დ Rowan დ
Elara ran. She sprinted down the aisle, past the guests, through the rows of white chairs and shattered expectations. The sight of her, hair flying, arms pumping, the sound of her breath rough with heartbreak, left the whole world spinning. Nobody followed her. Not Aidan, who stood frozen at the altar. Not Celeste, who looked as if her dream day had just been ruined. Not any of the guests, who mostly stared, half-shocked, half-secretly thrilled to have such a story to carry home. Gossip was king, that much was clear. I watched her disappear around the corner, and my heart clawed at my ribs. My timing had been wrong. I knew that. I had failed to say the words before now. But I couldn’t go after her. Even I knew that. Elara needed space. And I realized with a heavy heart that I ne
