The Altar and the Mistress

1
The vows were on our lips when the doors to the chapel burst open. My groom, Lucian Vance, head of a weapons empire, was about to become a husband.
And, it seemed, a father.
He stiffened, then immediately released my hands and grabbed his jacket, ready to bolt.
Arabella, shes in trouble. I have to go, he said, his voice urgent, his eyes devoid of a single shred of guilt for the woman he was about to leave at the altar.
A hush fell over the cathedral. Every guest, every powerful figure from the citys underworld, turned to stare.
Lucian, I dont give a damn who Isla is, I said, my voice ringing out, clear and cold. But this isnt just our wedding. Its an alliance between the Vance and Stanton families. Are you willing to burn that bridgeto break that treatyfor a mistress?
Lucian froze, clearly stunned that I would challenge him so publicly.
The whispers from the pews grew louder.
That poor Stanton girl. Finding out on her wedding day he has another woman
I heard shes some nightclub dancer. And pregnant with his child
In another life, I threw a fit. I threatened to kill myself to stop him from leaving, forcing him to complete the ceremony.
But Isla died in childbirth, along with their son. He never even got to say goodbye.
For that, he hated me. He locked me away in a gilded cage, a sunless villa where I became his prisoner. And when it was my turn to give birth, he smiled and told the doctors to remove a bullet from one of his men first, leaving me to bleed out on a cold operating table.
This life, I would make sure everyone knew that the Vances had betrayed me first.
This life, Lucian Vance would pay for his choice.
Mr. Vance, its an emergency! Miss Isla is in labor, and the doctors say its a difficult birth! They said you have to come now!
A young woman with a perfectly made-up face burst into the ceremony, interrupting us. She fell to her knees, tears streaming down her face. Mr. Vance, please, you have to save Miss Isla! Shes carrying your child!
My grip on my bouquet tightened. Across from me, Lucians face had gone pale with shock. What did you say? A difficult birth? How?
He was about to abandon the entire wedding, all our guests, and run.
In my last life, this was the moment I stopped him, forcing him to finish the wedding and sealing his eternal hatred for me.
This time, I wouldnt stand in his way.
I ripped the veil from my head. Lucian, who is Isla? And why is she saying shes pregnant with your child?
I let my voice tremble, my face a mask of shock and devastation. The guests immediately turned their sympathetic gazes upon me.
The whispers started again. Poor Arabella. Her wedding isnt even over, and her husbands mistress is giving birth.
This is a major union between two families. The Vances are showing zero respect for the Stantons.
Lucian shot me an impatient look. Arabella, its my child. I cant let her die. Ill explain later. He turned to leave again.
Wait. I stepped in front of him. Today is our wedding day. Youre going to leave me at the altar for another woman, in front of all these people? What does that say about the Stanton familys honor?
If you already had someone you loved, why didnt you say so? Why did you wait until our wedding day to humiliate me?
A Stanton woman does not have to beg to be married into the Vance family.
Lucian shoved my hand away. Im not refusing to marry you, but this is a matter of life and death! I cant just ignore it!
My eyes reddened, and a single tear traced a perfect path down my cheek. But this alliance was set in stone by our families. The invitations have been sent, the contracts signed. If you walk out that door right now, this union is void. You can explain that to our parents tomorrow.
My tears began to fall like broken pearls.
This time, I had learned how to play the victim.
I would make sure the entire world knew that Lucian Vance, and the entire Vance family, had wronged me.
Lucians parents, their faces burning with shame from the surrounding gossip, finally stepped in. Lucian, stop this nonsense! Today is your wedding day with Arabella. You cant just walk out!
Get back here and finish the ceremony! his father commanded.
The young assistant fell to her knees again. Sir, Madam, Miss Isla is carrying the Vance familys first grandson! Can you really be so heartless?
Mr. Vance, she followed you without a title or a name, willing to bear your children. Are you really going to let her die?
Lucian echoed her plea. Father, Mother, thats your grandson. Can you truly stand by and do nothing?
He then turned his cold eyes back to me. Since this is a family alliance, the marriage is inevitable. Why the rush? Or is the precious Stanton daughter that desperate to marry into the Vance family? Its a bit pathetic, dont you think?
His tone softened slightly. Arabella, I know youre a reasonable woman. Once youre Mrs. Vance, Im sure you and Isla can learn to get along, cant you?
A bitter laugh escaped my lips. Lucian, you and I are not yet married. This ceremony is not complete. I have no intention of playing sisters with your mistress.
I threw my bouquet to the ground. If you insist on saving her, I wont stop you. But the alliance between our families cannot be jeopardized by your personal affairs.
Can the Vance family afford the price of breaking our contract?
Lucians fathers face was a mask of fury. Lucian, this deal is worth billions! Are you going to risk our entire family for some woman?
Lucian was dismissive. Father, I already agreed to the alliance, didnt I? What does it matter when the wedding happens? Youre making a mountain out of a molehill. He completely ignored the gravity of the situation. Whats next? Are you going to try and schedule when we sleep together too?
Seeing that he had finally pushed his father too far, I smiled faintly and took a step forward, addressing Lucians parents. Mr. and Mrs. Vance, I said, my voice clear and deliberate. As this is an alliance between our two families, the contract doesn't specify which Vance son I am to marry.
Since Lucian already has a woman he loves, I will not stand in his way. Our engagement is hereby terminated. The man I will marry today is the Vance familys second son, Adrian.
The entire cathedral erupted.
Lucian burst out laughing. What did you say? You want to marry my brother? Hes nothing but a brute who only knows how to fight! I am the future head of the Vance family! Have you lost your mind?
I looked him straight in the eye. So what? You may be the heir, but you cheated during our engagement and fathered a child with another woman. Why would I marry a man with no loyalty? Adrian may not work at the headquarters, but he is capable and honorable. He is a thousand times the man you are.
I gave him a mocking look. Or are you having second thoughts? Do you want to marry me now? Oh, dear. I wonder how Isla is doing. She must be in so much pain
At the mention of Isla, the assistant tugged frantically on Lucians arm. Mr. Vance, we cant wait any longer! Miss Isla is fading!
Lucian glared at me with contempt. Fine. If youd rather marry my brother than be my wife, Ill grant you your wish. After my son is born, Ill marry his mother. Arabella Stanton, you will regret this.
With that, he ripped off his tuxedo jacket, threw it to the ground, and stormed out in front of everyone.
I turned to my assistant. Contact my father and mother. Tell them to bring the marriage contract they signed with Lucian.
My parents arrived within minutes. My fathers face was thunderous. A fine welcome from the Vances! Did you think the Stantons were a family to be trifled with? For Lucian to cause such a scene on his wedding day for a common mistress dont blame us for turning hostile.
I stopped him. Father, Lucian and I have made things clear. I will not marry him. But the alliance is for our families mutual benefit. It never stipulated which son I had to marry. Now that Lucian has proven his disloyalty, I refuse to marry him. But he isnt the only son. There is still Adrian.
My mother whispered, Arabella, you dont have to sacrifice yourself. Even if we break the alliance, it would be the Vances fault.
I smiled softly.
Breaking a family alliance of this magnitude wasnt easy. But switching the groom? That was much simpler.
The underworld didnt need to know whether I married the first or second son of the Vance family. They only needed to know our families were united. That was enough to keep our enemies at bay.
Besides, in my last life, when Lucian drove me to my death for Isla, it was Adrian who stood up at my funeral and condemned his brothers treachery, exposing Lucian for the monster he truly was.
My father considered for a moment, then nodded in agreement and turned to Lucians father. Mr. Vance, your thoughts?
Mr. and Mrs. Vance nodded eagerly. This is an excellent solution. We are so sorry for what Arabella has had to endure. We must call for Adrian immediately.
My father held up a hand, stopping them. My daughter has certainly been wronged. Lucians deplorable behavior and public breach of contract is an insult to both our families. He fathered a child with another woman during his engagement to my daughter and chose to reveal it on their wedding day.
If the Vance family does not make a significant gesture, the Stanton family elders will assume this behavior was condoned.
Lucians father was stunned. What do you propose?
I spoke up. Since you feel I have been wronged, and I have chosen not to escalate this scandal for the sake of both our families, the best solution is for you to convene a family council. Revoke Lucians position as heir, and name Adrian the new head of the Vance syndicate.
After all, Lucian has proven himself to be a reckless liability. Adrian, on the other hand, is exceptionally capable and has earned the respect of everyone. Dont you think he is better suited to lead?
Defeated, Lucians father finally nodded. Very well. As you say. I will call a family meeting tomorrow and propose the change of heir.
The second son has arrived.
Adrian was standing at the back of the crowd. I didnt know how long hed been there.
He walked up the aisle. His father clapped him on the shoulder. The family is in your hands now. Since your brother has no regard for our interests, let him have his freedom. The position of heir to the Vance family is no longer his.
Adrian looked at me, his gaze deep and steady. Miss Stanton, I am a practical man. I dont have time for poetry or romance. I may not be able to take you shopping or for tea. But I swear on my name, if you will have me, I will protect you for the rest of my life. Will you?
I smiled. I will.
To the sound of the wedding march, I put my veil back on, and Adrian and I exchanged rings, becoming husband and wife.
As the chandeliers sparkled above us, a wave of relief washed over me.
This time, I was finally free of Lucian Vance. And I had taken his birthright.
I couldnt wait to see if he would regret losing everything for Isla.
The story of how Lucian Vance abandoned his bride at the altar for his mistress spread through our world overnight.
The next day, as Adrian and I were preparing for the formal tea ceremony with the elders, Lucians father sent men to bring him back to the estate.
He didnt come alone. He brought Isla, who was holding a newborn baby.
She was dressed in a designer coat and dripping with jewels, clinging to Lucians arm as if she were a fragile doll.
She bowed demurely with the baby in her arms. Father, Mother, my name is Isla. Orion, say hello to your grandpa and grandma. She cooed at the baby, a smug look on her face.
Lucians parents were livid. What is the meaning of this? How dare you bring her here today!
Lucian declared, Father, Mother, Isla risked her life to give me Orion. He is our familys first grandson!
Isla and I are in love. I have decided to marry her and make her an honorable Mrs. Vance.
Isla gazed at him, her eyes shining with adoration. Lucian, having you is all I need in this life. My son and I want for nothing. Please dont argue with your parents.
Lucian pulled her closer. You gave me a son. You are a hero to this family. My mind is made up. You will be my wife.
He saw me then, dressed in a traditional red gown for the ceremony, and his tone softened. I know I wronged you yesterday, leaving you to face our guests alone. Im surprised you were so understanding. I will make it up to you.
What I said about canceling our engagement was just in the heat of the moment. Ill treat you well from now on.
But Isla gave me a son, so I must marry her. You can live here with us. She has a gentle nature and isn't suited to manage a household. You can be in charge. It will be a sign of respect. You and Isla must get along.
I frowned, listening to his nonsense, about to speak, but someone else spoke for me. Brother, what are you saying to my wife? Arabella, its time to serve the elders.
Adrian stepped out from behind me, his arm gently guiding me forward.
Lucian was dumbfounded. What wife? What are you talking about? The one who married Arabella was me, not you!
Adrian smiled, holding my hand tightly. No. You didnt finish the ceremony, remember? You ran off to be with your Isla. Everyone in the underworld knows that the man who exchanged rings with her and spent our wedding night with her was me.
Lucian yelled, Impossible! Father, Mother, how could you let this happen? This makes us a laughingstock!
His fathers face was grim. Youre just now realizing we became a laughingstock yesterday? If it werent for Adrian, the Vance familys name would be in ruins!
Suddenly, a formal announcement cut through the argument.

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