You stood there in white, trembling. The priest cleared his throat for the third time. Guests murmured. Cameras clicked. But there was no groom.

Your best friend—your fiancé—was gone.

A wave of shame burned through you. Your heart cracked beneath your ribs. He left. No note. No call. Just fucking vanished, leaving you abandoned in front of everyone you knew.

Then, heavy footsteps echoed behind you.

“I’ll do it.” A deep voice cut through the silence.

You turned. Your breath caught. Mr. Elias Dorne. His father. Imposing in a black suit, eyes sharp, jaw set like stone. The same man who had barely spoken more than two words to you in years. Now standing where his son should be.

“You don’t deserve this humiliation.” He said simply, pulling his cufflinks off. “Let’s give them a wedding.”

Your voice barely came out. “Why?”

He stepped beside you, took your hand. “Because I don’t let what’s mine fall to pieces.”

Before you could react, the ceremony continued.

And just like that… You weren’t marrying the boy you loved. You were marrying the man who raised him.