Chapter 11
Upon arriving at the wedding venue, the waiting makeup artist immediately ushered him into the dressing room. He usually refused to let anyone apply makeup to fis face, but today was different.
He wanted their most important day to be perfect, a memory he and Thea would cherish forever.
At two minutes to noon, the groom took his position at the center of the stage, holding a bouquet of lily–of–the–valley. Thea’s favorite pink roses lined both sides of the aisle, stretching from the entrance to where he stood.
The gathered guests waited with bated breath as media crews, positioned at key vantage points, started their global live broadcast.
Over a million viewers now watched the live feed, their enthusiastic comments flooding the screen.
“Holy smokes! This is next–level wedding goals for the rich and famous!”
is the ba
“You can tell Mr. Hatcher planned every detail. I heard each flower is the bride’s favorite variety, and even the reception menu features all her top choices.”
“They’re broadcasting globally so the whole world can celebrate with them. How incredibly sweet!”
At exactly noon, the ceremony began. The bridal march, My Only, filled the venue. Terrence, the unflappable businessman who never showed nerves, felt his palms grow damp.
His thoughts kept returning to that wedding dress he’d seen at the bridal shop days earlier. Thea would undoubtedly be the most stunning bride imaginable in that
gown.
Yet as the music’s last notes dissolved into silence, the doors stayed firmly closed.
A murmur rippled through the gathered guests. Online, the comment section erupted.
“Where’s the bride?”
“It’s past starting time. Could something have gone wrong?”
Terrence’s pulse quickened. He was about to text Thea again when the host stepped onto the stage with a microphone, chuckling warmly.
“Ladies and gentlemen, and our dear groom, you’ve all been waiting patiently, haven’t you? Yesterday, the bride left special instructions for a surprise she prepared for our groom, so we’ve arranged a little pre–ceremony event.”
Relief flooded through Terrence. So, this was the surprise Thea had hinted at.
“Now, everyone, please direct your attention to the screen!”
Every guest leaned forward, eyes locked on the display. Camera lenses zoomed in, determined not to miss a single moment. A faint smile bloomed on Terrence’s lips. He couldn’t wait to see what she’d arranged.
The screen flickered to life, and the entire audience gasped.
11
Two figures lay tangled on the couch, their ragged breaths slipping out in uneven bursts. Their faces stayed hidden, leaving the guests murmuring in speculation.
“Who are those two? They’ve got a death wish, crashing Mr. Hatcher’s wedding like this.”
“Exactly! Everyone knows how devoted he is to his bride. This is going to set him off for
re.”
Yet, Terrence recognized them immediately. The figures onscreen were undeniably him and Alyssa!
“Cut the feed! Now!” he roared at the host.
The host had obeyed Thea’s instructions to play the video, unaware of its contents. When the first frame flashed on the screen, he realized his terrible mistake. He rushed backstage to stop it, but panic turned his movements frantic. The computer froze, refusing to respond.
The video had now reached its climactic moment. The woman, nestled against the man’s shoulder, pulled away and removed her clothes while the man unbuttoned his shirt.
Only then did the crowd recognize one of the entangled figures. It was Terrence, the groom himself. As for the woman? Anyone in their social circle would have identified her immediately–Alyssa, Terrence’s assistant.
