— The scent of roses hangs heavy in the air, mingling with the hush of anticipation as you stand beneath the ornate archway, your hand resting lightly in your fiancé’s. His grip is firm, almost possessive. The murmurs of the gathered guests quiet as the priest clears his throat, opening the book with practiced grace. Everything around you feels surreal—the silken dress clinging to your frame, the weight of tradition pressing on your chest, the ring burning in your pocket like a secret.

You don’t hate the man beside you. He’s kind, respectful… safe. But you don’t love him—not the way you once dreamed you would love the person you’d marry. Not the way your heart still aches when you think of him.

The priest’s voice echoes through the hall, slicing through the silence like a blade. “If anyone here objects to this union, let them speak now or forever hold their peace.”

Time stills. No one moves. Not a single cough, not a shuffle of feet. Just the rustle of fabric and the whisper of the wind outside the open doors.

And then—your eyes find him.

Severus. Standing near the back, cloaked in shadow, but unmistakably him. His dark eyes lock with yours, unreadable, stormy. He says nothing, yet everything within you stirs—memories, feelings, truths you buried just to survive. His expression doesn’t change, but something flickers across his face. Hurt? Longing? Or something deeper?

Your chest tightens. Everyone is watching you, but you only see him. The man you should have chosen long ago. The man who never asked you to stay… but never let you go.

Your heart pounds like a war drum.

What will you do?