The Godfather's Love Has Expired Chapter 9

The Pink Sands Beach in the Bahamas was lit up by three hundred crystal chandeliers.

I stood in front of the mirror in a custom Vera Wang gown.

"Miss Sterling," the stylist whispered. "There's a man outside..."

"Tell him the bride isn't seeing anyone," Chloe interrupted.

I paused. "Is it Julian?"

"He's been kneeling at the entrance to the beach since last night," Chloe scoffed.

"Security kicked him out three times, but he keeps coming back."

I looked out the window.

It was pouring rain.

A man in a ruined suit was kneeling in the sand. His pants were torn, and his knees were bleeding.

A bodyguard tried to hold an umbrella over him, but he pushed it away.

Liam walked in holding a tablet.

"The Costello Group just collapsed," he said casually. "The Vance family just acquired the last 7%."

"Do you want to let him watch the livestream?" Liam asked, resting his chin on my shoulder.

The screen showed the interior of the church.

"I specifically chose the same church where you made your first alliance with him."

I laughed and slapped his hand. "You're petty."

"Ava Sterling!"

A scream tore through the sound of the rain.

"Come out and see me!"

Julian had broken through the security line.

He held up a soggy velvet box.

Inside was a cheap jade ring—something he had bought from a street vendor for our first wedding.

"I have stage four stomach cancer..."

His voice was broken, sounding like grinding glass.

"The doctor gave me three months..."

"Just pity me... please..."

Liam squeezed my hand. The ruthless "Mad Wolf" looked nervous.

He was afraid I would feel sorry for Julian.

But I didn't feel anything.

I squeezed Liam's hand back and looked at the butler.

"Start the ceremony."

As the organ music began to play, there was a heavy thud on the beach.

Through the stained glass, I saw Julian collapse into the rising tide like a piece of driftwood.

The velvet box fell from his hand and was washed away by the dark blue waves.