Chapter 347

The officiant's final words hung in the air as Evelyn Sinclair felt her cheeks burn. Her longing gaze remained fixed on Alexander Blackwood.

'Alexander, say those words now!'

'This moment has been years in the making!'

Evelyn's pulse raced wildly. She could almost taste the triumph of reaching life's greatest milestone.

What made her heart flutter more was the tender smile Alexander directed at her. His usually sharp eyes held a softness she'd never witnessed before.

This victory was absolutely certain!

Then an intrusive ringtone shattered the moment.

Evelyn's irritation flared until she recognized Alexander's phone. She watched as his expression shifted while checking the caller ID, his eyes darting toward Vivian Prescott in the front row.

"Alexander," Vivian's distressed voice carried through the receiver. "Something's wrong. The baby - I need to go to the hospital immediately."

Though others couldn't hear, Evelyn caught every desperate word. Her peripheral vision caught Vivian rising to leave just as Alexander turned abruptly.

"Alexander!" Evelyn clutched his arm desperately. "The ceremony isn't finished—"

He brushed her off without hesitation.

With a deep frown, Alexander strode after Vivian's retreating figure.

"Alexander! Where are you going?" Margaret Blackwood's shocked cry echoed.

"Alexander!" Evelyn's scream tore through the venue, her fury threatening to choke her.

"What's happening?"

"Mr. Blackwood looked like he'd seen a ghost!"

Murmurs spread through the confused guests while journalists scrambled for exclusive footage.

Vivian deliberately slowed her pace, listening for familiar footsteps. The hotel entrance loomed ahead as light rain pattered against the pavement.

A chilling wind cut through her, but then sudden warmth enveloped her shoulders.

"Vivian." Alexander draped his jacket over her. "I'm taking you to the hospital."

Evelyn's delighted eyes met his. "Alexander, your concern touches me deeply." She melted into his embrace with feigned gratitude, secretly smirking.

As Alexander carried her bridal-style toward the parking lot, Vivian spotted both reporters and Evelyn giving chase. She arched a triumphant brow.

'Victoria Lancaster, know your place.'

'The game is ending in my favor.'

Vivian rested her head weakly against Alexander's chest. His familiar cologne surrounded her - the same scent from their past, yet now it stirred nothing in her hollow heart.

The viral images of Alexander abandoning his wedding to carry away a mysterious woman dominated headlines overnight. Speculation ran wild until insider sources identified her as Vivian Prescott.

Vivian's social media exploded with hateful comments orchestrated by Evelyn's paid trolls - until every trace of the scandal mysteriously vanished.

After instructing Lucas Grant to scrub the internet clean, Alexander handed Vivian a steaming mug. "You're certain you don't need medical attention?"

Vivian smiled wanly, shaking her head. "Perhaps my distress came from watching you marry another. I couldn't bear to hear you say 'I do.'"