Ashes Of The Throne | Part I

Chapter 158 | June | God's Law Of The People

Timeline | June 22nd 2.15pm

Jesse and Toni sat in the waiting room of Betts Clinic. The faint scent of disinfectant lingered in the air, mingling with the hum of muted conversations around them. They were here to sign Toni into rehab, their timing meticulously planned—they had waited until Matthew and Eko's grand wedding ceremony had concluded and the newlyweds had departed for their honeymoon before slipping away unnoticed.

Convincing Mya and Richie that they needed time alone after everything that had unfolded over the weekend had been surprisingly easy. Jesse's quick thinking and Toni's silent agreement had ensured no one pried too deeply into their plans.

Clearing her throat dramatically, Jesse leaned in slightly and began to read aloud, her voice dripping with amusement.

"In the grandiose union of Matthew Dean Skarsgard and Ekovanelina Isobelle Swan," she intoned, drawing out the words for maximum flair, "extravagance took center stage."

Toni rolled his eyes, shifting uncomfortably in his seat, his foot tapping the ground. "Are we really going to go through every article written about them?" he muttered, though the faintest hint of a smile betrayed him.

"Well, dear husband," Jesse teased with mock gravity, her voice playfully steady, "it's good to focus on something else in the moment. You're anxious, and it's a big day. Besides, it's not every day someone we love gets married." She returned to the tablet and scrolled further down, her tone becoming more theatrical as her grin widened.

"'Rumors swirl about floating flowers, a lavish private ceremony conducted in celestial realms, and an exclusive guest list curated with precision—a scoop from none other than Adelaide Splendor herself, editor-in-chief of the Royal Column,'" she read with exaggerated flair.

Toni groaned, letting his head fall back against the clinic's pale blue wall. "You're enjoying this way too much."

Jesse smirked, nudging him lightly with her elbow. "You have no idea. And, maybe I'm just a little jealous—they're out there in the middle of the Mercurian Oceans on some luxury yacht."

"While you're here with me?" Toni tilted his head, arching a brow in her direction.

"And there's nowhere I'd rather be," Jesse said, narrowing her eyes as she grinned at him. "Now, stop with the self-pity and let me finish reading this."

Toni chuckled, bumping her shoulder with his playfully. "Alright, alright. Continue."

Jesse's voice softened as she launched into the next part of the article, adopting a mockingly grand tone. "'Matthew Skarsgard and Ekovanelina Swan have officially become husband and wife, and insiders are spilling the beans on the weekend's extravagant wedding festivities.'"

She cleared her throat for effect. "'In an exclusive statement to the Royal Column, the couple exchanged vows in a highly private ceremony in Orion's District. Ekovanelina dazzled in a Valentino gown, while the bridal party donned red silk attire, rumored to be creations by none other than Oscar de la Renta himself.'"

Jesse raised an eyebrow as she quipped, "Private ceremony? Sure. Except for the next thousand words."

Flipping to the next section, she continued, "'As part of our celebration of this influential power couple, we are thrilled to be the exclusive publishing house selected to unveil intimate photos from the Skarsgards' private ceremony. Refer to page 2 for comprehensive coverage.'"

She swiped her finger across the screen, pausing as she absorbed the next headline. "'The Skarsgard wedding preceded the 'elegant black-tie' reception held on the sprawling grounds of Allegiant's Estate on June 21st, 2121,'" she read, her tone laced with mock seriousness.