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

I stared at the paper on the vanity, my heart dropping into my stomach.

"You signed an annulment on our wedding day?" I asked, my voice barely a whisper.

"I didn't want to trap you," Daniel explained, his tone heavy with regret. "I knew today would be chaotic. I knew once you found out the truth, you might hate me for the deception. I wanted you to have an out. No messy divorce, no legal battles over Vanguard."

I reached out and picked up the paper. His signature was there in bold, black ink. It was legal. It was real.

"So, you made the decision for me," I said, anger flaring up again. "You decided I wouldn't be able to handle it."

"I decided to protect you!" Daniel argued, stepping closer. "Emily, you saw what Vance is capable of. This world—my world—is toxic. Your parents already look at me like I'm a bank account. I didn't want to drag you into this dirt if you didn't want to be here."

I looked at the document, then back at him. "You really thought I married you because you were safe? Because you were poor?"

"I don't know why you married me," he confessed, vulnerability breaking through his stoic facade. "You could have had anyone. You had a career, a life. You chose a ghost."

"I chose you," I said firmly, stepping up to him until our chests were almost touching. "I chose the man who remembered my favorite book. I chose the man who held my hand when my grandmother died. Money doesn't change who you are in the dark, Daniel."

Before he could respond, a loud knock rattled the bridal suite door.

"Mr. Carter?" Sterling's muffled voice came from the hallway. "The police have taken Vance away. But... there's another issue."

Daniel sighed, the moment broken. He opened the door slightly. "What is it, Sterling?"

"It's your in-laws, sir," Sterling whispered, clearly uncomfortable. "They are... well, they've taken over the main stage. They're giving an interview to a local reporter who was tipped off about the commotion."

Daniel's jaw tightened. He looked back at me, waiting for my reaction.

My parents were already trying to capitalize on the Vanguard name. They were selling our private moment to the press.

"Give me the microphone," I told Sterling, brushing past Daniel.

"Emily, wait," Daniel reached for my arm. "You don't have to do this. I can handle them."