The 99th Game Was Mine All Along novel Chapter 69

Third Person's POV

On his wedding day, Kayden lingered in his tuxedo, feeling strangely reluctant to join the procession. Some inexplicable force pulled him toward Gabriella's room.

Finding it empty sent an unexpected jolt through him. He pushed away his unease, convincing himself she must be at the venue helping with preparations.

Today was supposed to be perfect - marrying the woman he'd always wanted, with their baby on the way. His dream life was falling into place. Yet something felt off.

Then he saw Charlotte in her wedding dress, and everything else faded away. She was stunning - everything he'd imagined during all those years of wanting her.

He wasn't alone in his appreciation. Ryan, her lifelong friend, couldn't take his eyes off her. But Kayden wasn't threatened by some broke pretty boy with smooth talk and nothing else to offer.

Making a point, he pulled Charlotte into a kiss right in front of Ryan before escorting her to their waiting car.

Throughout the ceremony, he kept noticing Gabriella's absence. He told himself she was just avoiding the wedding, too heartbroken to watch him marry someone else.

The next day, he and Charlotte left for their honeymoon in Bali, Gabriella's absence already forgotten in their newlywed bliss.

It stung his ego. How dare she cut him off so completely? But then he rationalized - of course she had to leave. He was married now, with a baby coming.

Whatever. He had everything he wanted. Gabriella's absence didn't matter.

Actually, he thought, trying to convince himself, it was better this way. More peaceful.

But the empty silence in her wake felt anything but peaceful.