CHAPTER 3 — THE MAN IN THE FRONT ROW
The man who stood up was Richard Carter.
Ethan’s own father.
The cathedral fell into a silence so heavy it felt like the walls were holding their breath.
Ethan stared at him, unable to speak.
“Dad…?” he whispered.
Richard adjusted his black suit, smiling like this was nothing more than a business meeting.
“I warned you not to marry her.”
The real Sophia trembled behind the detectives.
“He locked me in a private clinic,” she cried. “He said if I married Ethan, the Carter fortune would leave the family forever.”
Ethan’s face turned pale.
Victoria laughed softly from the altar.
“You thought I was the monster?” she said. “No. I was just the mask.”
Then Richard reached into his jacket.
Police shouted.
Ethan stepped in front of Sophia.
But Richard didn’t pull out a weapon.
He pulled out a marriage certificate.
Already signed.
Already sealed.
And the bride’s name wasn’t Sophia Lancaster.
It was Victoria Carter.
Ethan froze.
Victoria smiled through her tears.
“Surprise, husband.”
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Because the wedding had already happened...
...three days ago.
