The house was drowned in shadows,Sea of men in black standing tall, their eyes gleaming with anticipation. A low murmur rippled through the crowd, then rose into a deafening roar—cheers erupting like thunder as he stepped forward. Their prince had returned.

Amidst the celebration, the sharp crack of gunfire shattered the night. Not in violence, but in tribute. Muzzles flared, sending bullets soaring into the sky, their echoes bouncing off the towering buildings. The air buzzed with raw energy, a mix of loyalty, power, and the unmistakable scent of gunpowder.

HE stood at the heart of it all, his gaze cold, unreadable. This was his kingdom. And tonight, it was alive with the sound of his name.

Soon the world will know of his return

I never thought a forced marriage would lead me here—standing over my husband's greatest secret." Lisa said seeing the scene in front of her.

Six Months Ago...

Morning

A young man in his early twenties stood before a mirror, adjusting the black coat over his crisp white shirt. His brown eyes, sharp and calculating, examined his reflection as he smoothed his neatly trimmed black mid-faded hair.

"This will do," he muttered, reaching for a comb to perfect his look.

Just then, a voice called from behind.

"Edward."

A tall, blonde-haired man entered the room. His hair was styled in a tapered-fade, and his striking brown eyes mirrored Edward's. His suit fit perfectly, tailored to exude effortless confidence.

"Are you ready?" "It's time to go", the blonde said, leaning against the door-frame.

Edward adjusted his cuffs before nodding. "Yeah, Carl. Let's go."

The two men stepped out of their apartment and hailed a taxi. Today was a special day—their best friend Chris was getting married.

Little did they know, unseen eyes were watching their every move.

At the Wedding Hall

The grand wedding hall buzzed with life. Laughter, the soft hum of conversation, and the gentle melody of a live orchestra filled the air. Crystal chandeliers hung from the high ceiling, casting a golden glow over the elegantly dressed guests.

As Edward and Carl arrived, they took their seats near the front.

Carl, ever the flirt, immediately scanned the crowd, his lips curling into a smirk.

"Bro, so many beautiful girls here today," he whispered, nudging Edward.

Edward, however, wasn't paying attention. His gaze was locked on the entrance as their friend, Chris, entered with his family, greeting guests one by one. The moment Chris spotted them, his face lit up, and he strode over with a grin.

"When did you guys get here?" Chris asked, pulling Edward in for a handshake and a quick hug.

"About thirty minutes ago," Edward answered, stepping aside as Carl embraced their friend.

Chris let out a nervous sigh, rubbing his hands together. "Man, I'm so nervous."

Carl scoffed. "Relax, bro. You're getting married, not going to war."

Chris chuckled but leaned in, lowering his voice. "Can I ask you guys something?"

"Sure," they both answered.

Chris smirked. "Whose wedding is it?"

"Yours, obviously! 'Why?'" they replied in unison.

Chris glanced around before grinning. "Then stop stealing my spotlight. Look around—people are glaring at you two."

Edward's eyes scanned the room, and sure enough, there was tension in the air. Women whispered behind their hands, men watched warily, and some older guests frowned in their direction.

It was Carl's fault. His arrogant charm, effortless smirk, and commanding presence always drew attention.

"Dude, should I kick you out of the hall?" Edward teased.

Carl feigned innocence. "What? What did I do?"

"They're staring at you, man!"

Carl shrugged, unbothered. "Not my fault God made me this handsome."

Chris shook his head, laughing. "Alright, I should go. My bride's about to arrive."

As Chris left, Edward and Carl settled into their seats.

A hush fell over the hall.

Lilly, the bride, entered gracefully, her white gown flowing like liquid silk. She walked arm in arm with her father, her face glowing with happiness.

"Damn, Chris is lucky," Carl murmured.

Edward nodded. "Yeah, very lucky."

But his focus wasn't on Lilly.

At that moment, he saw her.

A girl in a flowing red dress moved behind the bride's entourage. Her long hair cascaded down her back like waves of silk. The dress covered her entire body, but her presence alone commanded attention.

Edward's breath hitched.

"She looks like a princess straight out of a fairy tale"

The world around him blurred. His pulse pounded in his ears as he watched her glide across the room, her posture poised, her expression unreadable.

His hands clenched into fists.

"God, she's perfect. I'd give my life for her without a second thought."

Carl noticed Edward's dazed expression and smacked him on the head. "Snap out of it, lover boy."

Edward barely heard him.

For the first time in his life, he believed in love at first sight.

Unbeknownst to them, two men in black suits stood near the exit, their expressions unreadable.

One of them held a phone to his ear.

"Sir, we have eyes on the target."

A deep voice responded at the other end. "Proceed on my command."

But the man suddenly stiffened. His sharp gaze locked onto Edward and Carl, his knuckles tightening around the phone.

"Sir, we have a problem."

A long pause. "What problem?"

The man clenched his jaw. "Someone from the De Luca family is here."

Silence.

Then—

"Oh god. Are you sure?"

"Yes, sir. It's him."

A sharp inhale from the other end.

"Abort the mission. Now."

The call ended.

The two men exchanged tense glances.

They came here for one reason. But his presence changed everything.

And now, they had to rethink everything.

-

In the hall

Edward's eyes scanned the room. He hadn't seen the girl in red again.

"Still looking for her?" Carl smirked, sipping his whiskey.

Edward didn't answer.

Just then, Chris and Lilly approached.

"Hey guys," Chris greeted.

"Hey, man," they replied.

"Lilly, these are my best friends, Carl and Edward," Chris introduced them.

Lilly smiled warmly and shook their hands. "Nice to meet you both."

"Same here," Edward responded absently. His gaze flickered across the room.

There.

She was standing near a balcony, bathed in the golden glow of the chandeliers. The red dress clung to her slender frame, and as she laughed at something, it was the most beautiful sound he had ever heard.

"I have to talk to her," Edward thought.

But before he could move, Chris clapped him on the back.

"See you guys at the after-party. Be on time!"

Edward nodded, but by the time he turned back, she was gone.

Outside, under the cover of night, the two men in black suits stood beside a sleek black car.

One lit a cigarette, exhaling slowly. "That was close."

The other adjusted his tie, his expression hard. "We'll have to find another way."

A third man leaned against the car, arms crossed. "And what about him?"

The man with the cigarette smirked.

"Edward? He has no idea what's coming for him."

The third man's gaze darkened.

"Good. Then let's keep it that way."

They stepped into the car, disappearing into the night.

Inside the wedding hall, Edward still searched for the girl in red.

Unaware that his world was about to change forever.

To be continued.........

EDWARD POINT OF VIEW

The evening had arrived.

After changing into fresh outfits, Carl and I made our way to the venue where the wedding party was set to take place.

As soon as we stepped inside, Carl immediately went into action—scouting the women around.

"He never stops," I sighed, shaking my head.

"Man, this is awesome! Look at all these girls". Carl grinned, scanning the crowd.

"Maybe tonight's my lucky night. I have a feeling it's going to be great!"

I wasn't paying attention to his rambling. My focus was elsewhere—searching for the girl I had seen earlier that morning.

Carl noticed my distraction and smirked.

"Still looking for her?" he asked.

"Yeah."

"Found her yet?"

"Nope." I couldn't hide the disappointment in my voice.

Carl sighed. "Alright, let me help you."

"Thanks."

Together, we started scanning the crowd for her.

Just then, I spotted Chris and his wife, Lilly, entering the party. I waved at them, and they walked over to us.

"Hey, guys". "Everything good?" Chris asked.

"Yeah, all good," I replied.

"Congratulations on your wedding, Mr. and Mrs. Chris" Carl and I said in unison, teasing him.

Chris chuckled. "Thanks, guys."

Lilly smiled. "I already like them," she told Chris.

"Yeah, they're like my little brothers," Chris said proudly.

Lilly looked at him warmly before turning back to us. "Have you two had a drink yet?"

"Not yet," we replied.

"Then what are you waiting for?get wasted already!" Chris laughed.

"Alright!" we said, heading to the bar.

After sometime later 

I started drinking, but my mind was elsewhere—still searching for that girl. The disappointment was getting heavier with every passing minute.

Sometime later, Carl left me alone to dance with a stranger. I glanced at him; he was enjoying himself, so I let him be. Instead, I drank more.

That's when someone suddenly grabbed my drink from behind and placed it on the table.

"Don't you think you've had enough? You've been drinking nonstop. If you keep going you'll lose control", a woman's voice said.

I ignored her. "I'm fine, thanks."

I reached for another drink, but she snatched it from my hand again.

I turned around, annoyed—but my irritation disappeared the moment I saw her.

It was her.

The girl from the morning.

My anger faded instantly, replaced by sheer shock and joy. The sadness I'd felt all evening vanished in an instant.

I was speechless. Frozen.

In the distance, Carl was watching and laughing his heart out.

I finally gathered my courage.

"Hi," I said.

She folded her arms. "Enough drinking. You've had way too much."

"What? No! I only had a few shots."

"Nope. I've been watching you for an hour, and I don't want anyone ruining this party."

"Oh? I'm flattered. A beautiful woman has been watching me for so long?"

She smiled a little.

I smirked. "Alright, I'll stop—on one condition."

"And that is?"

"Have a drink with me."

"Nope, why would I drink with a stranger?". She replied.

Then why were you staring at a stranger for so long? Don't tell me you have a crush on me?. I teased.

"Don't push it, boy," she shot back.

"Boy? I'm not a boy."

"Yes, you are!"

I grinned. "Alright then, how about a competition?"

She raised an eyebrow. "What are you, twelve?"

"What, are you scared?" I taunted.

"Me? Afraid? "Bring it on!" she challenged.

And just like that, we started drinking with each other.

Even though I already had some, I kept up with her. Soon, people surrounded us, cheering us on.

Chris and Lilly noticed the commotion and went over. Chris looked at us and sighed. "Oh god, what now?"

Lilly's eyes widened. "Lisa! Where were you? I've been looking for you everywhere!"

Lisa?

"Oh, I was here—teaching this boy a lesson," she replied, smirking.

"Wait—you two know each other?" Lily asked.

"Nope," we both replied at the same time.

Lilly turned to me. "Edward, this is Lisa—my cousin. She's the one who organized this whole party."

"Oh! So that's why she was so determined to stop me from drinking."

"Yep, I don't want anyone ruining this big day for my little cousin". Lisa said.

"Little…?" I raised an eyebrow.

"Yeah! I'm her big cousin. Any problem with that?". Lisa asked.

Lilly smirked.

"Nope, no problem at all" I replied.

Lilly grabbed Lisa's arm. "Come on, let's dance."

"Okay, madam! Lead the way. "And nice meeting you, boy." Lisa teased.

"Boy—?" I muttered, but she was already gone.

Chris came up to me and said something that wiped the smile off my face.

"Don't do it, man."

"Do what?" I frowned.

"Whatever you're thinking. Don't. She's engaged. Her wedding is next week."

I felt like the ground beneath me had crumbled.

Chris left to join the others, while I stood there, stunned.

I sat back down, drowning my disappointment in more drinks.

Lisa noticed and walked up to me, grabbing my hand. Without a word, she pulled me toward the dance floor.

"I don't want you drinking anymore. I don't like it". She whispered near my ear.

"Why?" I asked.

She hesitated. "I don't know. But I just don't."

I smiled. "Alright, then. Let's dance."

Everyone started cheering for us.

Lisa and I moved in sync, her body fitting perfectly against mine.

I pulled her closer by the waist, and for a moment, it felt like the world had disappeared.

The night was ours.

Midnight arrived. The party was ending.

Chris and Lilly had already left. Carl, of course, left with a girl.

As I stepped outside, I saw Lisa standing near the entrance.

"Aren't you going home?" I asked.

"I can't drive in this state. I'm waiting for a taxi". She replied.

"You won't get one here. Come on, I'll drop you."

"Nope! I'll go alone."

She took a step forward—but immediately stumbled. Before she could hit the ground, I held her in my arms.

Lisa looked up at me, her eyes heavy with intoxication.

"You have a cute face, you know that?" she mumbled.

I chuckled. "Yeah, I know. Now, tell me your address, so I can take you home."

She gave me her address, and without hesitation, I carried her in my arms and walked toward the location where we could get a taxi.

That night, I realized something.

I had fallen for her.

Welcome to 4 Years Apart!

Hello, dear readers!

Thank you for checking out 4 Years Apart. This is a story of love, secrets, and unexpected twists. Edward, a young man forced into marriage, hides his true identity. His wife, Lisa, believes he is poor, but the truth is far from what she imagines. As their journey unfolds, secrets will be revealed, and destinies will be rewritten.

What to Expect?

A mix of romance, drama, and suspense.

Hidden identities and shocking revelations.

A journey of love, trust, and transformation.

Update Schedule:

("I'll upload the first 10 chapters in a week. Then 2 chapters per week")

Your Support Matters!

Please like, comment, and share your thoughts—it motivates me to write more! I’d love to hear your opinions and guesses about what will happen next.

Let’s embark on this journey together! Thank you for being here.

— Dyzer