That morning, the air in Rosecreek felt heavier than usual. The sun shone brightly, oblivious to the turmoil brewing inside Juliet Bennett’s heart. Through the large window of her bedroom, the delicate lace of her white gown fluttered slightly as she paced restlessly. Her hands kept reaching for her phone, fingers tapping the screen, hoping for a message or a call. But the screen remained blank. Every call she made went straight to voicemail.

Her chest tightened. They had planned this for months, thought through every detail. But now, on her wedding day, her partner had disappeared.

Time slipped through her fingers too fast, and before she knew it, she was already at the church. Her fingers were hooked around the arm of her father, Richard Bennett, the man who had controlled her life with an iron grip. His face remained composed, exuding authority, as if certain that everything was going according to plan.

Richard: "Keep your head high."

Juliet swallowed hard, lifting her chin just as her father had instructed. The church doors opened slowly. The golden afternoon light spilled inside, illuminating the aisle leading to the altar. The guests all rose in unison, their faces glowing with joy, as if celebrating a happiness Juliet could not feel. Each step forward felt heavier, like chains tightening around her.

At the altar stood the man who was supposed to be her husband—Benjamin Harrington. Handsome, well-groomed, and with a warm smile that would have made any other woman swoon. But not Juliet. All she felt was nausea.

As she reached the altar and stood before him, her heartbeat quickened—not from excitement, but from dread. Her hands trembled slightly as the minister began to speak. The words blurred together, drowned out by the deafening thought in her mind: Where is she?

Then, a loud crash.

The church doors burst open, the impact sending a ripple of gasps and startled cries through the congregation. In the doorway stood a woman, her white button-up shirt slightly wrinkled, jeans snug around her legs, and dusty cowboy boots planted firmly on the ground. Her chest rose and fell rapidly, her blue eyes blazing with determination. Beneath her, a powerful horse pawed at the church floor, restless in the chaos.

She had arrived.

The church erupted into a frenzy. Murmurs turned into panicked shouts, guests craning their necks to see what was happening. Richard stood frozen at first, his face paling before turning an alarming shade of red. Seconds later, his furious voice boomed across the room.

Richard: "What in God’s name—"

Juliet didn’t hesitate. Without a second thought, she let go of her bouquet, the delicate petals scattering onto the marble floor. Her feet moved before her mind could catch up, carrying her backward, then breaking into a full sprint toward the door.

Benjamin: "Juliet, stop!"

Benjamin took a step forward, his hand reaching out, confusion and shock written all over his face.

Benjamin: "You don’t have to do this."

Juliet glanced back at him, her gaze steady, filled with a certainty she had never shown before.

Juliet: "Yes, I do."

Her partner extended her hand without a word, and Juliet grasped it without hesitation. With one swift pull, she hoisted her up onto the horse.

In an instant, they were gone.

Richard: "Stop them! Now!"

Behind them, Richard’s furious shouts echoed through the church. Benjamin, who had been frozen until now, suddenly moved, his jaw tightening. He strode quickly toward the entrance, already reaching for his own horse.

Juliet and her partner may have escaped the church, but they weren’t free yet.