Twisted Chances

15. Niko (edited)

"You may now kiss the bride," the priest declared, his voice echoing through the hall.

And they kissed.

Applause burst out around us, champagne glasses clinked, and the hall glowed in celebration. A new journey was beginning for them—a promise sealed not just with rings, but with trust, love, and a little bit of fate.

Madam Smith—no, Mrs. Russell now—looked radiant tonight. Maybe it was the soft lights reflecting off her gown, maybe the joy swelling in her eyes, or maybe simply because she was surrounded by people who adored her. Her smile alone could silence the room.

Russell couldn't take his eyes off her. That kind of devotion, pure and unshaken, was the sort of love I'd grown up watching between my parents. The kind that made me believe in soulmates—two people destined to find each other no matter the odds.

Funny, isn't it? How you can fall for someone you never expected. How one moment changes everything.

I approached the couple with a glass of champagne in hand.
"Congratulations," I offered with a polite smile.

"Thank you, darling Niko," Mrs. Russell said, her eyes glittering as she touched my arm. "And I absolutely love this dress—you should've seen me scream when I first tried it on!"

Her joy was infectious, her warmth genuine. She wasn't just an acquaintance; she was family in my heart. My circle of truly beloved people was small, but she occupied a large piece of it.

"It is from one of the finest," I teased, smirking. She smacked my shoulder playfully, and I chuckled.

Excusing myself, I slipped away to the bar. A little quiet, a little whiskey—that was more my pace.

That's when Sofie entered. My sister. Bouquet in hand, lilac gown flowing like smoke, her beauty immediately drew every pair of eyes in the room. I knew that dress—the one I had given her for her birthday. Regret prickled my chest as I noticed the way men's gazes dragged over her. Wolves in sheep's clothing. Keeping her safe from them was a full-time job, and one I hadn't volunteered for.

She ignored the whispers, the stares, the hunger in those men's eyes, and walked straight toward me. Of course she did. That was Sofie—composed, untouchable. She slid onto the stool beside me and ordered whiskey to match mine.

"How are you liking it so far?" I asked, teasing. I already knew the answer.

She rolled her eyes. "Oh, I love it." Her tone dripped sarcasm as she downed half her glass. I chuckled.

That was Sofie—independent to the core. She worked harder than anyone I knew, saving every dime to build her cosmetics company from scratch, refusing even Father's help. I admired her for that. I was proud of her. But she was also cold, closed off, too bottled up for her own good. A workaholic who scoffed at love. She didn't understand the fire it lit in a man, the ache it left behind.

We sat in silence for a while until she broke it.
"The dress is pretty."

"Thank you," I said simply.

Then I saw her. Or so I thought.

A girl in a blue cocktail dress walked past, her hair, her back, so much like hers. Without thinking, my hand shot out, grabbing her wrist. My breath stopped.

She turned.

Not her.

A stranger blinked up at me, startled. Beautiful, yes—but not Nia. No one else could ever compare.

I mumbled an apology, heat crawling up my neck. Embarrassed, I rubbed my face with both hands. Idiot. How could I even imagine Nia here? She didn't know the bride, didn't belong in this room. And yet... my heart had leapt anyway.

I sank back onto my stool, exhaling sharply.

"I mistook her for Nia," I muttered.

Sofie's sigh was long, tired. "Your condition is getting worse."

I snapped my head toward her. "You wouldn't understand. You've never been in love."

She tilted her glass but didn't argue. So I went on, because I had to.

"It's not obsession," I said, though my voice was rough, defensive. "It's... different. When you love someone, they're everywhere. In your thoughts, in your veins. The only thing that makes sense in the chaos. Even when it hurts, you can't let go. You don't want to."

I swallowed my whiskey, hard. "That's the thing about soulmates. You don't get to choose. They are chosen for you."

Sofie's green eyes locked on mine, sharp and unyielding. "And what if she doesn't choose you back? What if she never does? Do you plan to waste your life watching her love someone else? You talk about soulmates like it's destiny, but to me, it's a prison. I pity you, brother."

Her words cut, but I barely flinched.

Maybe she pitied me. Maybe the world would call me foolish. But I knew what I felt.

I might be wrong about Nia's feelings. Maybe she had buried that little spark she once held for me. But I've already gone too far, too deep.

I won't back down now.

I'll wait. I'll fight. I'll take what's mine.

Because Nia is mine. She just doesn't know it yet.