The mayor tried to ruin me at the altar—until the pastor spoke a single name that brought the entire ceremony to a halt

in my cheek intensified. I swayed slightly, gripping the back of a chair to steady myself.

“Clara.”

I turned. Julian stood a few feet away, looking completely shattered, like a spoiled child realizing the consequences had finally caught up to him. He took a hesitant step forward, lifting a shaking hand.

“Clara, I… I didn’t continue reading …