CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED AND NINETY NINE – HERE COMES THE BRIDE

The sun crept over the horizon, painting the sky in hues of pink and gold as the long-awaited wedding day dawned. Mara stirred in her bed, her eyes fluttering open to take in the soft morning light filtering through the curtains. For a moment, she lay still, letting the realization wash over her: today was the day she would marry Cassius. A gentle knock at the door roused her from her reverie. "Come in," she called, sitting up and smoothing down her hair. Her cousin, Lily, poked her head in, a mischievous grin on her face. "Morning, bride-to-be! I've got something for you." Mara's brow furrowed in confusion as Lily handed her an envelope. "What's this?" "No idea," Lily shrugged. "I found it slipped under your door. Looks like someone's been sneaky." Mara turned the envelope over in her hands, recognizing Cassius' elegant handwriting. With trembling fingers, she opened it and began to read: "My dearest Mara, By the time you read this, we'll be mere hours away from becoming husban