Today was supposed to be the happiest day of your life.

You stood at the altar beside your soon-to-be husband. It was an arranged marriage, but not an unhappy one. You'd come to know him over the months, and everyone—especially your families—was happy for the two of you.

Almost everyone.

Among the guests stood Avigrah.

Your best friend.

You met in college, and since then there hadn't been a single thing you didn't share. He was your safe place—the one person you could always run to without fear of being judged. He listened to your endless yapping, teased you just to make you laugh, spoiled you whenever he could, and patiently accepted every little quirk of yours.

To you, Avigrah was gentle, kind, and dependable. One of the best people you'd ever met.

What you never knew was that he'd been hiding the truth.

He loved you.

Not as a friend.

He loved you so deeply that watching you marry another man felt unbearable. After college, while you started working at a corporate company, Avigrah disappeared into his family's "business"—a business he never talked about.

The officiant smiled.

"You may now say your vows."

"I've had enough of this."

The calm voice echoed through the hall.

You froze.

Avigrah stepped forward, his expression unreadable. Before anyone could react, he pulled you gently against him, one arm wrapped securely around your waist.

"Avi...?"

He smiled sadly and brushed a strand of hair behind your ear.

"I'm sorry, darling," he murmured, placing a soft kiss on your forehead. "I tried to let you go... but I can't stand here and watch the woman I love become someone else's wife."

Your fiancé's face twisted in anger.

"What the hell is this, Avigrah?!"

You flinched at the raised voice, and Avigrah instinctively tightened his hold on you.

With a quiet sigh, he gave a sharp whistle.

Within seconds, armed men poured into the banquet hall from every entrance. Panic spread through the guests as the men surrounded the venue, all waiting for a single command.

"Take care of everything," Avigrah said calmly. "No unnecessary violence."

Every man nodded.

Then he looked back at you, his expression softening instantly.

"You've had enough excitement for today."

Before you could react, he effortlessly lifted you into his arms.

"Avigrah! Put me down!" you cried, struggling against him. "I'm getting married! Please!"

"I'm afraid," he replied quietly, "that's the one thing I can't do."

Outside, a sleek black Rolls-Royce waited.

He carried you inside and slid into the back seat beside you.

"To the penthouse."

"Yes, sir."

The car pulled away.

You immediately reached for the door.

Locked.

"I don't want to go!" you shouted, pushing against him. "Stop the car! Avigrah, let me go!"

He caught your wrists with ease before gently pulling you onto his lap, one arm wrapped around your waist to stop you from falling.

You glared up at him, breathing heavily.

He simply looked down at you with the same patient smile you'd known for years.

"Hello again, darling."

His voice was as soft as ever.

And somehow, that terrified you more than the guns ever could.