Viona's POV
I blinked. Relentlessly.
My gasp sent my gaze darting in a panic between Rafael and my father.
He was crazy. Absolutely crazy.
This was not in the script.
Ever since he had grabbed my hand and possessively seized my waist, he had changed the entire plan.
It was supposed to end with us asking my father for permission to get engaged later, ensuring the guests and media believed my father was also a victim of the Housleys' lies.
But what was this? He sounded like he was seeking a death sentence from my father.
His request for a blessing was an open challenge. And…
Why did he propose here? Where the hell did he get that ring? Had he been planning this drastic shift all along? My mind raced.
I bit the inside of my cheeks.
The silence thickened. Everyone waited for my answer.
And I had no way out.
I couldn't possibly reject him after I had just declared how madly I was in love with him, could I?
But…
"I… I… Rafael, I…" I stammered.
In that moment of confusion, my gaze caught the sight of today's bride and groom.
Roman looked ready to punch Rafael. His spiteful glare was the first blow.
Vivian desperately tried to hold him back.
I liked this view. Was that jealousy?
I couldn't care.
But that intense gaze must have truly hurt his pride.
He probably never imagined that I could simply walk away from his life.
And…
All the attention they should have received had completely shifted to me.
They were nothing but passersby in my spotlight. What was this feeling?
I smiled, my heart hammering in my chest.
My father's gaze was unreadable. Frightening. But the sheer thrill kept the smile locked on my lips.
I drew a shaky breath as the small, elegant diamond flashed before me.
"Rafael… you… you can't take back your promise later." I stared into his sharp brown eyes and offered my left hand.
"You'd better not run away." He smiled gently. And he placed the ring on my finger. Shamelessly.
Did he prepare all of his romantic speech? Why did he go this far?
A single person clapped, making me turn.
It was Jane. I smiled. Rafael rose from his kneel. And the guests in the nave joined in the applause.
Only the Housleys were silent. And… my parents.
My father only looked down and crossed his legs.
A clear sign he was in deep thought.
That frightened me more.
Even when my mother spoke to him earlier, he maintained his composure. What was he thinking?
Rafael had assured me my father wouldn't dare drag me out by force. But this was too quiet.
"Viona… Congratulations. This is for you." Vivian approached, handing me the bridal bouquet. "I wondered who would catch the bouquet, but it's yours now."
"Thank you," I said plainly.
This bouquet was mine to begin with. I kept forcing a genuine smile toward Vivian.
We both knew this was a performance. And the winner was the one who could keep acting until the end.
"Will the two of you run off and get married soon without the family's blessing?" A reporter asked, instantly raising the tension.
Rafael was ready to answer, but I stopped him.
I needed to take the lead voice this time.
"We might. But… our goal for coming to this wedding was to gain my family's blessing. So, we will try hard to get that before we decide to elope or not." I answered.
The main purpose of my cooperation with Rafael today was to destroy the Housleys' credibility. We succeeded.
But the other goal—getting my father's permission to free me from the Island-Housley entanglement—we still needed to achieve.
"So, there won't be any grand wedding again soon?" Another reporter chimed in.
"No—"
"No."
My heart nearly stopped as my voice clashed with my father's.
He stood. Facing the audience.
"There won't be any other wedding." He pivoted to me. "Viona!"
His voice calling my name sent a chilling jolt.
"Y—yes, Father?" I could never be immune to the fear when he called my name like that.
"Do you want to be with him?"
The question hit me in the gut. I cleared my throat.
"Y—Yes… I want to be with him."
"Rafael!"
"Yes, sir?"
"Will you protect her the way I'm protecting her?"
What was with this sudden question? My stomach churned. I could hear Rafael's long exhale.
"Yes. I will protect her." He answered firmly. His fingers tangled tightly with mine.
"Then, what are you two waiting for? Just get married today! Say your wedding vows here. And I will give my blessing."
"Dad—"
"Honey—"
"What are you saying, Chief—"
"Dimitri—"
Everyone was on high alert. My father had just landed the final blow.
"Dad, you can't do that. This is my wedding day. I—" Vivian protested.
"You've already said your vows, haven't you? Your wedding is over," my father said casually but decisively. He walked toward the pastor.
Vivian and the Housleys continued to protest. The guests descended into chaotic whispers again.
And me? I felt like the earth had lost its gravity.
My legs wobbled, my father's words echoing in my mind.
I nearly had a short-breath attack, but Rafael gripped my fingers tight, grounding my composure.
"Let's do this," Rafael whispered beside me.
I shot him a glare.
"It's crazy."
"Nothing we've done so far is normal."
"You deceived me."
"I just changed the plan slightly."
"This is not what you promised—"
He grabbed both my arms, tightly. "Hey… what do you want the most? Freedom, right? Viona…" His voice softened. "Viona Kingston is your freedom. Your father didn't believe our act. He challenged us right now."
He was right. If we refused the challenge, it would backfire instantly.
But if I accepted?
My throat burned dry, realizing I would walk out of this church as Mrs. Kingston.
I stared deep into Rafael's eyes. Should we go this far? Why would he go this far? I couldn't read him. That was what I feared.
But beneath that cold, detached facade, I could hear excitement in his tone.
I didn't know what excited him, but it comforted me. It strangely warmed me. And I hated it. I hated this warm feeling.
"If you both are ready. Please come here." The pastor instructed us to approach the altar.
Rafael took my hand and guided me forward.
I wanted to run, but my feet only moved in reluctant submission.
The room slowly fell silent again, punctuated by whispers of disbelief.
I lived in slow motion. I could only feel the presence of Rafael, standing opposite me before the church pastor.
"In the sight of God and these witnesses, to join this man, Rafael, and this woman, Viona, in holy matrimony. Rafael, you have claimed this woman as your wife. Do you now accept her as your lawfully wedded wife, to protect and cherish, for as long as you both shall live?"
"I do." His firm voice was like an anchor sailing deep into my chest. Confident. Tightened.
Those two easy words.
"Viona, standing here, do you now take Rafael as your lawfully wedded husband, to honor and respect, for as long as you both shall live?"
My chest heaved.
I felt the panic building.
But a slow, single blink from Rafael signaled to me that I could trust him.
What other choice did you have, Viona?
"I do." The words came out like a pain relief.
Rafael moved the ring from my left ring finger to my right.
"Having witnessed your free and public consent, I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may seal your vows with a kiss."
The word kiss snapped me back to reality.
My eyes widened helplessly, my heart fluttering.
Rafael grabbed my waist and pulled me closer, slowly.
It was strange… I should push him away. Yet my fingers curled instead into the lapels of his suit jacket.
I told myself this was a performance.
Still, when his fingers cupped my chin, my face burned. We were both too deep into the act.
It was dangerous.
However, I forced a smile. Half genuine.
The bride never changed.
As our lips met solemnly, I closed my eyes.
The groom had changed.