The cripple who claimeda principessa novel

7 Chapter 7 The wedding was halfway through when the grand cathedral doors burst open . Just as Rhys and I were about to complete the ceremony and receive our final blessing , the main doors were thrown open with a resounding bang . Julian ran in , panting . When he saw me in Rhys's arms , fury contorted his face . He stormed up to the altar , pointing a trembling finger at his brother . " What the hell is this , Rhys ? Seraphina is my fiancée ! How dare you steal her from me ! " Rhys remained calm . " You're talking nonsense . Father arranged this marriage himself .

When was she ever your fiancée ? " From the front pew , Don Alistair spoke , his voice laced with displeasure . " Julian , this is your brother's wedding . Do not make a scene Julian froze , as if struck by lightning . His voice trembled . " No , that's impossible . The marriage was for Seraphina and me ! Besides , Rhys is a cripple- " Suddenly , as if a switch had been flipped , he grabbed Rhys's collar and roared , " Your leg ! Your leg is fine ! You've been lying to me . You lied to everyone and you stole my fiancée ! " " Enough ! " Alistair slammed his hand on the table .

His power as the Don silenced the entire room . He pointed a finger at the sacred marriage contract on its stand . " That contract is sacred to our family . The name signed on it is Rhys's . That proves he is Seraphina's husband . " A murmur of agreement rippled through the crowd . " That's right . The family traditions have been passed down for generations . The name on the contract is Rhys's ." Another voice chimed in , " Julian postponed their wedding fifty - two times .

It's only now that she's with someone else that he suddenly regrets it ." The whispers reached Julian , pushing him to the breaking point . " It's not like that ! I'm the one who changed the name ! My name was on it ! " The moment the words left his mouth , a hush fell over the cathedral . With that one sentence , he had confessed his own sacrilege . 18:18 1/3 7 Chapter 7 Alistair was livid . " Julian ! Do you have any idea what that contract represents ? How dare you treat our most sacred tradition like game ? This is a desecration of our family's honor!

" Julian panicked , scrambling to explain . " No , Father , it's not like that ! I never thought Seraphina would actually marry him . I thought she'd notice and come back , begging me to change it back , but- " I had no more patience for his excuses . The ceremony was at its climax , and I refused to let him ruin it . I walked toward Julian , and he immediately grabbed my hand as if it were a lifeline . " Seraphina , tell them ! You know I'm your real intended . It was my name on the contract ! " I sighed . " You're right . It used to be your name ." Julian's eyes lit up with hope .

But my next words were a bucket of ice water . " You changed it yourself , Julian . You defiled our marriage contract for Amber with your own two hands . Since you clearly didn't want this wedding , I simply helped you get what you wished for ." Julian shook his head frantically . " No , that was just a stupid bet ! I love you , Seraphina ! I've always wanted to marry you , I was just ... I was busy ! If you had just waited a little longer ... " " But I don't want to wait anymore ! " I cut him off , my voice sharp . " I waited five years for you , Julian .

I gave you the best years of my life . Wasn't that enough ? " I continued , " And what did I get in return ? Betrayal . Indifference . And one disappointment after another ." I took a deep breath , my voice trembling with suppressed rage . " Julian , you make me sick . " Julian's eyes went wide . He looked utterly heartbroken , as if he couldn't comprehend the weight of my words . He had never realized that his endless favors for Amber had eroded every last ounce of my love for him . He muttered , " You were so unhappy ... why didn't you ever tell me ?

" " Every time I tried , you dismissed me , " I said coldly . " You told me I was overreacting , that I was being childish . You never once cared ." Julian's face went pale . He remembered my words , but he'd never truly listened . He 18:18 7 Chapter 7 stood frozen , utterly stunned . When he finally snapped out of his trance , his hand reached for my sleeve , but it was intercepted by a larger one . Rhys stood before him , his expression grim . " I'm sorry , but you need to stay away from my wife . " Julian's rage exploded. He pulled out a gun . " This is all your fault !

If it weren't for you , Seraphina would still be mine ! You stole her ! " He was disarmed in a flash , and the two brothers grappled on the altar . Rhys met his charge head - on , roaring , " You still don't get it , do you ? You're the one who threw her away . You had a queen in your hands and were too damn blind to see it ." They fought viciously , but Julian was soon on the losing end . Finally , Rhys pinned Julian to the floor , his fists raining down on his brother's face . Julian screamed in pain , struggling helplessly Rhys fought without mercy , each blow a lethal strike .

He would have beaten Julian to death right there on the altar if I hadn't cried out for him to stop . Furious that Julian had defiled the wedding , Alistair ordered his men to throw him out . After that brief , violent interruption , my wedding was completed without another hitch . Comment 0 18:18 Lucia Morh Lucia Morh is a passionate storyteller who brings emotions to life through her words. When she's not writing, she finds peace nurturing her garden.