Chapter 5 - The Wedding March
The morning of the wedding was beautiful, which felt like a cruel joke.
The sun shone brightly through the stained-glass windows of the Grand Oak Manor. The scent of fresh lavender and white roses filled the air. Outside, the catering staff was busy setting up the outdoor reception.
I sat in the bridal suite—the very room where my sister and my fiancé had spent twenty minutes together thirty-six hours earlier.
My bridesmaids were buzzing around me, adjusting my veil, applying my makeup, pouring champagne. They were laughing and talking, completely oblivious to the war that was about to break out.
Jenna entered the room, wearing a stunning emerald-green dress that practically screamed for attention. She looked radiant, her hair styled in perfect waves, a glass of mimosa in her hand.
"Oh, Mia," she cooed, walking over and looking at my reflection in the mirror. "You look... decent. A bit pale, but we can fix that with some blush."
She leaned in, whispering in my ear so the bridesmaids couldn't hear. "I checked the venue portal. The final release has been signed. You get your wedding, little sister. Just remember to keep your mouth shut during the ceremony. No speeches. No 'thank you' notes. Just say 'I do' and go home."
"Don't worry, Jenna," I said, looking at her reflection. "I won't say a word during the ceremony."
She patted my shoulder, satisfied, and walked out to find her seat.
At 1:45 PM, the music began.
The strains of a classical string quartet drifted into the bridal suite. It was time.
My mother walked me down the aisle. My father had passed away three years ago, and walking without him was hard enough, but walking toward a man I wasn't sure I could trust was agonizing.
As I stepped onto the white runner, I looked at the crowd.
On the right side sat my family. Uncle Arthur looked tense. Aunt Carol looked like she was ready to spit fire.
On the left side sat Daniel’s family.
And sitting in the very back row, wearing a dark sunglasses and a tailored suit, was Richard. Jenna’s husband. He had arrived. He caught my eye and gave a single, slow nod.
And then, I looked at the altar.
Daniel stood there, looking incredibly handsome in his navy tuxedo. But as I drew closer, I saw how pale he was. He was sweating, his eyes darting nervously toward the back of the crowd.
When my mother handed me over to him, he took my hands. His hands were ice-cold.
"You look beautiful," he whispered, his voice trembling.
"You look nervous," I whispered back.
The minister began the service. "Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today..."
I didn't hear a word of the sermon. My mind was focused on the envelope tucked inside my bridal bouquet—the envelope containing the flash drive and the tax documents.
"If anyone here knows of any reason why these two should not be wed," the minister announced, his voice booming over the PA system, "let them speak now, or forever hold their peace."
The standard, ceremonial pause followed.
Usually, this is the part where everyone smiles and looks at each other, waiting for the silence to pass.
But this time, the silence didn't pass.
"Actually," a voice called out from the front row.
The crowd gasped.
Jenna stood up.
She looked at me, a cold, triumphant smirk on her face. She pulled a wireless microphone from her clutch—a microphone she had stolen from the DJ’s booth.
"I have something to say," Jenna announced, her voice echoing through the outdoor pavilion. "I cannot let this wedding proceed. Because my sister, Mia, is marrying a fraud. And I have proof."
My heart stopped.
Daniel let go of my hands, his face turning completely gray. "Jenna, don't do this," he pleaded.
"Oh, I have to, Daniel," Jenna sneered, stepping onto the altar. She looked at the crowd, her voice dripping with mock-sorrow. "I wanted to give Mia a surprise wedding fund. But when I started looking into Daniel’s financial records, I discovered something horrifying. He didn't have emergency surgery. He used the money to pay off gambling debts. He’s a liar. And he’s been planning to take Mia’s inheritance."
A collective gasp shook the crowd.
"And that's not all," Jenna continued, looking directly at me, her eyes gleaming with malice. "Daniel came to my room two nights ago. He begged me for money. He offered to sleep with me if I would give him the eighteen thousand dollars. He even bought me a diamond necklace to prove his 'loyalty' to me. I have the necklace in my bag right now. He is a monster, Mia. I was trying to save you."
She reached into her bag and pulled out the velvet box—the exact box I had found in Daniel’s jacket.
She opened it, holding the diamond necklace up for everyone to see.
"I wanted to protect you, Mia," Jenna sobbed, pretending to cry. "But I couldn't let you marry him. The eighteen thousand dollars is safe in my account because I refused to let this thief touch it."
The crowd was in absolute chaos. My mother looked like she was going to faint. Daniel’s father stood up, shouting in anger.
I looked at Daniel. He was staring at the ground, tears streaming down his face. He didn't defend himself. He didn't say a word.
"Is this true, Daniel?" I asked, my voice cracking, my heart breaking into a million pieces.
Daniel looked up at me, his eyes filled with absolute agony.
"Mia... I'm so sorry," he whispered. "I did go to her room. I did take the money for the necklace. But... but it’s not what you think."
"Oh, it's exactly what she thinks!" Jenna yelled into the microphone. "The wedding is over! Go home, everyone!"
"Not yet," a voice boomed from the back.
May you like
Richard stood up, removing his sunglasses. He walked down the center aisle, his face a mask of pure, legal fury.
"Because I have a few questions for my wife," Richard said, stepping onto the altar. "And so does the State Department of Revenue."
