No Longer Yours to Break novel Chapter 15

Connor’s smug grin died mid–smirk.

He blinked up at her, stunned, then stepped forward–like he couldn’t believe it.

Then he finally saw her expression: calm, cold, dismissive… with just a hint of mockery.

It hit him like a lightning strike.

“Zoe… did you not hear me? I read your journal! I know it was you who took care of me back then. I love you. I want to marry you, treat you right for the rest of our lives!”

His voice cracked. He turned to Lucian, eyes wild.

“It’s him, isn’t it? He threatened you, didn’t he? Zoe, it’s okay–I can fix-”

Zoe cut in, eyes sharp with disgust. “Connor, you’re giving yourself way too much credit.”

She stepped back and took Lucian’s arm. “Lucian is the husband my father chose for me—and the man I love. Who do you think you are, crashing into my life like this?”

Her eyes never left Connor’s. No hesitation. No fear.

She didn’t notice the way Lucian looked at her then–quiet, steady, like she was everything.

Connor looked ready to break.

When he planned this little stunt, he expected Zoe might be mad, maybe scream, maybe cry.

That was fine. They had history. No way some guy she barely knew could really

matter.

But he hadn’t seen this coming.

She’d cut him off–cold, clean, final. Right in front of everyone.

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Her stare hit him like a slap. His hands trembled around the bouquet.

And just like that, he knew–he wasn’t getting her back.

Around them, the guests had started whispering.

This was Khelmark City. Lyttelton territory.

And with the way Lucian and Zoe shut down the drama, the seasoned crowd knew exactly how to respond.

No one bothered hiding their reactions now. Every side–glance and hushed comment was aimed straight at Connor.

“That’s the Buxton heir? Crashing Lucian Lyttelton’s wedding–bold move.”

“I’ve heard of the Buxtons. Big deal in Southport. But here? Against the Lytteltons? Yeah, no.”

“Where’d all that confidence come from? Walked in like she was still his. What’s he

got that even touches Lucian Lyttelton?”

Standing there in the middle of it all, Connor felt stripped bare—every whisper, every stare cutting into him.

The spotlight burned. He looked up at Zoe onstage.

Then it hit him–The Elite Match Gala.

Was this what she’d felt back then? Surrounded, humiliated?

And he’d never even noticed.

He stared at her for a long second, then slowly set the bouquet down beside a column.

Before Lucian could call security, Connor turned and walked out.

The wedding rolled on like nothing happened. Connor’s little stunt didn’t shake the vibe one bit.

The officiant wrapped up the vows. Lucian gently slid the ring onto Zoe’s finger.

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Laughter and cheers broke out. He leaned in and kissed the corner of her lips.

Zoe blinked, caught off guard.

Lucian just gave a soft smile.

He pulled her into a light embrace, leaned in close, and whispered, “I’ll wait. Until you say yes, we’re just two people in an arranged marriage.”

***

Connor hadn’t really left.

He slipped out of sight, but when the wedding march played again, he gritted his teeth and crept back into a corner of the hall, hidden by the crowd.

Then he looked up–and saw them.

Zoe stood glowing under the lights, calm and radiant as she let another man kiss her.

His fists clenched so hard his knuckles popped, eyes stormy with rage.

The reception noise swallowed him whole.

He pulled out his phone and made a call.

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