Separate Weddings, Separate Lives novel Chapter 23

Elijah stood by the window, his tall, straight figure stretched long by the light streaming in from outside.

The glow cut the world cleanly in two. On one side lay celebration and noise. On the other side, it was calm and quiet.

Footsteps sounded behind him and stopped at his side. "Elijah, Thaddeus is still here. He's outside the villa. Should we have him removed?"

Elijah's dark eyes fixed on the disheveled man about 32 feet away, blood still smeared across his face. "No need. Let him watch. Only then will he give up completely."

Alexander Lewitt nodded. "You have always been good at striking where it hurts most."

The warmth Elijah had shown Louisa earlier was gone. His narrow eyes were cold and sharp, radiating a silent pressure. "Did the guests say anything?"

"You made your stance clear. No one dares say anything out loud. But they might have opinions, and they might talk behind your back."

Alexander frowned slightly. "Elijah, after what Thaddeus pulled just now, you should be prepared."

Elijah didn't respond, nor did he even move. It was like a film that had suddenly frozen mid-frame.

Alexander pinched himself. "Elijah, you can have any woman you want. Why does it have to be her? And after this, you and Thaddeus are officially at odds."

There was still no reaction, and Alexander knew what that meant. Elijah didn't like hearing this. However, as a friend of many years, Alexander truly did not want a single stain to mark Elijah's brilliant life.

"Elijah, are you marrying her because…" Before Alexander could finish, Elijah suddenly turned his head, his gaze dark and cold.

"Enough with your pointless guesses. And… watch your mouth," Elijah said.

Alexander fell silent.

The door to the dressing room opened. Elijah turned and saw Louisa step out.

Her makeup was light, yet against the white fabric, her beauty stood out all the more. Her eyes were dark and clear, and when she looked over, there was a trace of unease in them that made people instinctively want to protect her.

Louisa nodded slightly and studied him, as if hoping to read something from his expression. However, Elijah was not a man anyone could see through at a glance.

He took her hand and led her forward, steady and firm, toward the wedding that belonged to them.

"Elijah, have you really thought this through?" Mandy's voice sounded from behind them. She had spent the entire time in the dressing room doing nothing, simply standing there and watching Louisa with unconcealed displeasure.

Elijah stopped but did not let go of Louisa's hand. His dark eyes sharpened. "Mandy, I do not want to hear that again."

Color rose angrily in Mandy's pretty face. "If you marry her, you're–"

"Hey, let me take you out for some fun. Let's not make a scene." Alexander cut in quickly, covering her mouth as he pulled her away.

Louisa could tell Mandy had not finished her sentence. What exactly had she wanted to say?