CHAPTER 3 — The Perfect Wedding
CHAPTER 3 — The Perfect Wedding
Forty-eight hours disappeared in a blur of excitement—for everyone except Daniel.
Vanessa barely slept.
Not because she was nervous.
Because she was busy posting.
Every few hours another glamorous photo appeared online.
"Counting down to forever."
"Can't wait to become Mrs. Carter."
"Fairy tales do come true."
Thousands of likes poured in.
Comments flooded beneath every picture.
"Power couple!"
"Relationship goals!"
"The wedding of the year!"
Daniel never reacted to a single post.
He simply watched.
Every smile she uploaded became another mask waiting to be torn away.
On Friday afternoon, the final rehearsal took place inside St. Andrew's Cathedral.
The stained-glass windows painted colorful light across the polished stone floor.
Vanessa entered wearing a tailored white rehearsal dress and oversized sunglasses.
She carried herself like royalty.
"Everyone," she announced, clapping once.
"If you don't know exactly where to stand tomorrow, leave now."
The wedding planner forced a smile.
The bridesmaids exchanged uneasy glances.
Daniel arrived five minutes later.
Calm.
Well dressed.
Expressionless.
Vanessa walked over and kissed him on the cheek.
"There you are."
"You missed my fitting yesterday."
"I had work."
She rolled her eyes.
"You work too much."
Daniel looked around the cathedral.
Everything appeared exactly as planned.
Rows of white roses.
Crystal chandeliers.
The string quartet.
Gold-trimmed chairs.
Nothing suggested the wedding no longer existed.
That was intentional.
During rehearsal, Vanessa pointed toward Ruth.
"Your mother should sit in the second row."
The room fell silent.
Daniel looked at her.
"The second row?"
Vanessa shrugged.
"My family deserves the front."
Ruth smiled gently.
"It's alright."
Daniel answered before she could continue.
"No."
Vanessa frowned.
"What?"
"My mother sits wherever she chooses."
Celeste stepped forward.
"Oh, Daniel, don't make this another issue."
"It's about appearances."
Daniel smiled politely.
"Exactly."
No one understood what he meant.
That evening, Daniel drove Ruth home.
She watched the city lights pass through the window.
"I hate conflict."
"I know."
"I wish tomorrow could simply disappear."
Daniel glanced at her bruised wrist.
"So do I."
She reached over and squeezed his hand.
"You've carried enough anger."
He smiled faintly.
"I'm not carrying anger anymore."
"What are you carrying?"
"The truth."
Meanwhile...
At the Brooks residence...
Champagne flowed.
Music blasted through the mansion.
Vanessa stood surrounded by designer gifts.
Her cousin laughed.
"Daniel really hit the jackpot."
Vanessa smirked.
"No."
"I did."
Another bridesmaid asked,
"So...when are you moving into the penthouse?"
"The day after the honeymoon."
"And his companies?"
Vanessa lifted her champagne glass.
"Eventually?"
"They'll all belong to me."
Celeste smiled proudly.
"I raised you well."
Neither woman noticed the catering staff exchanging uncomfortable looks.
One waiter quietly adjusted the small camera hidden beneath his tie.
Every sentence.
Every laugh.
Every arrogant promise.
Captured.
Just before midnight...
Daniel received a phone call.
It was Marcus.
"The final contracts are terminated."
"No penalties?"
"None."
"The venue?"
"Legally canceled."
"The reception?"
"Canceled."
"The transportation?"
"Canceled."
"The honeymoon?"
"Canceled."
"The catering?"
Marcus chuckled.
"Technically."
Daniel raised an eyebrow.
"What does that mean?"
"The food will still arrive."
"But only because you've already donated everything to the veterans' shelter."
Daniel smiled.
"Good."
"Nothing should go to waste."
At exactly 2:17 a.m., Daniel opened one final folder.
Inside lay a small velvet box.
The engagement ring receipt.
He remembered the day he proposed.
Vanessa had cried.
She had called him the kindest man she'd ever known.
Now those memories felt like scenes from someone else's life.
He closed the box.
May you like
Tomorrow...
the performance would end.
