Chapter 77
Adeline West.
The cool evening breeze swept across my face as I stood at the altar, staring at the man who had just shattered my world. Killian Volkov. The wedding had been perfect, every detail planned down to the last flower petal, until Killian walked in, his presence like a storm brewing on the horizon.
His words echoed in my mind-“There’s no wedding happening today.” The chaos that followed blurred into one long, painful moment. Guests were murmuring in shock, their voices rising as confusion spread. I felt like I was in a nightmare, the ground slipping from under my feet.
Sebastian stood beside me, his body tense, radiating barely contained fury. I could feel the anger vibrating off him as he turned to face Killian.
“Get out,” Sebastian growled, his voice low but dangerous. “This isn’t your place, Killian. Leave
But Killian’s icy stare never wavered. His Beta, Damien, and a group of his wolves stood behind him, unmoving, like a wall of impenetrable force. Behind them, Killian’s grandfather, Samuel Volkov, one of the pack elders, stood silently, his expression unreadable.
The tension was palpable, thick enough to choke on. Every second that passed felt like a ticking bomb waiting to explode.
“This is a family matter,” Killian said, his voice steady and calm, but with an undercurrent of something dark. His eyes flicked at me briefly before settling back on Sebastian. “Everyone else should leave.”
Sebastian’s Beta, Gamma, and the wolves loyal to him didn’t move. Their loyalty was unshakable, and they weren’t going to leave on Killian’s command. But when Sebastian subtly gestured for them to stand down, they hesitated for a moment before slowly stepping away.
“Are you out of your mind?” Sebastian seethed, taking a step toward Killian. “Get out before—”
“Before what?” Killian interrupted, his cold eyes narrowing. “Before you marry her and take what’s mine?”
His words struck like a blow, and I gasped. I wasn’t his. I was no one’s possession. This had gone too far. The sinking feeling in my gut deepened, and dread curled in the pit of my stomach. I glanced at the twins, standing a few feet away, their wide eyes flickering between Killian, Sebastian, and me.
They didn’t fully understand what was happening, but they could sense the tension. Bridget still looked up to Killian with that familiar awe in her eyes, while Tristan… Tristan’s face was clouded with anger.
I couldn’t let them be part of this.
“Elena,” I said, my voice barely steady. “Take the twins inside.”
Elena, who had been standing near the aisle, nodded immediately and stepped forward, her face full of concern.
“I want to stay!” Tristan protested, glaring up at Killian. His little hands were balled into fists, his jaw clenched with defiance. My heart clenched at the sight of him, standing there like a little warrior, ready to fight.
“Not now, Tristan,” I said softly, kneeling in front of him. I could see the hurt and confusion in his eyes, but this was not a battle he could fight. “Please go with Elena. I’ll explain everything later, I promise.”
Bridget, sensing the tension but not fully grasping it, tugged on Tristan’s sleeve. “Come on, Tris. Let’s go.”
With one last reluctant look at Killian, Tristan allowed Elena to take his hand, and the three of them disappeared into the house. As soon as they were out of sight, I exhaled slowly, trying to steady myself.
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Chapter 77
The silence that followed was suffocating. The guests had all left, save for those closest to us–Sebastian Mary and the Volkovs. It was just us now. The eye of the storm.
Killian’s gaze was back on me, intense and unreadable. “We need to talk, Adeline. Alone.”
Sebastian’s hand shot out protectively, gripping my arm. “No,” he said firmly. “You’re not talking to her alone.”
“Sebastian,” I whispered, squeezing his hand in a silent plea. I couldn’t afford for things to escalate into violence. Not now,
“It’s okay.” I said.
“No, it’s not,” he shot back, his voice tight with frustration. “Whatever he has to say, it’s nothing good. You don’t have to
sten to him.”
But Killian wasn’t backing down. “This isn’t your choice, Sebastian,” he said, his tone hard. “This is between Adeline and me”
“I am her choice,” Sebastian snapped, his anger flaring. “You’re the one who destroyed everything. You think you can just walk back in and claim whatever you want?”
The tension in the air was razor sharp, and for a moment, I thought they might come to blows. I couldn’t let that happen. I stepped between them, my heart pounding, before turning to face Sebastian.
“Let me talk to him,” I said softly but firmly. His eyes searched mine, filled with worry and protectiveness but also understanding. He knew that this conversation was inevitable.
Reluctantly, Sebastian took a step back, his jaw clenched. “I’ll be right outside,” he push your luck.” He said.
did, his eyes narrowing at Killian. “Don’t
I nodded, my pulse racing as everyone else cleared out, leaving me and Killian alone in the stillness of the outdoor clearing. The air around us crackled with unresolved tension. I could barely breathe.
Killian stood before me, tall and imposing, his face unreadable. For a long moment, we just stared at each other. Last time we met, he said some really hurtful things to me, accusing me of having an affair with Sebastian while we were still married. I don’t know what he’s going to accuse me of now. Whatever it is, I’m not going to back down today.
“What do you want, Killian?” I asked, my voice cold but shaky. “Why are you doing this? What could possibly be so important that you had to ruin my wedding?”
“I didn’t ruin anything,” he replied quietly, his gaze unwavering. “I’m here to tell you the truth. About everything.”
I scoffed, crossing my arms over my chest. “The truth? The truth about what, Killian? Why should I believe anything you say?”
Killian’s jaw clenched. “Because this time, I have proof.”
I raised an eyebrow, my heart hammering in my chest. Proof? What proof could he possibly have that would change anything?
He took a deep breath, his gaze flickering with something close to regret. “Adeline… the night in the meeting hall. The man you saved… the man who… who forced himself on you.”
I flinched at the memory, my stomach twisting. That night had been a nightmare, something I had tried to bury deep within me. The faceless man I had saved that night and the things that followed later still haunted my dreams.
“That man,” Killian continued, his voice low and steady, “was me.”
My breath caught in my throat. For a moment, I couldn’t comprehend his words. It felt like the ground beneath me was shifting, like I was caught in some cruel, twisted version of reality.
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Chapter 77
“No.” I whispered, shaking my head. “No, that’s not possible. You’re lying.”
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“I’m not lying.” Killian said, stepping closer, his eyes pleading with me to believe him. “I didn’t know it was you that night Adeline. I swear to you, I didn’t. I was injured and out of my mind, and you… you saved me. But I was too far gone to recognize who you were. When I realized it later, it was too late.”
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I felt sick, like I couldn’t breathe. My mind raced, trying to make sense of his words, but it was impossible. How could he be the one from that night? How could he be the father of my children?
“That doesn’t make any sense,” I spat, my voice trembling. “Why didn’t you say anything before? Why now?”
“I didn’t know until recently,” Killian said, his face tightening with frustration. “But I have proof. I can show you.”
He reached into his coat and pulled out a folder. I eyed it warily, my heart pounding as he handed it to me.
“What is this?” I asked, my voice barely above a whisper.
“Surveillance footage from the meeting hall,” he said quietly. “It shows us together that night. And DNA reports proving that Tristan and Bridget are mine.”
My hands shook as I opened the folder, staring at the documents inside. The first few pages were the DNA results, clear as day. Killian Volkov was the father of my children.
“No,” I whispered again, my throat closing up. “This can’t be true.”
“It is,” Killian said softly. “I’m their father, Adeline. And I’m not going to let you marry another man without knowing the truth.”
Tears welled in my eyes as I stared at the evidence in front of me. The surveillance footage, the reports… It all pointed to the same horrifying truth.
Tristan and Bridget were his children.
SEND GIFT
