Elena stood at the altar, heart racing, eyes locked on Liam Harrington—the man she believed was her forever. The grand cathedral was adorned with white lilies and golden chandeliers, their glow reflecting the joy in her gaze. Friends and family watched with smiles, some with tears of happiness. Yet, among the sea of faces, her parents’ expressions were heavy, shadows of concern lurking behind their smiles.

“You’re giving up so much,” her mother had whispered the night before. “Don’t lose yourself, Elena.”

But Elena had laughed it off, her heart too full to entertain doubts. She loved Liam, and love was supposed to conquer all, wasn’t it? The man waiting for her at the altar was charming, successful, and hers. Surely, they could face any challenge together.

As she took his hands, warmth spread through her, solidifying her belief that this was meant to be. The vows they exchanged felt timeless, words of love and commitment echoing against the vaulted ceilings.

“I, Liam Harrington, take you, Elena Montgomery, to be my wife... for better, for worse... till death do us part.”

His voice was steady, sincere. Elena’s heart swelled as she repeated her own vows, voice trembling with emotion. She glanced at her parents once more, catching her father’s furrowed brow, his jaw tight as if holding back words he wished he’d said sooner.

But as the priest pronounced them husband and wife, all her doubts evaporated. Their first kiss as husband and wife was met with applause and laughter, the perfect end to a perfect ceremony.

She felt invincible. She was Elena Harrington now. The name tasted sweet on her tongue, a promise of a beautiful future.

Hand in hand, they walked down the aisle, the world at their feet. Elena barely noticed the calculating gaze from her new mother-in-law, Eleanor, lips curving into a smile that didn’t reach her eyes.

Nor did she see the fleeting shadow pass over Liam’s face, his jaw tightening before he turned to her with that charming smile she adored.

To Elena, it was a perfect day. A dream wedding.

But dreams have a way of twisting into nightmares. And this was only the beginning.

The reception was a masterpiece of elegance. Crystal chandeliers cast a golden glow over tables draped in ivory silk, each adorned with cascading arrangements of white roses and gold-tipped orchids. Soft music floated through the air as guests mingled, glasses of champagne shimmering under the lights.

The evening drifted into a haze of laughter and celebration. Elena felt like she was walking on air as she moved through the room, her fingers intertwined with Liam’s. Every time she looked at him, her heart skipped, her mind whispering, This is it. This is my forever.

They cut the towering wedding cake, its intricate gold detailing shimmering under the crystal chandeliers. Cheers erupted as they fed each other delicate bites, laughing when Liam playfully smeared a tiny bit of frosting on her nose.

“You’re trouble,” she teased, wiping it away.

“You married trouble,” he shot back with a wink, leaning in to kiss her.

The guests cooed and clapped, and Elena felt warmth spread through her, wrapping her in the glow of love and joy. She leaned into Liam, inhaling his familiar scent, grounding herself in this perfect moment.

As the night wore on, the dance floor filled with swaying couples. Liam pulled her close, his arms strong and steady around her. They moved to the soft rhythm, his breath warm against her cheek as he whispered, “I love you, Mrs. Harrington.”

Her heart fluttered at the name, a giggle escaping her lips. “I love you too, Mr. Harrington.”

She closed her eyes, letting herself sink into the music, into his embrace, into the dream she’d always wanted.

But even in this perfect moment, shadows loomed.

Elena’s parents sat near the back, their faces tight with worry. Her father’s jaw was clenched, his eyes following every move Liam made. Her mother’s hand rested on his arm, her fingers gripping tightly, as if to keep him from speaking.

“It’s her choice,” her mother whispered, her eyes glistening. “She believes in him. We have to trust her.”

Her father’s mouth pressed into a thin line. “I just hope her faith isn’t misplaced.”

Across the room, Eleanor watched them with keen eyes, her posture elegant, her face a mask of polite interest. But her gaze was calculating, dissecting every interaction, every glance. Her fingers tapped rhythmically against her glass as she observed Elena’s parents, a subtle smirk playing on her lips.

Victoria leaned in, her voice low. “I still don’t understand why he chose her.”

Eleanor’s eyes never left Elena. “Because he’s foolish. But that can be corrected.”

Victoria’s brow arched. “And if it can’t?”A chill danced down Eleanor’s spine, her smile sharpening. “Then she’ll learn her place. One way or another.”

Elena felt a shiver and glanced around, suddenly uneasy. But when she looked back at Liam, his smile was so warm, so genuine, that her worries melted away. She leaned her head on his shoulder, letting his heartbeat lull her back into the dream.

But some dreams are too perfect to be real. And Elena’s was woven with threads of illusion.

As the night wore on and the guests began to leave, Liam led her to their bridal suite, his fingers intertwined with hers. The room was a vision of romance—rose petals scattered across the bed, candles flickering softly. He lifted her into his arms, her laughter echoing as he carried her across the threshold.

They made promises in the dark, whispered vows that went beyond what they had spoken before their loved ones. Elena clung to every word, her heart full, her soul complete.

And yet, as she drifted to sleep in his arms, the shadows crept in. Unseen. Unheard.

In the empty ballroom, a lone figure stood, fingers trailing along the white tablecloths, a cold smile curving her lips. Eleanor moved through the room, her presence haunting, her gaze cold. She paused at the spot where Liam and Elena had danced, her eyes narrowing.

She could still hear their laughter, see the way he looked at his new bride. It was wrong. All wrong.

She would fix it. She had to.

Turning on her heel, she walked away, her steps echoing softly. The dream had begun, yes. But so had the nightmare.

And Elena, blissfully asleep, had no idea which was which.

Elena felt like she was floating, her hand never leaving Liam’s as they made their rounds, thanking guests for coming. Every smile, every congratulatory embrace felt like another layer of bliss. Her heart was full, her dreams alive.

“You look beautiful,” Liam whispered, his lips brushing her ear. A blush crept up her cheeks, and she squeezed his hand, her heart skipping a beat.

“Only because I’m with you,” she replied, her voice soft and sincere. He laughed, the sound rich and warm, drawing her closer.

Yet, as they moved from table to table, she couldn’t shake the coldness in Eleanor’s eyes. Her new mother-in-law was perfect in every way—elegant and poised, her platinum blonde hair perfectly styled, her smile charming but distant.

“You must be so proud,” Elena said, her voice a little too eager as she looked at Eleanor. “Your son is the most wonderful man.”

Eleanor’s smile didn’t falter, but something flickered in her eyes—something calculating, almost dismissive. “Indeed,” she replied smoothly. “I’ve raised him well.” Her gaze swept over Elena, lingering a moment too long. “I trust you’ll live up to the Harrington name.”

The words were wrapped in silk but cut like glass. Elena’s smile wavered. “Of course. I... I’ll do my best.”

Eleanor’s lips curved into that perfectly composed smile. “I’m sure you will.” But her eyes said something different. They held judgment, expectation, a warning.

Before Elena could respond, Liam’s sister, Victoria, appeared, her laughter bright and effortless as she hugged her brother. “Oh, Liam, I still can’t believe you actually settled down. And with...” She looked at Elena, a glint of mischief in her eyes. “...someone so unexpected.”

Elena’s heart sank. She forced a smile, hoping the sting didn’t show. “I suppose love surprises us all.”

Victoria’s laugh was light, dismissive. “I suppose.” She turned to Liam. “Have you heard from Isabelle? She sent the most beautiful bouquet. Such a shame she couldn’t be here. You two were always so...” She paused, her gaze sliding to Elena. “...close.”

Elena’s stomach tightened. Isabelle. The ex-girlfriend she’d heard so much about. The one everyone expected Liam to marry. She looked up at Liam, her eyes searching his face. For just a second, his expression faltered, eyes flickering with something she couldn’t quite place.

“She’s just an old friend,” he said, his voice too casual. “Nothing more.”

Elena wanted to believe him. She needed to believe him. She smiled, ignoring the twist in her gut. “Of course.”

But the shadow in his eyes lingered, and she wondered, just for a moment, if she had really left all ghosts behind.

As the night wore on, she danced with Liam, their first dance as husband and wife. He held her close, his hands warm and strong, his eyes fixed on her as if she was the only one in the room.

The world faded away, and Elena felt safe, cherished, loved. Her worries melted, her doubts erased by his touch, his whispered promises.But across the ballroom, Eleanor watched them, her face expressionless, fingers wrapped tightly around her champagne glass. Victoria leaned in, whispering something that made Eleanor’s lips curve into a cold, knowing smile.

Elena didn’t see it. She was lost in the dance, in her husband’s arms, in the dream she believed was real.

But dreams are fragile things. And Elena’s was already beginning to crack.

Morning sunlight streamed through the sheer curtains, casting golden patterns across the room. Elena stirred, a sleepy smile curling on her lips as she felt Liam’s arms around her. She nestled closer, inhaling his familiar scent, the warmth of his body grounding her in the beautiful reality of their first day as husband and wife.

“Good morning, Mrs. Harrington,” Liam’s voice was husky with sleep, his lips brushing her forehead.

Elena’s heart fluttered, her smile widening. “Good morning, Mr. Harrington.”

She looked up into his emerald eyes, finding them soft and full of affection. For a moment, she felt like the luckiest woman in the world. Her fingers traced the strong line of his jaw as she whispered, “I can’t believe we’re married.”

Liam chuckled, his grip tightening around her. “Believe it. You’re mine now... forever.”

His words were sweet, but something in his tone made a shiver dance down her spine. She looked up, his face already buried in her hair, and the moment passed.

They spent the morning wrapped in each other’s arms, talking about the wedding, laughing over little mishaps she hadn’t even noticed—like his best man nearly tripping on the altar steps or the flower girl who stubbornly refused to walk down the aisle.

“You didn’t see any of it, did you?” Liam teased, his fingers playfully tracing circles on her bare shoulder. “You were so focused on me.”

Elena blushed, swatting his chest. “Well, you were the only thing that mattered.”

His gaze softened, his hand cupping her face as his thumb gently stroked her cheek. “And you always will be.”

She melted under his touch, her heart swelling with love.

After a leisurely breakfast in bed, they prepared to visit his family for the traditional post-wedding lunch. Elena’s stomach fluttered with nerves as she slipped into a soft blue dress, smoothing out imaginary wrinkles.

“They’re going to love you,” Liam said, wrapping his arms around her waist from behind, his chin resting on her shoulder. “Just like I do.”Elena leaned into him, letting his confidence steady her. “I hope so.”

But as they pulled up to the grand Harrington estate, Elena’s nerves returned. The mansion loomed before them, an architectural masterpiece of white stone and sprawling gardens. It was majestic, imposing... cold.

Eleanor greeted them at the door, her smile warm but her eyes calculating. “Elena, darling. Welcome to the family.” Her words were polite, her tone sweet, but her gaze raked over Elena, sharp and assessing.

Elena smiled, feeling exposed under Eleanor’s scrutinizing stare. “Thank you, Mrs. Harrington. I’m honored to be a part of it.”

Eleanor’s lips curved just slightly, her eyes gleaming. “Of course you are.”

Liam didn’t seem to notice, his hand firm on Elena’s back as he guided her inside. The house was breathtaking—marble floors, crystal chandeliers, priceless art adorning every wall. It felt like walking into a museum.

They entered the dining room, where Victoria awaited, her expression cool, a glass of red wine perched elegantly between her manicured fingers.

“Elena,” she drawled, her voice silky. “Congratulations.”

“Thank you, Victoria,” Elena replied, her smile unwavering. “I’m so happy to be here.Victoria’s eyes flicked over her, a faint smirk playing on her lips. “I’m sure you are.”

Elena felt her confidence waver, but Liam’s hand on hers grounded her. They sat beside each other, his thumb gently stroking her knuckles under the table.

Lunch was a formal affair, served by uniformed staff who moved with silent precision. The conversation was polite but guarded, filled with niceties and subtle barbs that Elena struggled to navigate.