Chapter 10 - THE WEDDING VIDEO
The video went viral the next morning.
Millions of views.
Thousands of comments.
Everyone wanted to know who the groom really was.
The original caption had been:
“Her groom is…”
But the second post showed his face.
Alexander Blackwell.
The internet exploded.
News outlets picked it up.
People called me a social climber.
Others called me a victim.
Some said I had married for money.
Others said my family had abandoned me because they knew something.
Nobody knew the truth.
Except Daniel.
And he wanted everyone to believe I had planned the entire thing.
Then a second video appeared.
It showed my family arriving at a private meeting six months earlier.
My mother.
My father.
Jason.
And Daniel.
I watched them discuss my marriage.
My brother said:
“What if Claire refuses?”
My father answered:
“She won't.”
My mother said:
“She loves someone else.”
Daniel replied:
“Then remove him.”
My stomach twisted.
Then Jason said something that broke me.
“Does Claire have to know?”
My father answered:
“No.”
The video ended.
I called Jason.
He answered after six rings.
“Claire.”
“Did you know?”
Silence.
“Jason.”
“Yes.”
I closed my eyes.
“How long?”
“Since before you met Alexander.”
I laughed bitterly.
“You knew they planned to use me.”
“I was scared.”
“You watched them destroy my life.”
“I tried to stop Dad.”
“When?”
He cried.
“I couldn't.”
“That's not an answer.”
“No.”
His voice broke.
“I couldn't.”
I hung up.
Alexander found me sitting on the floor.
He sat beside me.
“I know.”
“I hate them.”
“You're allowed.”
“I hate that they made me doubt you.”
“I know.”
“I hate that part of me still wants my mother.”
He took my hand.
“You can love someone and still refuse to let them hurt you.”
I looked at him.
“Did you ever regret meeting me?”
He smiled.
“Never.”
“What about lying?”
“Yes.”
“Why?”
“Because I almost lost you.”
I leaned against him.
For the first time in days, I felt safe.
Then the doorbell rang.
A courier stood outside.
He handed Alexander an envelope.
Inside was a wedding photograph.
The four of us.
Me.
Alexander.
Jonathan.
And my mother.
Written across the back:
ONE OF YOU IS WORKING FOR DANIEL.
Alexander looked at Jonathan.
Jonathan looked at me.
I looked at my mother.
She started crying.
“No.”
I whispered:
“Who?”
My mother's eyes moved toward Jonathan.
“I don't know.”
May you like
Then Jonathan disappeared.
:::
