It was supposed to be Jalen Ryan's wedding day, but somehow the groom turned out to be Desmond Spencer. And at this critical moment, not a single Ryan stepped forward to explain what the hell was going on.

Ana Spencer stood frozen, completely stunned and unable to process what was happening.

Desmond stood beside her, bathed in light, his thin lips curving into a gentle smile. His warm eyes captivated Ana in an instant.

"I, Desmond Spencer, vow to take Miss Ana Spencer as my wife. For richer or poorer, in good times and bad, in sickness and health, through joy and conflict, I will love you, be faithful to you, and stand by your side until we're old and gray."

His voice was soft as he gently took her hand. "Ana, will you marry me?"

Ana just stared at him, her mind racing, unable to find the words.

At that moment, Ruth Ryan stepped forward. "This is the Ryan family's wedding. Mr. Spencer, just what do you think you're doing?"

"Proposing. Wasn't that obvious?" Desmond shot back, utterly unfazed.

Ruth was livid, her face turning a sickly shade of green. Desmond was crossing every line, especially at someone else's wedding, but no one dared to challenge him.

"You call this a wedding without a groom? Tell Jalen not to bother showing up. The bride is coming with me," Desmond stated flatly.

The crowd erupted. This was straight-up bride-stealing! Desmond Spencer really did have the nerve to do whatever he pleased. If he took Ana now, the Ryans would be completely humiliated and Jalen's reputation would be shredded.

Sure, everyone knew Jalen was the one who didn't show, but having the bride whisked away like this was a whole different level of scandal.

"Mr. Spencer, even if there's an issue today, it's a Ryan family matter. What gives you the right to interfere?"

Desmond chuckled softly. "I'm just proposing to the woman I love. Is there a problem?"

He didn't even bother acknowledging Ruth. Turning to the guests, he continued, "I hereby declare the wedding between Jalen Ryan and Ana Spencer officially canceled. And soon, you're all invited to the grand event of Desmond Spencer and Miss Ana Spencer. Thank you very much!"

With that, he held out his hand once more. "Come with me."

Ana stood there on the stage, brow furrowed. If she left now, what would happen to the Ryans?

Seeing her hesitation, Desmond moved closer, his breath warm against her ear. "I'm giving you an escape route. Have you already forgotten what it was like before I showed up?"

Ana's hands clenched into fists. How could she possibly forget what had just happened?

She glanced around and it hit her—this wedding was never meant for her. Without Desmond's interruption, she would have had to call it off herself and face the humiliation alone, making her the laughingstock.

Compared to that, Desmond really had come to save her.

Resolve hardening her expression, she slipped her hand into Desmond's, and together they walked out of the venue, with no one daring to stop them.

The journalists eagerly captured every moment, already picturing tomorrow's headlines: "Ryan Wedding Shock: Groom Swapped, Bride Stolen!"

Ana had been bracing for disgrace, never imagining someone would actually rescue her at the most critical moment.

Once in the car, Desmond turned slightly to glance at her, like he was admiring a piece of art. He hadn't really looked at her before, but now he saw how stunning she was—the kind of beauty that grows on you.

Ana shifted in her seat, uneasy under his gaze. "Thanks for what you did back there."

"That's twice now, and all I get is a thank you?"

Ana faltered, realizing he was bringing up that night, too. But that night…

She was way too embarrassed to go there, and Desmond found her reddening cheeks utterly adorable. He couldn't resist teasing. "You got into my car all by yourself that night. Without me, who knows what kind of sleazeball would've picked you up?"

"Enough! I don't want to talk about that night."

"Heartless, aren't you? You use me and then refuse to take responsibility? I never pegged you for that type of woman."

"No, that's not it…"

"So you do want to take responsibility for me?" Desmond quipped, then turned to the driver. "To the marriage registry."

"What?" Ana yelped. "Why are we going there?"

"You said you'd take responsibility. Well, I'm yours now. Everyone heard it. You thought I was joking? How are we supposed to get married if we don't go to the registry office?"

In a panic, Ana grabbed his hand. "I'm really grateful for your help, but we barely know each other. Can we at least put the marriage off?"

Too much had happened today. She needed time to breathe and process it all—she couldn't just jump into marriage.

"You're not willing?" Desmond's teasing demeanor vanished, replaced by sudden seriousness. "Are you still hung up on Jalen after he left you at the altar? Don't forget, you're with me now."

"I'm not! I just…" She'd heard about Desmond's reputation—decisive and unyielding. She was genuinely scared he'd actually drag her to the registry office. Marriage was a lifelong commitment, and she couldn't make such a decision hastily.

"Then what?" Desmond pressed.

"Marriage is a lifelong thing. It's not some game. You barely know me, and I'm pretty sure you don't even like me. There's no reason to get married just because of some offhand words."

Desmond chuckled softly. "Are you serious? But you were ready to marry into the Ryan family just like that?"

"That was my father's dying wish. I didn't want to go against it unless I had no choice."

"That's some old-school thinking."

"Why did you help me?" She highly doubted someone like Desmond would fall for her at first sight.

"Because you were Jalen's fiancée. And more importantly, because you're mine now." His sudden sincerity made Ana shift uncomfortably.

"We're both adults. Can't we just pretend that night never happened?"

"No."

"Then at least, can we not rush into registering the marriage?" She looked at him so earnestly, completely oblivious to how amused he was.

This was the first time he'd met such an adorably innocent girl, just like that night—her awkward kisses and clumsy moves.

Looking at Ana, a smile tugged at his lips despite himself. "Alright."

When he agreed, Ana finally let herself relax a fraction. After all, this was Desmond Spencer, the cold-hearted "Man of Steel" according to his reputation. Yet the man in front of her seemed nothing like that.

The car pulled up in front of a bespoke dress shop. Desmond opened her door. "Out."

"Where are we going?" she asked warily, glancing around like she thought he might sell her off.

"You can walk out on your own, or I can carry you. Your choice."

Ana scrambled out of the car, flustered and off-balance. In her rush, the heel of her shoe snagged the hem of her wedding dress, sending her stumbling straight into Desmond Spencer's arms.

Desmond's amused voice rumbled above her, laced with teasing. "If you wanted me to hold you, all you had to do was ask. No need to throw yourself at me."

"I didn't mean to! It's this stupid dress..."

"Then lose it."

He guided her inside, and it finally clicked—he'd brought her here to change. That wedding gown was beyond extra: flashy and impossible to move in. Ditching it made total sense.

"Mr. Spencer, about the dress…"

"Toss it."

"But it's brand new, and it cost a fortune," Ana muttered under her breath, thinking Desmond had no clue about money. The thing was straight-up lavish—throwing it away? Such a waste.

"It's his, and I couldn't care less," Desmond said flatly, dumping the dress into a trash bin without so much as a blink.

Catching the look on his face, Ana clamped her mouth shut. But his motives? She couldn't wrap her head around them.

Desmond had Ana change into something that actually fit before they headed out to grab a meal, completely unaware that back at the Ryan household, all hell was breaking loose.

At the hotel, Ruth Ryan was drowning. She was handling the mess solo, personally ushering out guests, having lost count of how many times she'd had to apologize. In a brief lull, she called Jalen's father, Edward Ryan, phone pressed to her ear so tight her knuckles went white.

"This is your idea of 'everything's going to be fine'? Do you have any clue what Ana Spencer just pulled?"

Edward was at the hospital, chewing out his son Jalen, who had flat-out refused to show at the wedding—choosing instead to hover by Elodie Ford's bedside, the girl still deep in a coma.

"What happened now?"

"During the ceremony, Ana bailed with some other guy. This is the girl you swore up and down was perfect? Now everyone's saying our son got dumped at the altar, and how does that make our family look?"

"What are you talking about?" Edward was floored. Ana wouldn't do that—he'd watched her grow up; she wasn't one to go off the rails.

"I'm bringing Jalen over. Right now."

He hung up, and Jalen immediately pushed back. "I'm not going with you. If you want to fix this mess, handle it yourself."

"You wanted a wedding? Well, that ship has sailed. Thanks to you, Ana left with someone else. Are you just gonna let your mother deal with the fallout alone? Are you trying to drive us all over the edge?"

"What did you just say?"

Jalen couldn't process it—Ana, running off with another man? Especially when she'd always seemed so desperate to marry him.

When they got to the wedding venue, now dead quiet and stripped of any celebration, the reality smacked Jalen right in the face.

Ruth was a wreck, a pounding headache hammering at her temples. But spotting her husband and son, a sliver of relief cut through the chaos.

"Everyone's gone. Our family's gonna be infamous after this. By tomorrow, the whole city will know our son got left in the dust by his own fiancée."

"Mom, what actually went down?"

Ruth waved him off, too furious to form words, and jabbed a finger toward the videos circulating online.

The story had exploded everywhere—no way to reel it back. The whole disaster had gone viral, practically public domain at this point.

"I told you ages ago, Ana Spencer was bad news. But did you listen? No. And now you're stuck cleaning up this train wreck. Maybe now you'll finally see what kind of girl she really is."

Edward still held firm. "Ana wouldn't do something this reckless."

"She left with another man. That's a fact, not me making stuff up." Ruth was too livid to go on, rubbing her temples like she could scrub the whole thing away.

Jalen watched the entire video, his jaw set, face darkening by the second. His fist slammed against the table, cracking the wood.

He couldn't believe it. Of all people, it was Desmond Spencer.

Since when did Desmond even know Ana?

The comments under the video only poured gasoline on his rage. Online, plenty were already piling on: Jalen was the one who'd messed up, Desmond was hot and successful, and Ana had totally made the right call.

Plenty called Jalen a deadbeat, said he didn't hold a candle to Desmond, and cheered Ana on for her gutsy move.

Blinded by fury, Jalen smashed his phone to bits.

Clenching his fists, teeth grinding, he growled, "Ana Spencer... you've got some nerve."

Meanwhile, Ana sneezed as she clutched the keys to her new apartment, wondering if someone was trash-talking her behind her back.

"You're seriously gonna live here?" Desmond's voice dripped with disdain as he eyed the tiny, cozy attic room Ana had picked. It had a certain charm, warm and snug—but to him, it felt like a shoebox.

"It's perfect! I can swing the rent, and once I grab a few essentials, it'll be home."

Desmond had offered to set her up somewhere, but Ana shut it down. They barely knew each other, and Ana wasn't about to start mooching off anyone.

"I've already put you through enough for one day. It's getting late—I'm not gonna hold you up any longer."

"So you just wanna use me and toss me aside?"

"After everything that's gone down today... at least give me some time to breathe and get my head straight."

She figured he'd push back. But to her surprise, he nodded without a fight.

"Take your time. Think about our future."

As he walked out, those parting words lodged themselves in Ana's brain and wouldn't leave.

For seven years, she'd been the one doing all the giving. The thought of someone actually being kind to her—for real—felt surreal.

She could hardly believe her luck had flipped.

Closing the door and drinking in her new space, a deep breath finally escaped her. After years of leaning on others, she was finally free. No more going back to the Ryan family. From here on out, she'd start fresh.

This little place was hers—tiny, but safe. It already felt like a hug.

Downstairs, inside the black Phantom, Desmond's face settled back into its usual stone-cold mask.

"Mr. Spencer, are you for real about Miss Spencer?" Reuben, Desmond's assistant, asked, careful with every word.

Desmond let out a cold laugh. "Watching Jalen Ryan crash and burn? That's its own reward, don't you think? It's pretty damn entertaining." He picked up a folder—Ana Spencer's name front and center.

After that night, he'd dug into Ana's background and stumbled right into her connection to Jalen.

Desmond had hatched his plan the second he saw the opportunity. He knew Jalen's character inside out—selfish to the core, never once thinking about anyone but himself.

Reuben pressed, "Isn't there an easier way to go after Jalen?"

Leaning back into the leather seat, Desmond smirked. "You don't get it. It's the thrill of the game. Jalen struts around like he's untouchable. I'm gonna strip him of everything, piece by piece. Tell me that isn't the definition of fun."

He glanced at a photo of Ana, a slow smile tugging at the corner of his mouth. "In a twisted way, we're both casualties. Tonight, we're heading to the Lodge."

Reuben could tell—Desmond's mood was unusually light today.

But still, worry gnawed at him. The scars from years ago still haunted Desmond, a knot in his chest that time had never managed to untie.

For years, Desmond had kept to himself, unable to shake the past. He'd sworn back then he'd never make peace with Jalen Ryan.

Ana Spencer tossed and turned all night, her mind racing until the first light of morning crept into her room. Determined to keep it together, she dressed carefully, making sure she looked as put-together as possible. Today was step one: quitting her job at Jalen Ryan's company—a decision she'd firmly made after last night's chaos.

With her resignation letter neatly folded in her bag, Ana took her usual bus to work, clocking in right on time. As she walked through the office, the vibe was off from the get-go. Colleagues stared, whispering the second they thought she was out of earshot. She'd expected this, but actually facing it? That was a whole different beast.

She reminded herself it wouldn't be for much longer.

Ignoring the murmurs, Ana went about her duties until the team leader approached her. "Ana, Jalen wants to see you in his office."

Jalen, the company's owner, had avoided her before, so this summons caught her off guard.

Summoning her courage, Ana exhaled long and slow and made her way toward his office, aware of the whispers growing louder at her back.

"How does she even have the nerve to show her face here?" someone sneered.

"Probably just a good lay," another voice scoffed, sparking snickers.

Ana paused, turned, and fixed them with a steely look. "Say whatever you want. I'm still better than the lot of you, who are good for nothing."

Her retort left them red-faced, and she continued on with renewed fire.

Approaching Jalen's office, Ana stopped just a few feet from the door. Jalen, seated behind his desk, only acknowledged her when she stepped inside.

"Mr. Ryan," she greeted him.

With a slow clap, Jalen rose and came closer. "Well, Ana Spencer. I never pegged you for being so resourceful. Consider my eyes opened."

He tossed a newspaper at her, the pages fluttering to the floor, the headline screaming at her: a photo of her and Desmond Spencer leaving the charity gala together, loaded with sensationalized captions.

Jalen's face darkened as he grabbed her chin, forcing her to look him dead in the eye. "You had plenty to say yesterday. Why so quiet now? You think throwing yourself at Desmond will change my mind? Were you that desperate?"

Ana's blood ran cold at his words. She jerked away, her voice steady. "Enough, Jalen. Why do you always twist things around? Have you ever once stopped to think about your own actions before pointing fingers?"

"Are you lecturing me?" he seethed.

"Am I wrong? From the start, I wasn't the one in the wrong. For seven years, I kept giving us chances to make this work. But you were the one who crushed every hope. You didn't show up at the wedding. You left me stranded on the street. Every misstep, every failure—that was all you."

"What about Elodie? She's innocent! If it weren't for you, she wouldn't be lying in that hospital bed."

Jalen's outburst filled the room. "Do you know she still hasn't woken up? If it weren't for you…"

"Her accident wasn't my fault. I wasn't driving, and I didn't take her anywhere. Your father arranged our engagement, not me."

Jalen laughed coldly. "Now you're an expert at shifting blame. Desmond teach you that?"

"This has nothing to do with him. I figured that out on my own."

"Sure, now that you've got a new sugar daddy, you're full of revelations. I always knew you were only with me for the Ryan money. Now that you've got Desmond, you're ready to bolt."

Ana sighed, done arguing. Every conversation with him ended in a fight.

"I'm done trying to explain."

"Or because you can't? Am I making you nervous? The whole city's laughing at me because of you. After everything my family did for you, this is how you repay us."

"Do you even know what happened at that event yesterday?" Ana's patience finally snapped. "I did nothing wrong. As for your father's kindness, I'll repay it when the time comes."

She handed him her resignation letter. "I've decided to resign. I hope you'll respect that."

Jalen glanced at the letter, then back at her, a mocking smirk on his lips. "I see. In a hurry to cut ties now that you've found new backing, huh? Leaving just to run to Desmond, Ana?"

"You have no right to judge me. Mr. Ryan, I'm leaving. Once I'm gone, you won't have to worry about running into me."

"I'm not approving your resignation." He ripped the letter to shreds and tossed it in the trash.

Frustration surged through Ana. "Jalen, didn't you always want me out of your life? Why refuse now?"

"Because of Desmond, that's why. I won't allow it." Just the mention of Desmond's name brought back old memories for Jalen.

"What does that have to do with me?"

"I've decided to keep you around! Watching you suffer will be satisfying. Torturing you is my new favorite pastime. I'm not approving your resignation—in fact, I'm promoting you to work directly under me."

"Do you have to do this, Jalen?"

"You know what happens when you cross me. Elodie's accident was a warning."

Seeing he wouldn't back down, Ana's resolve hardened. "Mr. Ryan, I never signed a long-term contract with the company. If you insist on this, I'll simply leave."

"You wouldn't dare!"

"You forced my hand." She met his gaze, her old feelings for him a distant memory now. "Without the Ryan family, without this company, I'll still thrive."

"Go ahead! Try and leave! I'll make sure you can't survive in this city."

Ana laughed calmly. "I'll prove you wrong. And I'll excel without your approval."

With newfound confidence, she faced Jalen one last time before leaving his office, not caring about the sound of things shattering inside. She was dead certain that, away from this place, her life would only get better.