Chapter 24: Uninvited Guest

The solemnity of the wedding ceremony was momentarily disrupted as James, Ethan's younger brother, made a dramatic entrance. He strode into the auditorium with an air of ownership, unfazed by the gazes of the few dozen attendees who had gathered for this intimate occasion.

He seemed completely unperturbed by the fact that he had interrupted a wedding ceremony.

A sheepish grin graced James's face as he strolled up to the altar. "Am I interrupting something?" he asked with feigned innocence. He didn't seem the least bit bothered by the tension in the room. "Sorry " he continued nonchalantly. "It's just that my big bro here didn't invite me to his wedding, so I had to find my way."

Ethan's expression turned stern as he shot a deadly glare at his brother. It was a look that silently conveyed the message, "Behave yourself or else." James cleared his throat and continued, "Ehem," he said, attempting to regain some semblance of formality. "as the only available next of kin it is my duty to hand to you, Emily, the responsibility of taking care of my brother Ethan" Said James as heb addressed Emily, his tone shifting to a more serious one. Then, turning to Emily, he added, "And Ethan, I hand over to you Emily that you take care of her too".

James approached Ethan, leaning in closer to his ear and speaking in a hushed tone. "If I hear that you made her cry" he whispered with a warning tone, "then I'll come for you, bro." With that, he quickly retreated, seemingly wary of any retaliation from his elder brother.

From Emily's perspective, her heart leaped with a mix of surprise and trepidation when she heard James's voice. She recognized that voice anywhere, anytime, and she couldn't help but wonder why he had chosen this moment to make an appearance. Her mind raced with questions about his intentions and what his presence might mean for her future.

Ethan, on the other hand, couldn't hide his irritation at James's unexpected intrusion. He had assumed that his younger brother was out of the country, and James's sudden appearance at the wedding was both baffling and frustrating. He made a mental note to keep a close eye on James, especially if he intended to stir up trouble within the family.

As the ceremony resumed, the presence of this uninvited guest added an unexpected layer of complexity to an already unconventional wedding.