Elena’s POV

The wedding dress clung to my skin like a second layer of sweat as I made my way down the dimly lit hallway toward the dressing room, my heart racing with a mix of nerves and excitement that I thought was normal for a bride on her big day.

I had slipped away from the bustling main hall where guests were mingling with champagne flutes in hand, laughing about how perfect everything looked, just to surprise Mark with a quick kiss before the ceremony started.

My heels echoed softly on the carpeted floor, and I smoothed down the lace bodice, feeling the way it hugged my curves, thinking...