Chapter 4: The Society Wedding
Chapter 4: The Society Wedding
It was the social event of the decade. The merger of the Sterling family with the aristocratic Hale dynasty was being celebrated with a wedding that rivaled royal nuptials. The grand ballroom of the Sterling Plaza Hotel was dripping in crystal chandeliers, walls of white orchids, and gold-trimmed drapery.
Politicians, A-list celebrities, and the city’s wealthiest elite mingled, sipping vintage champagne. Clara was positioned at the very front of the room, dressed in a custom silk gown that draped elegantly over her paralyzed legs. She was the tragic centerpiece, a reminder of the Sterling family's "bravery."
Richard stood a few feet away, holding court with a group of senators and banking executives. He looked immaculate in a midnight-blue tuxedo, laughing warmly, shaking hands, securing deals disguised as casual conversation. Clara sat silently, her hands resting in her lap, feeling like a ghost haunting her own life. The orchestral music swelled, signaling the impending arrival of the bride, but Clara's attention was suddenly drawn to the heavy oak doors at the back of the ballroom.
