Alex stood at the altar, his heart thumping so hard he could feel it in his throat. The church was packed with people. Flowers lined every corner. Soft music played as everyone waited for the event to begin.
It had been three days since the killing in the basement. Three days since Sara had been taken. Three days since Sophia was rushed to the hospital, fighting for her life.
And now, somehow, Alex was still getting married.
When the doctor called to say Sophia would live, everyone cried with joy. Her first words when she woke up were, "Is the wedding still on?"
No one had the heart to tell her no. Not after what she'd been through. Not after she'd risked her life to save Alex and Ethan.
So here he was, in his black suit, waiting for his bride.
"Are you sure about this?" Uncle Ramon whispered next to him. He was Alex's best man now that Ethan had refused the job.
"I don't know," Alex said honestly. "But I owe her this much, don't I?"
Uncle Ramon shook his head. "You don't owe anyone a lifetime, son."
Before Alex could answer, the music changed. Everyone stood up and turned toward the doors at the back of the church. They opened slowly, showing Sophia in her white dress.
She was beautiful, even with her arm in a sling from the gunshot wound. Her father held her other arm, helping her walk down the aisle. Her face was pale, but she was smiling.
Alex looked past her to the back of the church, where Ethan stood alone. Their eyes met, and Alex felt a jolt of pain in his chest. Ethan's face was a mask of hurt and anger.
Sophia reached the altar, and her father put her hand in Alex's.
"Take care of my daughter," Mr. Martinez said, his voice shaking.
"I will," Alex promised, though the words felt hollow.
The priest began the service. As he spoke about love and loyalty, Alex's mind raced. He thought about Sophia's kindness, how she'd tried to save him from her sister. He thought about his family's hopes. He thought about Ethan, standing alone at the back of the church, watching him marry someone else.
"If anyone can show just cause why this couple cannot lawfully be joined together in matrimony, let them speak now or forever hold their peace," the priest said.
The church was quiet. Alex turned slightly, looking back at Ethan again. For a moment, he thought Ethan might say something. But Ethan just stood there, his hands in fists at his sides.
The priest continued. Soon, it was time for the vows.
"Do you, Alexander Rivera, take Sophia Martinez to be your lawfully wedded wife?" the priest asked. "To have and to hold, from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, till death do you part?"
This was it. The moment of truth. All Alex had to say was "I do," and he would be married to Sophia. His family would be happy. The Martinez family would be saved from financial ruin. It was the right thing to do.
But as he opened his mouth, no words came out.
"Alexander?" the priest asked.
Alex looked at Sophia. Her blue eyes were fixed on his face, waiting.
"I..." Alex started. His voice shook. "I..."
Sophia squeezed his hand. "It's okay," she whispered. "Tell the truth."
Alex took a deep breath. "I can't," he said, loud enough for everyone to hear. "I'm sorry, Sophia. I can't say 'I do' when my heart belongs to someone else."
A gasp went through the church. Alex's mother stood up from her seat in the front row. "Alex!" she hissed. "What are you doing?"
"I'm being honest," Alex said. He turned to face the guests. "I'm in love with Ethan Carter. I have been for years."
Another scream, louder this time. Alex saw his father's face turn red with anger. Mr. Martinez looked like he might faint.
But none of that mattered. All that counted was the look on Ethan's face—shock, hope, and something else. Something like love.
"I'm so sorry, Sophia," Alex said, turning back to her. "You deserve someone who loves you totally. I can't be that person."
To his surprise, Sophia smiled. "I know," she said softly. "I've always known."
"You have?"
She nodded. "I see the way you look at him. It's the way I want someone to look at me someday."
Relief washed over Alex like a cool breeze. But it didn't last long.
"This is outrageous!" Mr. Martinez yelled, storming up to the altar. "You agreed to marry my daughter! You gave your word!"
"I know, sir, and I'm sorry—"
"Sorry isn't good enough!" Mr. Martinez was red-faced with anger. "Our families had an understanding. Do you know what this will do to our company? To our reputation?"
"Dad, please," Sophia tried to calm him. "This isn't Alex's fault."
"Not his fault?" Mr. Martinez looked like he might burst. "He's humiliating you in front of everyone!"
"No, he's being honest," Sophia said strongly. "I'd rather know the truth now than live a lie for the rest of my life."
Her words seemed to take the fight out of her father. He stepped back, his face falling with failure.
Alex turned toward the back of the church, looking for Ethan. But Ethan was gone. The spot where he'd been standing was empty.
"Ethan?" Alex called, scanning the church. "Where's Ethan?"
No one answered. Panic rose in Alex's chest. Had Ethan left? Had he heard Alex's statement and still walked away?
Just then, the church doors burst open. But it wasn't Ethan who walked in.
It was Sara.
She stood in the doorway, still wearing her jail jumpsuit, her hands no longer cuffed. Behind her was a guy with a gun—a guard, Alex realized. Sara must have fled somehow.
"Nobody move!" Sara shouted. "Or he dies!"
Screams filled the church as guests ducked under chairs. Alex pushed Sophia behind him, trying to hide her from her sister.
"Sara, don't do this," Sophia begged. "Haven't you caused enough pain?"
"Pain?" Sara laughed, a wild, broken sound. "You don't know the meaning of the word! I've been planning this for months, and you ruined everything!"
"The police are on their way," Alex said, trying to keep his voice steady. "You won't get away with this."
"I don't care," Sara hissed. "If I'm going down, I'm taking you with me."
She pulled a second gun from the guard's belt and pointed it directly at Alex.
"Sara, please!" Sophia cried, stepping out from behind Alex. "Don't hurt him!"
"Why not?" Sara asked, her finger on the trigger. "You love him so much? Even after he just embarrassed you in front of everyone?"
"Yes," Sophia said, her voice stronger now. "Because that's what love is, Sara. It's wanting someone to be happy, even if it's not with you."
Sara's hand shook. For a moment, Alex thought she might lower the gun. Then her face hardened again.
"Too bad," she said. "I never learned that lesson."
She fired. Alex closed his eyes, preparing for the bullet.
But the pain never came. Instead, he heard a grunt and felt someone push him away. He opened his eyes just in time to see Ethan fall to the ground in front of him, blood spreading across his chest.
"ETHAN!" Alex screamed, falling to his knees beside him. "No, no, no!"
Ethan looked up at him, his eyes already getting dim. "Had to save you," he whispered. "Couldn't let you go..."
"Stay with me," Alex begged, pressing his hands over the wound to stop the blood. "Please, Ethan, stay with me!"
But Ethan's eyes were closing. His breathing was getting weaker.
In the chaos around them—people screaming, police sirens wailing outside, Sara being tackled to the ground by Uncle Ramon—all Alex could see was Ethan's face, getting paler by the second.
"I love you," Alex whispered, tears falling onto Ethan's shirt. "Don't leave me now. Not when we finally have a chance."
Ethan's lips moved, but no sound came out. His body went limp in Alex's arms.
And Alex's world broke into a million pieces.