‘So, no five million for her, eh?”
When the money was mentioned, Raphael flinched. He had fully expected Emily to fulfill their “agreement” when he paid her 2.5 million dollars up ahead.
He was now full of regret about everything. His thoughts were racing, he scratched his beard, he thought about Emily and the money and what he should do next.
Had he just made his worst mistake ever, or was she worth the turmoil she was causing? Marrison took another look at him in the mirror, sensing his internal disturbance.
“What’s the plan now, sir?”
Raphael didn’t respond immediately, his jaw tightening as he stared out the window,
‘We’ll see” he said finally, his voice low and ominous.
Raphael kept thinking about Emily as the car backed away from the curb. She was dangerous, manipulative, and entirely too clever for her own benefit. But he was also drawn to her, against his better judgment, for some reason.
But this was by no means the end of the game.
E
Chapter 43 Stepping Into Ruins
A vision of elegance and beauty was created in the event venue’s main hall. Emily had gone over and beyond with the décor, hiring her own event planning and decorating organization to realize her ideal wedding.
Crystal chandeliers gleamed like diamonds, and the ceiling was covered in cascading flowers. Each centerpiece was a work of art made of roses, lilies, and baby’s breath, and the tables were adorned with exquisite white linens with golden accents.
Everything was spotless, just as Emily had dreamed it would be as a young child. Her family, close friends, coworkers, and employees were all present to celebrate her special day, and they were all smiling with joy.
In whispers, guests praised the venue’s beauty and the union of Emily and Albert Wright, a wealthy and well–known British businessman who had flown in with his family to make the event even more spectacular, the visitors arrived in waves as the reception got started.
The air was filled with clinking glasses, laughter, and the gentle tune of the string quartet. Eager for any scandalous headline concerning Emily, a few paparazzi were able to enter the hall covertly and blend in with the crowd, hiding their cameras. After all, everyone was hoping for a spicy story, and Emily was known for her drama.
Emily and her closest friends, including Bailey, were upstairs in the bridal room as the visitors dined and drank in good cheer. As her fashion stylist and hair stylist made last–minute changes to her look, the room was a flurry of activity.
Emily’s wedding gown was stunning, a lengthy train that shimmered subtly in the sun, and a strapless white satin dress with elaborate lace accents. Before the ceremony, her veil waited to be lowered, resting lightly on her head.
Albert, who was always the watchful fiancé, had visited her a few times to see how she was doing. Emily was comforted by his kind actions and felt a tinge of remorse for her previous transgressions, it was intended to be a celebration of their love and a new beginning
Emily’s confidante and childhood friend Bailey was sitting in a neighboring chair, talking to her and making fun of Emily for how perfect everything was. For an instant, Emily forgot her fears and smiled, but then her phone buzzed with a notification, she froze when she looked at the screen. Sebastian had left a message,
“Guess who’s here‘
Her stomach rumbled and her heart skipped a beat. Why did Sebastian have to appear today out of all the days? Pale–faced, she lowered the phone hastily, Bailey noticed her discomfort right away,
“What’s wrong?” Bailey asked, leaning closer,
Emily hesitated, then whispered,
“Sebastian”
Bailey’s eyes widened,
“What about him?”
Emily held up the phone to show her the message
“He’s here”
Bailey’s face darkened,
“That can’t be good”
“I know” Emily whispered back, her voice shaking,
“Ask him what he wants” Bailey urged, her tone firm.
Emily’s fingers trembled as she typed out a response,
“What do you want, Sebastian?”
His reply came almost instantly,
“Same thing you wanted at my wedding…. To see you. I’m by the stairs”
Emily’s breath hitched, and she showed Bailey the message.
Bailey frowned, her voice low and urgent,
“Tell him to leave. Right now”
Emily quickly typed back,
“I don’t want to see you, Sebastian. Just leave”
Seconds later, her phone buzzed again,
“If you won’t come, I’ll come up there myself. You might not want that”
She took a deep breath and showed Bailey the message, and her face turned sour.
“You better go. And make it quick, you can’t let anything ruin this wedding, Em”
Emily nodded and excused herself from the room, her heart racing. She slipped through the busy hallways and made her way to the exit, being careful not to attract attention to herself,
“Where are you?” she texted him.
“Come down the stairs and out through the exit at the back” he replied
Her thoughts were racing as she walked to the back exit, her heels clicking quietly against the
tiled floor. Sebastian felt like a ghost from a life she was frantically trying to bury, even though she had wanted to move on from her troubled past.
She opened the back door, feeling the chilly nighttime air as it hit her, there was nobody there. Her heart was hammering harder in her ears, she looked around the deserted lot. The exit included a low level of illumination, with slight shadows created by the hall’s chandeliers. She briefly believed Sebastian was playing a bluff, a cruel joke that would make her wriggle.
But then, just as she was about to turn back, she spotted a figure in the distance, he stepped out of the shadows, and she approached him,
Her feet taking her deeper, into the ruins of her big day.
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