Page 129 of Maddening Fixation

Conversations resumed in cautious whispers.

No one knew whether to offer congratulations or condolences.

Romeo didn’t spare me another glance.

He turned sharply, his bloodstained hand hanging at his side as though nothing extraordinary had happened.

“Keegan,” he said without slowing his stride.

The Irish underboss stepped forward immediately.

“Take her to the estate and put her in the guest wing.”

Only then did Romeo speak directly to me.

“That’s where you’ll stay. Like the unwanted guest you are.” His voice dropped, cold and venomous. “I have far more important matters to attend to than pretending to tolerate my new wife on our wedding night.”

Not once did he look back.

His polished shoes echoed against the stone floor as he strode confidently down the aisle, every step carrying him farther away from me.

His men fell into formation without a word, surrounding him like a moving wall of black suits and unwavering loyalty.

Within seconds, they disappeared through the towering church doors.

A gust of cold air swept through the sanctuary in their wake, leaving behind an unsettling silence—and me, abandoned at the altar by the man who had become my husband only moments ago.

Chapter 6

JULIET

Iremained standing before the altar.

Alone.

Married.

And somehow lonelier than I had been before saying my vows.

The church slowly emptied around me, yet I could still feel curious eyes lingering.

Some guests looked at me with sympathy.

Others with thinly veiled curiosity.

A few simply looked relieved that they weren’t standing where I was.

Taking one slow, steady breath, I fixed my eyes on the empty doorway where Romeo had disappeared.

A quiet presence settled beside me.

I didn’t need to look to know who it was.

Keegan.

His expression, usually unreadable, carried the faintest trace of something that almost resembled pity.

He inclined his head respectfully.