Elias’s POV
Today was supposed to be my wedding day with Harper.
I’d taken care of her ever since my nephew died, protecting her and keeping her safe.
Harper said it was her dream–to have a Ward baby. To honor my promises of protecting her, I gave her the child she wanted.
But I didn’t think I did anything wrong.
In my mind, all I was doing was granting her wish and fulfilling an obligation.
After Lila was born, Harper started talking about marriage.
She didn’t want her daughter labeled a bastard.
And I agreed. Once again, it was just for honoring the promise of taking care of her.
Today, everything was going smoothly. The church was packed. The music soft and golden. Harper looked radiant in the white gown I picked for her, practically floating down the aisle like a dream.
It was all exactly how she wanted. Perfect.
jit
We stood at the altar, facing each other, exchanging vows and rings.
I slid the band onto her finger. She smiled, glowing.
And just as the priest opened his mouth to pronounce us—1
-My assistant rushed to my side, pale and shaking, leaning in so only I could hear.
“Mr. Ward,” he whispered, urgent, “Mrs. Ward has gone missing. We believe your rivalry took her again. And this time, the twins too. They…left a video for you to watch.”
My blood froze. “A video?” I rasped.
He nodded, trembling. “A video of them killing Mrs. Ward–and the twins.”
My knees buckled.
I stumbled back a step, the weight of the words crashing into me like a brick wall.
That couldn’t be right.
“Bring me my phone!” I shouted, barely registering the stares from the guests or the way Harper turned to look at me. “Now!”
I’d handed off my phone to my assistant before the ceremony. I hadn’t wanted interruptions or any distractions.
My assistant’s whole face went pale.
“Here. Boss,” he stammered “You said not to interrupt you, so I didn’t say anything at first. But the video… it looked too serious. I couldn’t wait anymore.”
I snatched the phone from his hand, my pulse hammering.
“I thought I got rid of all those thugs after Noa came back,” I muttered, more to myself than anyone else.
“You did, boss,” he whispered. “But they must’ve had connections. Reinforcements. Somehow, they came back.”
I stood there frozen, phone in hand, thumb hovering over the video.
It took everything in me just to press play.
And then I saw it.
The footage was dark, grainy. The backdrop was an old warehouse–concrete floor, stacks of broken crates, shadows in every corner.
