Chapter 1

The organ music swelled, vibrating through the floorboards of St. Patrick's Cathedral and straight up into Amaris Blackwell's chest. She locked her arm through her maid of honor's, her knuckles white against the bouquet of white peonies. The weight of the million-dollar haute couture gown felt like a lead anchor, dragging her down the aisle step by step.

Three hundred of New York's elite turned in their pews, their eyes tracking her progress. She kept her chin up, her smile fixed, playing the perfect bride for the Hoffman family.

But when she reached the altar, the coldness hit her first.

Elijah Hoffman stood there in his tailored tuxedo, but his eyes weren't on her. They darted toward the side door of the cathedral, his jaw tight, his brow furrowed in deep irritation. He didn't offer her his hand. He didn't even smile.

Amaris felt a prickle of sweat at the base of her neck. The priest opened his book, his voice echoing in the vast space.

"Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today..."

The words washed over her, meaningless against the sudden chill in the air. Elijah shifted his weight, his hand sliding into his pocket. He pulled out his phone, the screen glowing bright against the dark fabric.

A sharp, insistent vibration cut through the priest's voice.

People shifted in their seats. Whispers started in the back rows. Elijah didn't silence the phone. He didn't apologize. He answered it, turning his back slightly to the altar.

Amaris grabbed his sleeve, her fingers digging into the expensive wool. "Elijah, what are you doing?"

He yanked his arm free, the force of it throwing her off balance. She stumbled in her heels, catching herself on the edge of the pedestal.

"Jalyn needs me," Elijah said, his voice flat and cold, devoid of any apology.

He didn't look back. He just walked, striding down the aisle like the ceremony was a minor inconvenience he was canceling. The heavy oak doors swung shut behind him with a final, echoing thud.

Silence. Three seconds of absolute, suffocating silence.

Then, a gasp ripped through the congregation. The whispering erupted into a roar, a tidal wave of shock and judgment crashing over the altar.

And then the flashes started. Photographers stationed at the back ignored the rules, their cameras firing like strobe lights, blinding her. Every flash was a brand, marking her as the woman left at the altar.

Amaris's gaze shot to the front row. Her mother, Irma Lewis, sat rigid in her designer suit. Irma didn't look sympathetic. She looked disgusted, rolling her eyes before turning to whisper something to the woman next to her.

A rush of heat flooded Amaris's face, followed immediately by a cold so profound it made her teeth ache. The humiliation was a physical thing, wrapping around her throat, squeezing until she couldn't breathe.

She looked down at her feet. The six-inch Louboutins were killing her. They were a symbol of everything she had tried to be for Elijah-the perfect accessory, the polished trophy.

She kicked them off. One, then the other. The cold marble grounded her bare feet.

Amaris stepped down from the altar. The crowd parted instantly, shrinking away from her like she was contagious. She walked, the heavy skirt of her gown dragging behind her, her bare feet slapping against the stone floor.

She scanned the faces-some pitying, most mocking. Her eyes snagged on a figure in the back row.

Cristian Lowe.

Jeanne's older brother. The iceberg of Wall Street. He sat perfectly still amidst the chaos, his dark suit blending with the shadows. His eyes, usually so cold and detached, were fixed on her with an intensity that made her stomach flip.

A crazy thought sparked in her brain, a desperate, reckless idea. It was her only way out.

Amaris gathered her skirts and marched toward him. The whispers grew louder, the cameras flashed faster. She stopped directly in front of him, looking down at his sharp jawline and the dark shadow of stubble.

Cristian didn't flinch. He tilted his head back slightly, his gaze locking onto hers. He didn't look surprised. He looked like he was waiting.

Amaris swallowed the lump in her throat. Her voice shook, but the words were clear.

"Will you marry me?"

A collective gasp echoed through the cathedral. Someone yelled out in shock.

Cristian's eyes flickered. For a fraction of a second, an unreadable intensity flashed in their depths, like a banked fire stirred by a sudden wind. Then, just as quickly, it was gone, smoothed over by his usual mask of indifference.

He stood up slowly. He was tall, his broad shoulders blocking out the light from the stained-glass windows. He extended his hand, palm up, his long fingers steady.

"As you wish, Amaris," he said. His low voice carried perfectly in the stunned silence.

Amaris placed her hand in his. His palm was burning hot, a stark contrast to her ice-cold skin. The heat jolted up her arm, settling heavy in her chest.

Cristian's fingers closed around hers, firm and unyielding. He turned, pulling her gently but decisively toward the doors. The crowd scrambled out of their way.

He pushed open the heavy oak doors, and the cool New York air hit her face. He didn't let go of her hand as they walked down the cathedral steps, leaving the chaos behind them.