Chapter 8 - The Uninvited Guests
A hush swept through the three hundred seated guests. Heads turned. Whispers rippled through the crowd like wind through dried leaves.
Walking down the center aisle wasn't the bride.
It was me.
I wore a dark charcoal suit, walking slowly, deliberately, with a quiet strength I hadn't felt in years. Beside me walked my three granddaughters: Lucy, Rachel, and April, all dressed in elegant, simple black dresses, holding hands. And behind us walked Julian Vance, carrying a slim metal briefcase, accompanied by six plainclothes federal agents and the Sheriff of Chatham County.
Arthur’s face instantly darkened from triumph to absolute fury. He stepped forward off the floral altar, pointing an accusing finger at me.
"Security!" Arthur roared, his voice booming over the string quartet, which instantly cut its music. "Remove these people immediately! They are trespassing on private property! I have a protective order—"
"Actually, Arthur," I called out, my voice carrying clearly across the silent courtyard, "you don't own this property. You don't own the company that paid for these flowers. And you certainly don't own my daughter's legacy."
Vanessa emerged from the side doors, her long veil trailing behind her, her face contorted in anger. "What is the meaning of this insolence?! Get these filthy children out of my wedding!"
Lucy stepped forward, standing right in front of her father. She didn't flinch. She pulled a small remote control from her velvet purse.
"This isn't your wedding, Vanessa," Lucy said clearly, her young voice piercing the heavy air. "It's our mother's final presentation."
Before Arthur or his security team could react, Lucy pressed the button on the remote.
Behind the altar sat two massive high-definition LED screens that Arthur had installed to project live video of the ceremony to the rear seats. Suddenly, the screens flickered, turning from the wedding logo to a stark, dark video screen.
May you like
The giant speakers installed around the perimeter of the lawn cracked with static, and then a voice echoed across the entire estate—a voice that made every guest gasp in terror.
It was Rose.
