CHAPTER 5 — The Truth Before the Altar
CHAPTER 5 — The Truth Before the Altar
A silence settled over St. Michael's Cathedral so complete that even the string quartet stopped playing.
Two hundred pairs of eyes remained fixed on Ava.
Dylan forced a smile.
"Babe..."
His voice was calm, practiced.
"What are you talking about?"
Ava looked at him for a long moment.
The man standing before her wore the same expression that had fooled her for three years.
Concern.
Gentleness.
Love.
Now she knew they were simply masks.
She turned toward the guests.
"I want to apologize to everyone here today."
A murmur spread through the pews.
"My parents... Dylan's family... our friends... everyone who traveled to celebrate us."
She swallowed.
"I never intended to embarrass anyone."
Her father, Richard Reynolds, slowly rose from the front row.
"Ava?"
She gave him a small, reassuring smile.
"I'm okay, Dad."
Then she looked back at Dylan.
"But I refuse to promise forever to a man who has spent years lying to me."
The cathedral erupted into whispers.
Dylan immediately stepped closer.
"Ava, you're emotional. Let's talk privately."
"No."
His smile tightened.
"Please."
"No."
She had never said the word with such certainty.
The single syllable echoed through the cathedral.
The officiant quietly stepped back.
Even he sensed this wedding had become something else entirely.
Dylan lowered his voice.
"Whatever you think you heard..."
"I didn't think."
Ava interrupted him.
"I listened."
His face changed.
Only for a fraction of a second.
But she saw it.
Panic.
"What are you talking about?"
"The private lounge."
Eric's blood drained from his face.
"You said Reynolds Holdings was your prize."
Silence.
"You said I was comfortable."
Another silence.
"You called me collateral."
Someone in the audience gasped loudly.
Dylan's mouth opened.
Nothing came out.
"You also said," Ava continued, her voice remarkably steady, "that marrying me was business."
Richard Reynolds stared at Dylan as if seeing him for the first time.
Dylan recovered quickly.
"You misunderstood."
Ava almost laughed.
"I misunderstood because I heard every word."
She turned toward Eric.
"You asked him if he felt guilty."
Eric looked at the floor.
"You asked him about children."
Ava rested a hand over her stomach.
"And he said he didn't care."
Now every guest was watching Dylan.
Not with admiration.
With suspicion.
He realized he was losing control.
Fast.
"Ava."
His voice softened again.
"I was joking with Eric."
"Really?"
"Guys say stupid things."
"So when you said I believed people were good..."
He said nothing.
"...that was a joke?"
Silence.
"When you said I was weak..."
Silence.
"When you admitted you never loved me the way I loved you..."
Still silence.
His silence became the answer.
Then Ava turned.
Slowly.
Toward the maid of honor.
"Brooke."
Brooke's hands began shaking.
"Ava..."
"Look at me."
Brooke couldn't.
"Please."
"Look at me."
Finally, Brooke raised her eyes.
Tears were already falling.
"Tell me."
Ava's voice broke for the first time.
"Was it true?"
The entire cathedral held its breath.
Brooke whispered,
"I'm sorry."
"So..."
Ava nodded slowly.
"It was true."
Brooke burst into tears.
"It wasn't supposed to happen."
Ava closed her eyes.
"How long?"
Brooke cried harder.
"Nine months."
A collective gasp swept through the church.
Nine months.
Almost a year.
Almost a third of Ava's relationship had been a lie.
"I wanted to tell you."
"When?"
"I..."
"When?"
Brooke couldn't answer.
"After the honeymoon?"
Brooke looked at Dylan in shock.
"You told her?"
"I heard him."
Ava's eyes filled with tears.
"He planned to end things with you after our honeymoon."
Brooke stared at Dylan.
"What?"
"He said you believed what you wanted to believe."
Brooke stepped backward.
"No..."
"He said you were exciting."
Another tear rolled down Ava's face.
"And I was safe."
Brooke looked at Dylan desperately.
"Tell me she's lying."
Dylan remained silent.
For the first time in his life...
He had no words.
Brooke's expression shattered.
"You told me..."
May you like
She whispered.
"You said you loved me."
