CHAPTER 5 – “THE VIRAL VIDEO DESTROYED EVERYTHING”
By sunrise, Ryan Bennett had become the most hated groom in America.
The video spread faster than anyone could have imagined.
Millions of people watched him smiling before the ceremony, promising to "make the wedding unforgettable."
Then came the footage of him shoving Emily into the fountain.
The laughter.
The tears.
His words...
"Relax... it's just a joke."
And finally...
The hidden recording of Ryan and his friends planning everything before the wedding.
The internet exploded.
Television stations replayed the video every hour.
Influencers condemned him.
Psychologists analyzed his behavior.
Lawyers discussed whether the incident could lead to legal consequences.
The comments were merciless.
"She deserves so much better."
"This isn't a prank. It's public humiliation."
"Imagine what he's like behind closed doors."
Ryan locked himself inside his luxury penthouse.
His phone never stopped ringing.
Not because people wanted to support him...
But because everyone wanted answers.
His largest investor withdrew immediately.
The hotel chain canceled a partnership worth nearly twelve million dollars.
Two board members resigned before noon.
His public relations manager quit with a single text.
"I can't defend this."
Ryan smashed his phone against the wall.
"This can't be happening!"
His mother paced nervously across the room.
"We'll sue them."
"We'll say the video was edited."
"We'll fix this."
Ryan looked exhausted.
"No..."
"They have everything."
"Every angle."
Every camera at the wedding had captured the same horrifying moment.
There was no escape.
Then the television interrupted its regular programming.
A live interview.
The reporter smiled at the camera.
"We've just confirmed that Emily Carter has filed to annul her marriage less than twenty-four hours after the ceremony."
Ryan froze.
"What...?"
His mother grabbed the remote.
"No..."
The screen switched to the courthouse.
Emily stepped out wearing a simple navy-blue suit.
No wedding dress.
No makeup.
No tears.
Hundreds of reporters shouted questions.
"Emily!"
"Do you forgive Ryan?"
"Was it really just a joke?"
She stopped walking.
Turned toward the cameras.
And answered with only one sentence.
"The most dangerous people are those who hurt you... and then ask why you're crying."
Silence.
Then applause erupted from the crowd.
Ryan slowly sank into his chair.
For the first time in his life...
He realized he had already lost.
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But he still had no idea...
That Margaret had one final secret he had never discovered.
