The soft sound of church bells echoed through the old chapel, mixing with the quiet hum of whispering guests. The aisle was lined with ivory flowers and candles, flickering gently as if holding their breath. Everyones eyes turned toward the bride walking slowly down the aisle.
Alina stepped forward, each movement precise.
Her dress was breathtaking classic lace with a train trailing behind her like smoke. Soft curls framed her face under the veil, lips painted a subtle rose. From the outside, she was perfection.
But beneath the silk and glamour… she was steel.
Agent Alina Cruz.
Trained for combat. Fluent in deception. And today, dressed to kill just not literally. Not yet.
She took measured steps, locking eyes on the man standing near the altar.
Lucien Vale.
His name carried weight. "Fear," Whispers in halls no one dared enter.
He stood tall in a black tailored suit, sharp as a blade. His hair was slicked back neatly, revealing a chiseled face with a jaw like carved stone and deep-set eyes that didn't blink. His presence filled the church like thunderclouds on a calm day.
He looks like someone who doesn't get surprised. Someone who's always five moves ahead.
Alina's heart ticked in her chest. She had studied him file after file, blurry surveillance photos, redacted reports. A suspected criminal hiding in plain sight. And today, she was marrying him under the guise of a wealthy heiress.
The real bride had been removed quietly. Alina had stepped in.
For justice, For answers.
But as she moved closer, something shifted.
Lucien looked up. Their eyes met.
Suddenly, a memory rose, vague but strong. A rainy night. An alley. A shadowed figure turning his head, and her heart skipping, even then.
He was there. I saw him. Not in the files. In life. Why didn't I remember until now?
She swallowed the thought, refocusing as she reached the altar. The priest welcomed them gently, starting the ceremony. Alina recited the vows smoothly. Her hands didn't tremble. Her eyes stayed on Lucien searching, reading.
He repeated his words without hesitation. No warmth.
Like a man rehearsing every part of his life. No mistakes.
The priest smiled. "You may now kiss the bride."
Lucien stepped back slightly, his voice soft and distant. "The wedding is complete. I have business to attend to."
Alina's expression didn't change but her insides sparked.
What kind of groom doesn't kiss his bride? Not even out of courtesy?
She took a sharp breath and moved quickly, decisively. Her hand caught the lapel of his suit, and she pulled him down into a kiss.
Gasps echoed through the pews.
Their lips met firm, hot, and sudden. It wasn't gentle.
Her heartbeat raced as her lips pressed to his. His scent woodsmoke and something darker wrapped around her senses.
If you're human, you'll react. If you're hiding something, I'll find it here.
She started to pull back, satisfied that she had stirred something...
But he didn't let go.
Lucien's hand slid around her waist. He caught her wrist gently. His fingers brushed the side of her face, and before she could process it, he leaned back in and kissed her.
"What is happening? Was this part of his act... or something else?,"
She felt the way his breath matched hers, the press of his lips no longer cold or indifferent. It wasn't just a kiss it was a crack in the wall she had been trained to breach.
His forehead rested against hers, eyes half-closed.
Their lips moved together now, a rhythm that felt almost too natural, too good. Heat flared between them, seeping into her bones. His hand on her back pressed her closer, locking her to him like he feared she'd slip away.
Alina's thoughts tangled.
This wasn't part of the plan. This kiss… it feels like something real. Something he's giving willingly.
She tried to find the edge in his touch, something cold, something cruel but she didn't feel it.
His kiss was deliberate. Focused. As if he wanted to memorize the shape of her mouth. As if he remembered her too.
When he finally pulled away, he didn't step back. Instead, his forehead gently rested against hers. His breath was steady. Controlled.
"You're not who you seem," he whispered.
Alina's lips parted. Her heart stuttered.
"And neither are you."