Chapter 1 - The Shattered Vow
The golden chandeliers of the grand ballroom cast a warm, opulent glow over the high-society guests, but the air inside was ice cold. Julian stood frozen at the altar in his tailored black tuxedo tailcoat, his white bow tie tight against his collar as his chest heaved in silent shock. On the massive projection screen suspended above the stage, the video loop continued to play with agonizing clarity. It showed the groom, Julian, standing beside two identical women, both possessing the exact same soft brown waves, almond eyes, and delicate ivory lace gowns. Beside him in real life, Clara—the woman he was seconds away from marrying—clutched her lace train, her face drained of color as she let out a desperate, raspy plea into the quiet room. But her voice was cut short as a second woman, wearing the exact same strapless lace dress, stepped out from behind the heavy velvet drapes near the back of the hall.
