Chapter 4: Five Hundred Witnesses
Ten minutes later, the massive ballroom doors opened.
Five hundred guests rose.
The Aurelia Crown Hotel glittered beneath enormous crystal chandeliers.
White orchids cascaded from golden pillars.
A string quartet began playing.
And I walked down the aisle.
Wearing the very same dress Victoria believed she’d ruined.
From the front row, I saw her expression.
Her mouth opened.
Her champagne glass trembled.
For the first time since meeting her, I watched Victoria Harrington lose control of her perfect face.
Adrian smiled when he saw me.
“You look beautiful,” he whispered.
“So do you.”
He laughed.
“You’re supposed to let me say that.”
For a moment, everything felt normal.
Then the ceremony began.
The officiant raised his book.
Suddenly, the enormous LED screen behind the altar went black.
A timestamp appeared.
A security recording began.
The bridal suite.
Empty.
Then Victoria entered.
She approached my garment bag.
Removed my gown.
Picked up the scissors.
And deliberately slashed the silk.
Once.
Twice.
Again.
A horrified murmur swept through the ballroom.
Someone shouted, “Is that Victoria Harrington?”
Adrian turned toward the screen.
His face drained of color.
“Mother?”
Victoria jumped to her feet.
“Turn that off!”
The wedding coordinator approached the controls.
I lifted my hand.
“Don’t.”
The recording continued.
Victoria’s face was unmistakable.
There was no misunderstanding.
No accident.
Only deliberate cruelty.
I stepped toward the microphone.
“Before this ceremony continues, I believe everyone deserves to see something.”
Then I reached behind my waist.
Click.
The first crystal clasp opened.
Click.
The second released.
The damaged outer layer slipped away, revealing a magnificent ivory gown underneath.
Gasps erupted.
Victoria staggered backward.
“No…”
I reached for the final clasp.
“Emma!” she shouted.
But I pulled it.
And the last section of the outer gown fell away.
