nd hushed whispers. Braden Strong moved through the crowd in h
aumont relative. He dabbed at a dry eye. "To celebrate our love
rimmed eyes. Swollen from crying. The devastated best friend. Fl
d. He'd fought against this sham of a wedding. But Braden had been persuasive. Cited a fak
arch swelled through the ballroom
he app
Simple white silk gown. Clear, sharp eyes. She stepped for
f. Each step was a quiet act of will. Her legs trembled. Her hand gr
oom. Then stunned murmuring.
ormative grief melted into horror. The colo
. Tears of real joy streaming down t
s at the altar. She walked past her parents. Took the microphone from th
to my funeral. Oh, my ap
in the air. Thi
her. Arms outstretched. Overjoyed fianc
ire. "Yes, it is a miracle, Braden. A miracle tha
aphina. Standing discreetly
red to life. Sterile white walls of Clara'
nce. Echoed through the ballroom. The video showed them kissing. Bodies
Then an explos
ea stood frozen.
s fist connected with Braden's jaw. Security
fake! It's all fake! You can't do this to my son!" Her voice rose to a hysterical pitch. "And so what if it is
the room. The Beaumonts turned their b
d the microphone again. Her
ding is c
pa
t get marr
at her like she'
executed in partnership with a spouse. So I have a new proposal. Any man in this room willing to ma
calculation. Rippled through the gu
whispers and nervous
the ballroom, a figur
ence that drew every eye. A perfectl
ht. Her heart slamm
the bar
ntense blue eyes locked with hers.
d. His voice was low. Steady.
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