad.
Julian let out a soft “Oh?” like he’d just noticed, too.
“So, today’s your wedding as well? What a coincidence.” He waved our butler over. “Grab a couple of champagne bottles from the cellar. Send them over as a wedding gift.”
It was like pouring salt straight into Ryan’s open wound. He was practically trembling with rage as he grabbed Amber and stormed off.
“Let’s go! Let them enjoy their stupid little circus!”
I watched them walk away in a fury.
Julian poked my cheek. “Feel better?”
I caught his hand and kissed his fingers. “Much better.”
The emcee came over to usher us in.
Julian held onto my wrist and suddenly let out a sigh. “To be honest, I’m a little nervous.”
I blinked, caught off guard. This man, who once blocked me at the company like a delinquent, now had sweaty palms.
“Nervous about what?” I teased. “Afraid I’ll bolt?”
He raised a brow. “Afraid you’ll think I’m too much–too wild, too flashy.”
I couldn’t help but laugh. Then, right there in front of everyone, I kissed him. “Too many rules never suited me. You’re perfect the way you are.”
The wedding unfolded without a hitch.
While exchanging rings, I noticed a few people lurking at the entrance. They were guests from Ryan’s side, no doubt. They’d come to witness the drama.
Julian noticed them too and smirked at me. “Looks like someone’s own party isn’t the hot ticket.”
I shrugged. “Not my problem.”
Later that evening, my assistant pulled me aside to whisper the real tea.
Ryan’s wedding barely filled ten tables, and most of them were family. The celebrities and live band he paid big money for? They all bailed and came to ours instead.
“No one wanted to miss the most extravagant wedding of the year,” she said with a wink.
Julian wrapped his arm around my waist, grinning like a fox. “Serves him right. He wanted to steal you and ended up with a lemon.”
I kissed his chin. “Should we thank him? If he hadn’t messed up, I wouldn’t have this perfect husband.”
Julian went quiet for a beat. Then, with a gentle gaze and a low voice, he asked, “Claire, do you really want to be married to me?”
That caught me off guard.
I took a breath and thought about everything.
The truth?
Yes. I did.
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At first, I didn’t care who I married. I figured marriage was a business transaction–one name, one signature, same life either way.
But Julian was different. His chaos, his heat, his rebellion… All of it made me feel more alive than I ever thought possible.
I leaned in and kissed him slowly.
“Yes. With all my heart.”
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