CHAPTER 2 – The Bride Had Been One Step Ahead All Along
Ethan forced himself to keep smiling.
Every camera in the room was pointed directly at them.
His heartbeat pounded inside his chest.
"How... does she know?"
Amelia calmly slipped the wedding ring onto his finger.
Her hands never shook.
Her eyes never blinked.
She looked completely peaceful.
That terrified Ethan even more.
The reception began.
Champagne flowed.
Guests laughed.
The orchestra played love songs.
Meanwhile Ethan desperately searched the ballroom for Vanessa.
She wasn't there.
He secretly texted her.
No reply.
Again.
Nothing.
Minutes later his phone vibrated.
One message.
Unknown number.
"She's with me."
Attached was a photo.
Vanessa...
Sitting calmly inside a luxury office.
Across from Richard Brooks.
Amelia's father.
Ethan's blood froze.
Before he could react, Amelia gently tapped her champagne glass.
The music stopped.
Every guest turned toward the bride.
She smiled warmly.
"I'd like to thank everyone for coming."
More applause.
Then she continued.
"But before we celebrate..."
"I have one wedding gift for my new husband."
The ballroom doors suddenly opened.
Everyone looked back.
Two attorneys walked inside carrying thick folders.
Behind them came several federal investigators.
The room fell completely silent.
Amelia slowly turned toward Ethan.
"You thought you were marrying a billionaire's daughter."
She paused.
"No..."
"You were walking into an investigation."
Gasps echoed across the ballroom.
Then Richard Brooks stood up.
His voice was cold.
"Three years ago, Amelia discovered money disappearing from one of our companies."
"We created a fake engagement."
"We built a fake future."
"We even allowed this wedding..."
"...because we wanted every member of your fraud network to expose themselves."
Ethan felt his knees weaken.
This wasn't a wedding.
It had been a trap.
And the worst part...
The marriage license had never been filed.
Legally...
He wasn't even Amelia's husband.
He had destroyed his own life...
For a fortune...
May you like
That had never been his to steal.
TO BE CONTINUED…
Related Stories
