CHAPTER 2 — THE WEDDING THEY WOULD NEVER FORGET
The church was overflowing.
Politicians.
Judges.
CEOs.
Television personalities.
Every influential name Harrison Sterling had spent decades collecting sat proudly beneath the stained-glass windows.
To them...
This wasn't a wedding.
It was a business merger.
The Sterling empire was about to become even richer.
Julian stood confidently at the altar.
Perfect tuxedo.
Perfect smile.
Perfect illusion.
His father sat in the front row, shaking hands with investors before the ceremony even began.
Everything was going exactly as planned.
Then the music started.
Every guest turned.
Lily appeared at the end of the aisle.
Beautiful.
Graceful.
Calm.
No one could see the scars hidden beneath the gown.
No one except me.
I walked a few steps behind her.
Dressed in a simple black suit.
Ignored by almost everyone.
Exactly the way I wanted it.
Julian smiled at Lily.
"You made the right choice."
She said nothing.
When she reached the altar, the officiant opened his book.
"We are gathered here today..."
"Actually..."
My voice echoed through the cathedral.
"I'd like to say a few words first."
Confused murmurs spread through the crowd.
Harrison frowned.
"This isn't part of the ceremony."
I smiled politely.
"No."
"It's part of the evidence."
I pressed a small remote.
Every screen inside the church came to life.
The first image appeared.
Lily's bruised back.
Gasps erupted across the room.
Then came the recordings.
Julian threatening her.
Demanding obedience.
Promising to bankrupt her parents if she ever left him.
The church fell silent.
Julian lunged toward the projector.
Too late.
May you like
The next video began.
And everything became infinitely worse.
