Chapter 5: The Man Who Knew the Truth

My head snapped toward the voice.

It was Connor Quinn.

He’d been a classmate of Zane’s at Annapolis and one of the few people in the unit who had ever openly clashed with him.

Connor shook off the friends trying to hold him back and strode right up to the altar.

He grabbed Zane by the collar of his dress uniform.

“Answer me.”

Zane’s expression hardened.

“Connor, let go.”

“Not until you explain yourself.”

Connor’s eyes swept across the room before settling on me.

There was something strange in his expression.

Not anger.

Guilt.

“You told me she was yours,” Connor said. “You told everyone in the unit that Elara was the one woman you would never betray.”

The room fell silent.

Sofia’s face went pale.

Zane’s hand tightened around Connor’s wrist.

“This isn’t the place.”

“Exactly.” Connor laughed bitterly. “You made sure there would never be a place where she could speak.”

My mother stood abruptly.

“Connor, what are you talking about?”

I looked at him, my heart strangely calm.

“Tell them.”

Zane’s eyes snapped toward me.

For the first time since I had returned home, I saw genuine fear in his face.

Connor released Zane and turned toward the guests.

“Elara and Zane have been together for five years.”

A collective gasp swept through the room.

My mother stared at me as if she no longer recognized her own daughter.

Sofia grabbed Zane’s arm.

“Don’t listen to him. He’s trying to ruin our wedding.”

Connor scoffed.

“Ruin your wedding? You already did that the moment you decided to marry the man who was secretly dating your best friend.”

Zane’s jaw clenched.

“Connor, enough.”

“No.” Connor stepped closer. “You owe her the truth.”

I watched Zane silently.

For five years, I had imagined what it would be like when everyone finally knew.

I had imagined him standing beside me, holding my hand, telling our families that I was the woman he loved.

Instead, I was standing at his wedding.

As his bridesmaid.

And another man was the one exposing him.

My mother slowly turned toward me.

“Elara…”

I gave her a small smile.

“He’s telling the truth.”

The room erupted.

My father demanded an explanation.

Sofia started crying.

Zane didn't move.

He just stared at me.

I expected him to deny everything.

Instead, he said quietly, “Yes.”

One word.

That was all it took to shatter the room.

Sofia’s crying stopped.

“Zane?”

He looked at her.

“I was with Elara.”

She stumbled backward as though he had struck her.

“Was?”

Zane’s eyes moved to me.

“It ended before the wedding.”

I almost laughed.

“No.”

Everyone looked at me.

I took off the bridesmaid bracelet Sofia had given me that morning and placed it on the nearest table.

“It ended five years ago.”

Zane’s face changed.

He knew exactly what I meant.

I had stopped waiting for him the moment I walked out of my parents’ house.

Connor looked at me, his expression softening.

“Elara, you don't have to stay here.”

I nodded.

“I know.”

Then I turned toward the exit.

Behind me, Sofia called my name.

I didn’t stop.

For the first time in five years, I walked away from Zane without wondering whether he would follow.