Live Wedding: I Married My Fiancé’s Rival on the Spot Chapter 03

Live Wedding: I Married My Fiancé’s Rival on the Spot Chapter 03

“Selena.” Nina’s eyes turned red again. “You always hide the worst news. What happened?”

A burst of cheering exploded outside.

“The groom’s here!”

Nina’s whole face lit up. She wiped her tears with the back of her hand.

“He’s here! Mason’s here!”

“Sit down. Veil down. Let him be surprised.”

She fussed over my dress. Checked her makeup.

I watched her. Didn’t move.

She was smiling.

I was smiling.

She thought Mason had finally made it to me.

I knew my groom had.

The door opened.

Nina’s smile vanished.

The man who walked in was Adrian Vitale.

Outside, the bridesmaids were still cheering. They had never met Mason in person. To them, any man who entered Room 302 had to be the groom.

But Nina knew Adrian.

She whipped around and looked at me. Her eyes filled instantly.

Shock.

Panic.

And then the devastation of finally understanding.

I took her hand and gave it a gentle squeeze.

Tears spilled down her face at once.

She didn’t ask me why.

Maybe Mason using me so Iris could marry Ethan had finally connected in her mind.

Maybe she looked at how calm I was beneath the veil and suddenly understood everything.

She bit her lip, stepped aside, and motioned toward the door.

Adrian walked in.

Black tuxedo. Silver cuff links. Alliance groom badge pinned to his chest. Two Vitale bodyguards behind him.

The noise in the hallway dropped instantly.

In Chicago, everyone knew one thing:

if Adrian Vitale wanted a door opened, it opened.

He stopped in front of me and looked down.

“Selena. Last chance to change your mind.”

I looked up at him.

Three minutes ago, I had sent him one message.

[Room 302 needs a groom. You in?]

His reply had been even shorter.

[On my way.]

And now he was here.

Faster than Mason.

More entitled to stand in front of me than Mason ever was.

I held out my hand. “No regrets.”

Adrian’s gaze dropped to it. The corner of his mouth moved ever so slightly.

Then he took it.

His palm was warm. His grip was steady. And he led me out.

Other rooms sent their brides out amid laughter, noise, and celebration.

Only Room 302 was silent.

Only Room 302’s bride was led out by a different man.

At the end of the hallway, the livestream cameras were already sweeping across the main plaza.

Fifty couples were about to take their places.

Maybe this wedding had finally found me the right groom.

I wondered whether Mason was ready for my entrance.

In the main plaza, fifty brides stood in five perfect rows.

The cameras swept overhead. The massive alliance seal hung over center stage. One by one, the crests of the Five Families lit up.

Applause and cheers rolled through the plaza so loudly it nearly blew the roof off.

The MC raised the microphone, his voice booming through the speakers.

“The final couple is now in position!”

“All fifty couples accounted for!”

“We will now proceed to the public vows and contract signing!”

Nearby, Mason—who had been standing beside Iris, mid-conversation—suddenly frowned.

“Wait!”