I married a homeless man, and the entire wedding hall was filled with mocking looks

Daniel caught Vance’s wrist in mid-air, twisting it sharply. Vance shouted in pain, dropping the broken bottle. It shattered further against the marble floor.

With a swift kick to the back of his brother’s knee, Daniel forced Vance to the ground. He pinned Vance's arms behind his back, pressing his knee into Vance's spine.

"Sterling!" Daniel barked. "Call the police. Tell them the fugitive they lost is secured at the Grand Aurora."

The venue manager frantically dialed his phone, nodding vigorously.

The room was dead silent save for Vance's heavy, ragged breathing on the floor. The guests watched, completely paralyzed by the violence and the revelation of the billionaire family drama unfolding at a wedding reception.

I stood frozen in my wedding dress, staring at the man holding his brother down.

Daniel looked up and met my eyes. The fierce, cold warrior disappeared, replaced instantly by the gentle man who had listened to my fears on a park bench.

"Emily, I'm sorry you had to see this," he said gently.

I didn't answer. I turned and walked toward the private bridal suite at the back of the hall. I needed silence. I needed to think.

A few minutes later, the door to the suite clicked open. Daniel stepped inside, closing it quietly behind him. He looked battered, his borrowed suit wrinkled, but he was unharmed.

"The police have him," Daniel said softly, standing by the door. "It's truly over now."

"Is it?" I asked, turning to face him. The anger had faded, leaving only a deep, aching exhaustion. "Because an hour ago, I was marrying a sweet man with nothing. Now I'm married to a billionaire who fights his brother physically in a ballroom."

"I am the same man, Emily," he pleaded, taking a step toward me.

"No, you're not!" I raised my voice, the tears finally spilling over. "Daniel Carter the homeless man needed me. Daniel Carter the billionaire doesn't need anyone."

"That is a lie," he fired back, closing the distance between us. "I survived for two years on pure rage. But you brought me back to life. I need you more than I need Vanguard."

"You put me in danger," I accused, pointing a trembling finger at him. "The break-in. He could have killed me, Daniel."

Daniel flinched as if I had struck him. He looked down at his hands, his broad shoulders slumping.

"You're right," he whispered, his voice cracking. "My presence put a target on your back. That was my greatest fear. I tried to stay away, but I couldn't."

He reached into his pocket and pulled out a folded piece of paper. He placed it carefully on the vanity table between us.