Chapter 22
One month later, Aurelia and Theo held a wedding that rocked the city. It was extravagant and vibrant. Every high–profile name in Vantrel showed up.
Theo had swom the celebration would last three whole days, determined to let the world know he had finally married the woman of his dreams.
Milo and the remaining four child husbands came too, but they didn’t step inside—not because they didn’t want to, but because they didn’t want to make Aurelia or Harrison uncomfortable.
Quietly, they left behind their wedding gifts–each one priceless–and departed without a word. It was the only thing they could still do for her- offer a token of their love and disappear from her life without causing ripples.
At exactly 10:00 am, the ceremony began. Fireworks exploded in the sky, painting it in bright shades of blue. Smoke trailed into the air, forming the words, Congratulations, Theo and Aurelia. Happy Wedding Day!”
And right in the middle of that grand celebration, Damien showed up.
It had only been one month since they last met, but when Aurelia saw him, she barely recognized him.
His hair had turned completely white. His skin was pale and thin, almost translucent—like something fragile, frozen in the dead
shell that looked as if it might crack with a single breath.
“Aury,” he said, his voice barely above a whisper. “Could I have just one hour of your time? I need to talk to you.” Harrison’s expression darkened immediately. Before Aurelia could say a word, he stepped in.
of
winter
was like
a porcelain
“Damien, our family never owed you anything. You need to leave. Now. Don’t ruin my daughter’s wedding with this nonsense. If you had even a shred of decency left, you would’ve done what the others did–drop off your gift and walk away.”
Damien offered a bitter smile. “Don’t worry, Mr. Vance. I’ll leave soon. I promise. I just want a few minutes alone with Aury. That’s all.”
But Aurelia’s voice was cold and unwavering. “Damien, there’s nothing left to say.”
Damien laughed quietly. His eyes locked on hers, which were wide and bright, with that same peach–blossom hue he used to love. There was a flicker of something lost in his gaze.
“Just one hour,” he said, then quickly corrected himself. “No… Ten minutes. Just ten minutes. Let me say goodbye, and I’ll never show my face again.”
There was pleading in his voice, but Aurelia didn’t flinch. Her stare was stone.
“Not even one minute.”
Damien clutched his chest again. The pain shot through him like a blade twisting inside his ribcage.
So, this was what heartbreak really felt like. t felt like every arrow in the world was hitting him at once.
He exhaled sharply, forcing a smile. “Aury, if that’s how it’s going to be… then don’t blame me.”
As he spoke, he began to unfasten the buttons on his suit jacket—one by one- The entire crowd froze in horror.
Screams erupted. Some guests bolted for the exits in a full–blown panic.
Hanison’s face went pale. “Damien! What the hell do y
think you’re doing?”
-until the front of his coat fell open, revealing a bomb strapped to his chest.
“I just want ten minutes alone with Aurelia. That’s all. I just want to say a proper goodbye before I go.
IL
“She has nothing to say to you! You’re insane!” Harrison roared. “You’ve got a bomb strapped to your body. How the hell could I let my daughter anywhere near you?”
Damien said darkly, his voice low, “Then, I guess I’ll have to detonate it. Let’s all die together.”
