Chapter 3 A Wedding of Secrets

(Sienna's POV)

"No. No, no, no... This isn't real."

I felt my heartbeat thunder in my ears.

The cathedral was packed, every seat filled with Houston's elite.

Crystal chandeliers bathed the grand space in golden light, casting a warm glow over the guests, their murmurs like a distant hum. The scent of roses and expensive cologne filled the air, but I barely registered it.

I was supposed to be the perfect bride-poised, elegant, glowing with happiness.

But as I locked eyes with my groom at the altar, my world came crashing down.

Because second the man I had a reckless one-night stand with just weeks ago-was standing there.

As my husband-to-be. Julian Castellanos.

His shock mirrored mine.

His piercing blue eyes, once filled with sinful pleasure, now darkened with disbelief.

A muscle in his jaw clenched. His fingers curled into fists.

And then... his expression turned cold.

Like a switch had flipped.

Like I was nothing.

I tried to swallow, but my throat was dry.

Not only was I marrying a man I'd slept with, but from the way he stood there, it was clear he knew exactly who I was.

He knew.

And he looked at me like he hated me for it.

Oh God. Oh God.

How was this happening?

I forced myself forward.

I felt the blood drain from my face as I clutched the bouquet in my trembling hands.

I couldn't breathe.

I forced my legs to move down the aisle, step by step, my heart hammering so hard I thought I might pass out.

Julian didn't move. Didn't blink. His eyes never left mine.

They weren't filled with love. Or warmth.

Just ice.

But the moment I placed my trembling hand in his, his grip tightened-not out of warmth, but as if he was restraining himself from snapping my wrist.

Then, in a voice laced with venom, he whispered, "You're fucking kidding".

I barely had time to process Julian's words before I noticed the man standing behind him.

My breath caught.

I almost stumbled.

The best man... was the third man I had been with..

Oh My God.

My stomach dropped.

Julian's best man.

I had slept with both of them.

My vision blurred.

And then his best man lips curled into a dangerous smirk

A knowing smirk.

His gaze flickered over me like he was piecing things together.

I wanted to die.

The ceremony felt like a blur....

Vows were exchanged. Rings slipped onto fingers.

But every second, Julian's touch burned like a silent threat.

Julian barely looked at me. His words were sharp, clipped, devoid of warmth.

And when the priest said, "You may kiss the bride".

He hesitated.

Then pressed a brief, lifeless kiss on my lips before pulling away as if I disgusted him.

I held my head high, refusing to show how much it stung.

I had to get out of here.

The reception was loud laughter, clinking glasses, the soft hum of a violin in the background. Guests danced, toasted, and whispered about how stunning the new bride and groom were.

I needed to get out, my vision still spinning,

Slipping past the crowd, I stepped outside, inhaling the cool evening air.

Then, I walked straight into a tall, commanding figure.

"Are you blind?, watch where you're going," he snapped, his voice sharp.

I stumbled back, blinking up at him.

A young man should be in his thirties with streaks of silver in his dark hair, stared down at me with an irritated scowl. His presence was imposing, his expensive suit fitting his broad frame perfectly.

I didn't know who he was, but something about him made my skin prickle.

Before I could respond, he brushed past me, disappearing into the crowd.

I exhaled sharply.

I didn't realize I was holding my breath until another voice made my blood run cold.

I blinked.

Who the hell was that? I guess fate had other plans.

Because Julian's Best Man was already waiting for me.

I froze.

He leaned in so slightly, his whisper made my skin crawl.

"Well, well, well. Isn't this... interesting?"

His smirk was gone.

Now, his eyes were filled with something else.

Disgust.

"You must think you're real clever, huh?" His voice was low, dangerous.

My stomach twisted. "What?"

He took a slow, deliberate step closer.

"Sleeping with me," he continued, voice dripping with mockery, "knowing damn well you were marrying my brother?"

My heart stopped.

Brother?

The world tilted.

"You..." I swallowed. "You and Julian are..."

His jaw tightened. "Don't give me that act of surprise, sweetheart. Guess you didn't do your homework before spreading your legs, huh?"

My knees nearly gave out.

Holy Shit.

But before I could respond, a cold, commanding voice cut through the tension.

"What the hell is going on here?"

Julian.

His presence was like a force of nature-dark, overpowering, furious.

His gaze flicked between Dominic and me, sharp and unreadable.

I opened my mouth to explain, but he didn't give me the chance.

"Let's Go Home"

I turned as he stood at the entrance, his jaw clenched, his gaze burning.

Without another word, I walked past Dominic, but I could feel his eyes on me the entire time.

************

The bedroom was massive.

A luxury suite, fit for a king and queen.

But right now, it felt like a prison. Of course this was hell on earth, even if I haven't been to the real hell.

Julian stood by the window, his back to me, hands shoved in his pockets.

I waited.

For him to say something.

For him to acknowledge me.

Finally, after what felt like an eternity, he turned.

"Take off the dress."

My breath caught.

I wasn't sure what I expected.

But the way he said it cold, detached, emotionless made my stomach drop.

When I didn't move, his lips curled into a cruel smirk.

"What's wrong, Sienna?" His voice dripped with mockery. "You didn't have a problem stripping for me that night."

I flinched.

The air crackled with tension.

I wanted to fight back. To scream.

But I wouldn't give him the satisfaction.

So I lifted my chin. Defiant. Unyielding.

"You think this marriage is a punishment for me?" My voice was steady, even. "Fine. But just remember, Julian you're stuck with me too."

His eyes darkened.

And I knew at that moment.

This war had just begun....