A Bride's Shattered Illusion

a small, elegant box, the kind a high-end photo studi

no gift. Just a

ess. Brandon had his arm wrapped tightly around her waist, his smile wide and genuine. He was also wearing a tuxe

thought you should see this. Chloe was so excited about her wedding

ow down, the noise fading into a dull hum. There was no screaming, no

my phone and dialed

a meeting," he answered, h

, my own voice sounding distant,

' m about to clo

said. "It

end. "Fine. I' ll be home

loe followed a step behind him, carrying his briefcase. She saw me sitting on

lling with tears. "It' s not what it looks like. Brandon wa

ell-rehearsed perfo

her. My eyes wer

ession more annoyed than guilty. "What is this? A

ried tomorrow, Brand

He waved a dismissive hand. "Don' t make a scene over nothing

, so sure of his control over me. He turned to his assistant

the bedroom. My suitcases were already packed by the d

ing room. Brandon' s confid

ou' re doing?" he as

id, pulling the handle

y path. "Don' t be ridiculous, Olivi

ked him straight in the e

ere. We had signed the papers five years ago, a secret arrangeme

. "I' ve already contacted a law

nto pieces. "See? It' s gone. The problem is solved. Now stop this nonsens

ce flat. "I care that you did it. I care that you look at her that

want me to do? Fire her? Fine. I' ll fire

hip, but the event. The public image. The

think you' re in any pos

ed, his voice dropping to a low gro

ll them the bride ran out on the eve of the wedding because she found out her fiancé was fitting ano

rigid. He kn

e softening, becoming manipulative. "You have nothing. The apartment,

The belief that I was a

the streets than be

me, he didn' t stop me. His

e, filled with a mix of fury and d

You always come back! You

k back. I jus