Chapter 2 - The Bride Who Canceled Her Own Wedding
Patricia stared at the leather folder as if it were a weapon pointed at her chest.
“That is impossible.”
Her voice came out thin and sharp.
“She cannot own this estate.”
The venue manager remained perfectly calm.
“Mrs. Whitlock, the documents have been reviewed by three independent law firms.”
He turned toward Clara.
“Ms. Mason purchased the estate eighteen months ago through Mason Heritage Holdings.”
Andrew’s face lost all color.
“You bought this place?”
Clara held the torn front of her dress together with one hand.
“Yes.”
“And you never told me?”
“I wanted to know whether you loved me without knowing what I owned.”
A murmur moved through the ballroom.
Andrew glanced at the guests.
His embarrassment quickly replaced his shock.
“You tested me?”
Clara’s eyes hardened.
“No.”
“I trusted you.”
“You failed without being tested.”
Patricia stepped forward.
“Do not speak to my son that way.”
Clara looked at the strip of lace lying by Patricia’s shoe.
“You ripped apart my wedding dress.”
“You called me poor.”
“And your son asked me to apologize to you.”
Patricia lifted her chin.
“It was a misunderstanding.”
“No.”
Clara’s voice remained quiet.
“It was a revelation.”
Andrew reached for her arm.
“Clara, let’s go somewhere private.”
She stepped away before he could touch her.
“There is nothing private left between us.”
He looked toward the altar.
The minister still stood there, clutching his book.
The string quartet sat motionless.
The candles continued burning around hundreds of white roses.
Andrew lowered his voice.
“Everyone is waiting.”
Clara looked at the guests.
Then she looked at the man she had planned to spend her life with.
“Then they should hear this clearly.”
She removed the engagement ring.
Andrew’s eyes widened.
“Clara.”
She placed the ring inside his open palm.
“The wedding is canceled.”
Gasps exploded across the ballroom.
Patricia grabbed Andrew’s wrist.
“Do not let her humiliate us.”
Clara almost laughed.
“You believe I am humiliating you?”
“You tore my dress in front of three hundred people.”
Andrew closed his fist around the ring.
“You cannot do this over one argument.”
Clara looked directly into his eyes.
“I am not leaving because your mother tore my dress.”
“I am leaving because you watched her do it.”
The words struck harder than a slap.
Andrew’s jaw tightened.
“You are emotional.”
Clara turned to the manager.
“Mr. Bell.”
“Yes, Madam?”
“End the reception.”
Patricia’s mouth fell open.
“You cannot throw out our guests.”
Clara’s expression did not change.
“They are not my guests anymore.”
Mr. Bell motioned toward security.
Four uniformed guards stepped into the ballroom.
Andrew looked around in disbelief.
“You planned this.”
Clara shook her head.
“I planned a wedding.”
“You turned it into an eviction.”
Patricia pointed at her.
“You will regret this.”
Clara looked at the woman who had destroyed her gown.
“No, Patricia.”
“You are about to regret what you did before you even entered this ballroom.”
Patricia froze.
Clara opened the leather folder.
Beneath the ownership papers sat another document.
A financial report.
Andrew saw the Whitlock family name printed across the top.
“What is that?”
Clara slowly raised her eyes.
May you like
“Proof that your mother used this wedding to hide where your family’s money really came from.”
And for the first time that evening, Patricia looked afraid.
