Chapter 9

On the powdery sands of the Balthian Islands, 300 crystal lamps lit up the private beach so brightly that it looked like daytime. Dressed in the latest wedding dress from a luxury brand designer, I stared at myself in the mirror. I appeared a lot calmer and more poised than I did three years ago. "Ms. Summer," my makeup artist reminded lowly, "there's a gentleman outside—" However, Talia cut her off. "Tell him the bride won't see him." My hands paused in the middle of tidying my wedding veil. "Caleb is still outside?" "He's been kneeling at the beach entrance since last night." Talia rolled her eyes. "Claims he won't get up unless he sees you. Security has tried to chase him away three times, all to no avail." Through the floor to ceiling windows, I could see a man, utterly drenched from the pouring rain. His expensive suit pants was torn from the rough coral, and blood was seeping from his knees. As I watched, he shoved his bodyguard away when the latter came over with an umbre