Chapter 3 - A Wedding Without a Bride
Six hundred guests waited beneath thousands of white roses.
No bride appeared.
The Royal Crest ballroom was filled with politicians, executives, athletes, investors, and old-money families who had traveled from across the country.
At exactly six o’clock, the orchestra stopped.
Whispers spread across the room.
Ethan’s younger brother Noah stood near the altar.
He checked his phone repeatedly.
Then the giant ballroom doors opened.
Everyone turned.
Mary entered alone.
She was still wearing her wedding dress.
But there was no bouquet in her hands.
There was no engagement ring on her finger.
Daniel walked several steps behind her.
Ethan followed after them with two security officers.
The sight immediately silenced the room.
Mary stopped halfway down the aisle.
Her father Robert Whitmore rose from the front row.
Her mother Eleanor reached for his arm.
Neither approached her.
They knew their daughter well enough to understand that she had come to speak.
Mary turned toward the guests.
“I apologize for wasting your evening.”
Nobody moved.
“There will be no wedding.”
Gasps moved through the ballroom.
Ethan rushed forward.
“Mary.”
She raised one hand.
He stopped.
“I discovered Ethan with another woman less than twenty minutes ago.”
Every head turned toward him.
Lauren had entered through a side door.
The moment people noticed her ruined makeup and disheveled dress, the truth became obvious.
Lauren looked at the floor.
Mary continued.
“I could have quietly left.”
She glanced toward Ethan.
“But during that discovery, I heard something that suggested this wedding may have involved more than infidelity.”
Charles Cole stood.
“What are you suggesting?”
Mary looked at him.
“I don’t know yet.”
Ethan moved toward the microphone.
“This is insane.”
Robert Whitmore stood.
That single movement stopped him.
Robert had spent forty years building one of the most powerful private companies in America.
He rarely raised his voice.
He did not need to.
“Let my daughter finish.”
Ethan stared at him.
Mary continued.
“The reception will remain open to anyone who wishes to stay.”
A few nervous laughs followed.
“The food is already prepared.”
She looked toward Daniel.
“And unlike the marriage, it has not betrayed me.”
Even Robert almost smiled.
But Ethan was not smiling.
Daniel leaned toward Mary.
“We need to speak privately.”
Something in his voice changed her mood instantly.
Mary nodded.
She turned away from the guests.
Then Lauren suddenly stepped forward.
“Mary.”
Mary stopped.
Lauren’s voice shook.
“You need to know something.”
Ethan looked at her sharply.
“Lauren, shut up.”
Several guests turned.
Mary slowly faced her former friend.
Lauren’s eyes filled with tears.
“He told me you knew.”
Mary stared at her.
“Knew what?”
Lauren looked toward Ethan.
“That the marriage was temporary.”
The ballroom became completely silent.
Mary’s father took one step forward.
Mary felt something cold move through her chest.
“What does that mean?”
Lauren swallowed.
Ethan started toward her.
Security blocked him.
Lauren looked directly at Mary.
“He said he only needed to stay married to you for one year.”
Mary’s voice became quieter.
“Why?”
May you like
Lauren answered.
“Because after twelve months, he would control your voting shares.”
