Kapitel 13: Chapter 13: The Hollow Vows
The Moriarty estate was adorned with every extravagance imaginable, transforming the already grand mansion into a vision of opulence. Guests from all corners of the globe had arrived, the world's elite converging for what was being touted as the "Wedding of the Century."
Alice stood in front of the mirror in her bridal suite, her heart pounding. The dress—handcrafted by one of the most renowned designers in the world—fit her like a glove. It was perfect, beautiful even, but it felt more like a costume than a gown meant for her special day.
Her reflection stared back at her, hollow and uncertain. Today, she would become Mrs. Alice Moriarty, but the title felt foreign, like a crown too heavy for her to bear. Her stomach churned as she thought about Elliot, waiting downstairs, calm and composed as always.
She hadn't seen him since their conversation a week ago. Not in person, at least. They had exchanged formal pleasantries in front of their families, but the emotional wall between them remained impenetrable.
Alice's thoughts drifted to what he had said about his nightmares. The memory of his flat, cold voice haunted her. She wanted to reach out, to bridge the chasm she had created between them, but every time she tried, he withdrew further. She felt more like a stranger to him now than ever before.
Her mother entered the room, her eyes lighting up at the sight of Alice in her wedding dress. "You look stunning," she said softly, approaching her daughter.
"Thank you," Alice whispered, barely able to muster a smile.
Her mother placed a hand on her shoulder, looking at her reflection in the mirror. "This is the day we've all been waiting for. The union of the Greystone and Moriarty families—it's something special, Alice."
Alice swallowed hard, nodding but saying nothing. She had known this day was inevitable for as long as she could remember, but it felt like a culmination of obligations, not love. Not happiness.
"I know this isn't what you envisioned growing up," her mother continued, her voice quieter now, "but these things, they're about more than just love. This marriage will secure our place in the world."
Alice nodded again, her throat tight. She couldn't voice the thoughts racing through her mind—how love had never been a part of the equation, how she had driven away the only man who had ever truly cared about her. Now, she was left with an empty shell of what could have been.
"It's time," her mother said, squeezing her shoulder gently.
Alice took a deep breath, standing tall. She would face this day as she had faced every other challenge in her life—with grace, with composure, with the determination to fulfill her role, no matter how hollow it felt inside.
As she walked down the grand staircase toward the ballroom where the ceremony would take place, the chatter of the guests quieted, their gazes shifting to her. Flashes from cameras went off, capturing every step she took.
And then she saw him.
Elliot stood at the altar, waiting for her in a perfectly tailored suit. His face was unreadable, his posture strong and commanding. He looked every bit the powerful heir the world expected him to be. But as she moved closer, Alice noticed the faint darkness under his eyes, the hint of exhaustion that no amount of perfection could hide.
She reached the altar, her heart pounding in her chest. Elliot extended his hand toward her, and she hesitated for a split second before placing her hand in his. His touch was firm but distant, devoid of any warmth or affection.
The ceremony began, the officiant's voice droning on about love, unity, and forever. But Alice barely heard a word. Her mind was clouded, trapped between the past and present, the weight of her choices pressing down on her.
"Do you, Elliot Moriarty, take Alice Greystone to be your lawfully wedded wife?"
Elliot's voice was steady. "I do."
"And do you, Alice Greystone, take Elliot Moriarty to be your lawfully wedded husband?"
For a moment, Alice's throat tightened. This was it—the moment she had dreaded and longed for all at once. She glanced at Elliot, searching for something in his eyes, some flicker of the man she had once known.
But there was nothing. Just cold indifference.
"I do," she whispered, her voice barely audible.
The officiant declared them husband and wife, but there was no grand kiss, no embrace filled with joy. Instead, Elliot simply leaned in, brushing his lips against her cheek in the briefest of motions before pulling away.
The applause from the guests was deafening, but to Alice, it felt like a mockery of the emptiness between them.
As they turned to face the crowd, their hands still loosely joined, Alice caught a glimpse of her parents in the front row. Her father's expression was one of pure satisfaction, while her mother's eyes shone with pride. On the other side, Elliot's parents—Johnathan and Victoria Moriarty—watched with similar expressions of approval. This was what they had all wanted.
A union between two empires. Nothing more.
The reception that followed was a blur of formalities—dances, speeches, and endless congratulations. Alice moved through it all like an automaton, her smile painted on, her movements mechanical.
At one point, Elliot excused himself from the festivities, slipping away from the crowd. Alice followed him, curious as to where he had gone.
She found him standing on the balcony of the Moriarty mansion, staring out at the sprawling gardens below. The night air was cool, a welcome reprieve from the stifling heat inside.
"Elliot," she called softly, stepping onto the balcony.
He didn't turn to face her, his gaze fixed on the distance. "What is it?"
"I… I wanted to talk."
Elliot let out a sigh, his shoulders tensing. "We've talked enough, Alice."
"I know," she said, moving closer. "But I wanted to ask… are you really okay with this?"
He finally turned to look at her, his eyes shadowed. "Does it matter?"
Alice's breath caught in her throat. "It matters to me."
Elliot studied her for a long moment before turning back to the view. "It's done. There's no point in questioning it now."
She stepped up beside him, feeling the weight of the silence between them. "I never imagined it would turn out like this."
Elliot's jaw clenched. "Neither did I."
Alice hesitated, the words caught in her throat. She wanted to apologize, to tell him that she regretted everything—the way she had treated him, the way she had pushed him away. But the gap between them was too wide now, and she didn't know how to bridge it.
"I'm sorry," she whispered, her voice barely audible.
Elliot didn't respond. He just stood there, staring out at the night, the tension between them palpable.
This was their life now.
Wöchentlicher Energiestatus
-- Power-
Rangliste 
-- Power-
Stein