CHRIS'S POV
Ashley stormed into my suite like a wildfire.
Her heels clicked sharply against the marble floor, fury radiating off her in waves. She didn't bother knocking. She never did when she was convinced the world owed her something.
"You embarrassed me," she snapped, tossing her clutch onto the couch. "Your little moral awakening ruined everything."
I didn't look up from the glass of whiskey in my hand.
"I withdrew," I said calmly. "That's all."
She laughed—a brittle, ugly sound. "Withdrawn? You don't withdraw from wars, Chris. You win them."
I finally turned to her.
"No," I corrected quietly. "You win people. And I lost her the moment I tried to take her from where she chose to stand."
Her eyes narrowed. "You're still choosing her over me."
I shook my head. "I'm choosing her happiness."
Ashley scoffed. "Don't insult me with that nonsense. If you loved her, you'd fight."
I stepped closer, my voice lowering. "If I loved her, I'd let her go."
Silence followed.
Heavy. Loaded.
"She's happy with Adrian," I continued. "I see it now. The way she looks at him. The way she stands taller beside him. Kiss doesn't belong to chaos anymore."
Ashley's fists clenched. "You're a coward."
I smiled sadly. "Maybe. But I won't become the villain of her story."
She turned sharply toward the door.
"You're making a mistake," she spat.
"Stop," I said suddenly.
She froze.
I met her gaze, my voice steady. "If you truly love Adrian—if you ever did—then stop this. Let him go. Let her go."
For half a second… just half… doubt flickered across her face.
Then it vanished.
"You don't know what love costs," she said coldly.
And she walked out.
I stayed where I was, staring at the door long after it closed.
Because deep down, I knew—
Ashley wouldn't stop.
KISS'S POV
If heaven had a sound, it was laughter echoing through the penthouse.
My ladies' night was anything but calm.
Augustina sat cross-legged on the rug, holding a glass of champagne like a microphone. "Ladies and gentlemen," she announced dramatically, "tonight, we officially corrupt the bride."
"I'm not corruptible," I protested, cheeks already warm.
Lucia raised a brow. "That's what they all say."
Boxes were stacked everywhere—wrapped in silk paper, satin ribbons, lace peeking through like secrets.
One of the wives clapped her hands. "Open the red one."
I hesitated. "Why does that sound dangerous?"
"Because it is," Augustina replied cheerfully.
I opened it.
My breath hitched.
The lingerie was… breathtaking. Deep wine-colored silk, delicate lace tracing curves I didn't even know I had.
"Oh my—" I whispered.
Augustina leaned closer, smirking. "You own a mirror, right?"
My face burned. "You people are evil."
"No," Lucia corrected gently. "We're experienced."
Another box followed.
Then another.
Each one more daring than the last.
"Kiss," one of them said teasingly, "do you even sleep these days?"
I buried my face in my hands. "Please stop talking."
Augustina laughed. "She's remembering."
And I was.
Adrian's hands. His voice. The way he looked at me like the world narrowed when we were close.
My stomach fluttered.
"This is marriage prep," Lucia said softly.
"Not just bodies. Trust. Desire. Connection."
I swallowed.
"I love him," I admitted quietly.
The room softened instantly.
Augustina's tone changed. "We know."
ADRIAN'S POV
Bachelor nights are overrated.
I sat with Isaac and a few partners, glasses in hand, laughter filling the private lounge—but my thoughts were elsewhere.
"She's probably blushing right now," Isaac said knowingly.
I shot him a look. "You don't know that."
Isaac smirked. "I know women. And I know Augustina."
I groaned.
One of the men raised his glass. "To the man who finally fell."
I didn't deny it.
"I didn't fall," I said calmly. "I chose."
They laughed, clinking glasses.
But beneath it all, my chest felt full.
Peaceful.
Which meant—
Something was coming.
KISS'S POV
Later that night, when the laughter softened and the wine thinned, I sat alone by the window.
My phone buzzed.
ADRIAN: You still alive?
I smiled.
ME: Barely. Your friends are dangerous.
ADRIAN: I warned you.
ME: I love you.
The reply came instantly.
ADRIAN: I know. And I'm counting the minutes until I can say it back in person.
My heart swelled.
For a moment, the world felt perfect.
Too perfect.
ASHLEY'S POV
Love was weakness.
I stared at the city below, phone pressed to my ear, voice low and sharp.
"They think the wedding is safe," I said.
"They think I'm finished."
A pause.
Then a voice replied, amused. "And are you?"
I smiled slowly.
"No," I whispered. "I'm just getting creative."
KISS'S POV
I didn't know it yet.
Didn't know that while we laughed, while we planned, while we dreamed—
Someone was sharpening knives behind a smile.
But that night, surrounded by women who stood like shields around me, I felt something powerful.
Protected.
Loved.
Chosen.
And whatever storm was coming—
I knew I wouldn't face it alone.