Chapter 2 - The Crash of the Chapel
The chapel was silent, filled only with the resonant, solemn voice of the minister standing beneath an arch of white roses and eucalyptus.
Daniel stood in the second row on the groom’s side, wearing a black tuxedo, his eyes fixed on his sister Claire at the altar. Claire was holding Marcus’s hands, smiling through tears as they exchanged their vows. In the front row sat Nora Hartwell, looking immaculate in an icy-blue mother-of-the-bride dress, her silver hair styled into an intricate updo. She sat straight-backed, her posture regal, holding a lace handkerchief against her lips as if deeply moved.
Daniel glanced down at his watch for the tenth time in five minutes.
5:55 PM.
A knot of anxiety had been tightening in his chest for an hour. Avery had gone to the restroom over twenty minutes ago. She had been complaining of mild back cramps all morning, but when he had asked if she wanted to stay home, she had smiled and insisted on supporting Claire.
She should be back by now, Daniel thought, adjusting his collar. He looked over at his mother. Nora caught his eye and gave him a soft, reassuring nod, patting the empty seat beside her as if to say, She’s fine, don't make a scene.
Suddenly, the heavy double doors at the back of the chapel were slammed open with a deafening crash.
The minister stopped mid-sentence. The string quartet cut off awkwardly. Two hundred guests turned around in unison.
Paige stood in the doorway, her lavender dress stained with water and drywall dust, her chest heaving as she fought for air. Tears were streaming down her face, ruining her makeup.
“Daniel!” she screamed, her voice echoing off the vaulted ceilings. “Daniel, help!”
Daniel was out of his seat before his brain could even process the sight. “Paige? What’s wrong? Where’s Avery?”
Nora stood up quickly, her face pale, her hands fluttering over her dress. “Paige, darling, quiet down! What are you doing? You’re ruining your sister’s vows—”
“Shut up, Mom!” Paige screamed, pointing a shaking finger at her mother.
The chapel went deathly quiet. Nobody had ever heard Paige speak to Nora in that tone.
“She’s in the bridal suite!” Paige cried out, looking directly at Daniel. “Mom locked her in the bathroom! Avery’s in labor, Daniel! She’s bleeding on the floor!”
A collective, horrified gasp rippled through the pews.
Daniel froze for a fraction of a second, his face turning from confusion to absolute, terrifying fury. He turned to look at his mother.
Nora’s hands were shaking, but she forced a bitter, defensive smile onto her face. “Daniel, listen to me, she’s exaggerating! Avery just wanted attention, she was trying to steal Claire’s moment—”
Daniel didn't wait to hear the end of the sentence. He shoved past his mother, knocking a floral arrangement off the aisle post, and sprinted down the center aisle of the chapel at full speed.
“Avery!” he roared as he burst into the courtyard.
Claire dropped her bridal bouquet onto the altar. She looked at her mother with an expression of pure disgust, kicked off her white high heels, and tore down the aisle after her brother, her heavy gown rustling against the pews.
“Claire, stay here!” Nora yelled, her voice dropping its soft facade, turning sharp and shrill. “Claire, come back!”
May you like
Marcus Reed, the quiet firefighter groom, stepped in front of Nora, his jaw set like granite. “Don't touch her,” he growled softly, before running after his bride.
Nora stood alone at the front of the chapel, surrounded by two hundred shocked, whispering guests, her perfect world crumbling in a matter of seconds.
