𝐁𝐋𝐈𝐒𝐒𝐅𝐔𝐋 𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐎𝐒

𝐄𝐏𝐈𝐋𝐎𝐆𝐔𝐄

MARCELLA
LARS

The day was a blur of delicate chaos, a mix of emotions I couldn't seem to shake off. As I stood in front of the mirror, my fingers lightly traced the lace trim of my wedding dress, a symbol of the new chapter I was about to step into. Damon, my fiancé, had always been my protector, my confidante, the person who made sense of my world when it felt too overwhelming. But as much as I loved him, there was a nagging feeling deep within me—a constant weight that I couldn't ignore.

Damon was going to take the throne, the Lars Empire, with all its power, bloodshed, and corruption. And despite knowing him better than anyone, I couldn't ignore the darkness that would inevitably consume him. The responsibility of that throne had a way of changing people. He was still the man I loved, but I knew the weight of that power would shape him into something... different. A leader of the mafia. A ruler. It would be the end of innocence for him, and I couldn't stop it.

But that wasn't my main concern today. My heart was still tugged in two different directions, with Stella and Grayson lingering in the background of my mind. Five years had passed since the two of them had fallen apart, and it seemed like no amount of time or healing could fix the rift between them. It hurt me, seeing the two people I cared about most, trapped in their resentment, unable to find any common ground. They used to be everything to each other, but now... it felt like a war zone between them.

The wedding was meant to be a celebration of love and new beginnings, but it felt hollow with Stella and Grayson in the same room, at odds. Stella had been my best friend, the one who had stood by my side when everything seemed to crumble. And yet, today, there was an invisible barrier between us. She hadn't forgiven Grayson for the things he had done, nor had he let go of the mistakes he thought he made. Their hatred was still raw, still burning under the surface, and I couldn't fix it.

The weight of the day settled on my shoulders as I stood in front of the mirror, adjusting the delicate veil that hung just perfectly over my head. I had never imagined this moment would feel so surreal. As the satin fabric of my wedding dress cascaded down in soft folds, I felt the world shift beneath me—heavy with all the emotions I had been carrying for months. Today was the day I would officially become Marcella Lars, the wife of Damon, the future leader of the Lars Mafia. I should have felt nothing but joy, excitement, but deep down, there was an unshakable ache in my chest that refused to be ignored.

Grayson.

Two years had passed since he disappeared after medical school started. He left, a cold goodbye to all of us except Stella. He never got the chance to explain. No apologies. No reason. Just... silence. And as much as Damon tried to assure me that Grayson had his reasons, I couldn't shake the memory of how Grayson had played with all of our hearts, particularly Stella's. It was impossible not to feel a betrayal, even if Damon said it was for the best.

But today wasn't about Grayson. It couldn't be. Today was about Damon, and about the future I had chosen. As I looked at myself in the mirror, the soft satin fabric of my gown catching the light, I was reminded of how Damon had always been there for me—protecting me, caring for me, loving me in ways I couldn't have imagined. He was everything I had ever wanted in a partner, even if the world around us was far from perfect.

The soft sound of heels clicking against the floor interrupted my thoughts, and I turned to see my bridesmaids entering the room. Stella, Avery, and Liliana—each one of them had their own unique beauty, but together they were an unstoppable force. Their gowns, a beautiful golden-beige that shimmered in the light, were adorned with delicate pearls along the side. They moved with grace and elegance, a stark contrast to the tumult of emotions that swirled inside of me.