Chapter 0400 Chapter 0400 The starâcrossed lovers were finally having their happy ending.
So why did it feel so wrong?
+25 BONUS Noah arrived at the altar, his heart pounding in his chest. The chapel was beautifully decorated just as Zoe wanted, white flowers and gauzy fabrics adorning every surface. Guests filled the pews, their excited chatter a low hum in the background:
Everything was perfect. Everything was as it should be Only one thing was missing: Noahâs heart.
Itâs just nerves, he thought to himself. That was all; nerves. Cold feet, maybe. He was just traumatized after that awful marriage to... to...
Hannah.
Wait. This wasnât right. This...
The music started, and all eyes turned to the back of the chapel.
Zoe appeared in the doorway, a vision in white. Her dress was stunning, hugging her curves before flowing out into a dramatic train. A delicate veil covered her face, but Noah could see the radiant smile beneath it.
As she began her walk down the aisle, Noah felt a sudden, sharp pain behind his eyes. A flash of... something. A memory?
He was coming home late last night, although he couldnât remember why. Zoe was there, her face twisted with fury. She was throwing something into the fireplace, the flames leaping higher with each item she tossed in.
Scott was there, too. âGet him, Scott! Quickly, while I get the tea!â
A scuffle. A broken vase. Scott holding Noah down as Zoe poured something down his throat. The... tea. It tasted bitter, wrong.
âHow dare you,â Zoe had said, her voice dripping with venom. âYou should never have gone there... You should never have talked to her!â
Noah blinked hard, shaking his head to clear the disturbing image. What was that? A dream? A nightmare? It couldnât have been real. His eternal moonlight, his Zoe, would never do something like that to him.
Zoe reached the altar, her smile radiant as she took Noahâs hands in hers. Her nails dug into his skin, though, just a little too hard to be comfortable. And as Noah looked into her eyes, he saw something flash there. Something cold. Something... terrifying.
For a moment, just a moment, Noah felt afraid of her. And Noah wasnât afraid of anything.
The priest began the ceremony, his voice echoing throughout the chapel. âDearly beloved, we are gathered here today...â
+25 BONUS Chapter 0400 Noah barely heard the words, too distracted by the look in Zoeâs eyes. Something was wrong. He didnât want to be here, he didnât-
âZoe,â the priest said, âdo you take Noah as your husband?â
Zoeâs smile widened, her eyes never leaving Noahâs face. âI do,â she said, her voice filled with warmth and love. But her nails dug even deeper into Noahâs hands, and he had to fight not to wince.
âNoah,â the priest continued, turning to him. âDo you take Zoe as your wife?â
Noah opened his mouth, the words on the tip of his tongue. This was it. This was the moment heâd been waiting for for years. All he had to do was say two simple words.
â...â
Suddenly, the doors at the back of the chapel burst open with a resounding bang. Gasps and shocked murmurs rippled through the crowd as all heads turned to see the cause of the commotion.
There, in the doorway, stood Hannah. She was wearing her dressing gown, her body illuminated through the thin fabric by the sunlight pouring in from behind her. Her hair was wild and unkempt, and she held something up in her hand.
âStop this wedding!â she cried out.
Several guards were trying to drag her back by her arms, but she fought against them and chucked the item down the aisle, causing nearby guests to jump in fear. The item skittered across the marble floor, finally coming to a stop just feet away from the altar.
Noah leaned forward, squinting.
A... A seashell. With a leather strap that had been cut by a knife.