nd hushed whispers. Braden Strong moved through the crowd in h

aumont relative. He dabbed at a dry eye. "To celebrate our love

rimmed eyes. Swollen from crying. The devastated best friend. Fl

d. He'd fought against this sham of a wedding. But Braden had been persuasive. Cited a fak

arch swelled through the ballroom

he app

Simple white silk gown. Clear, sharp eyes. She stepped for

f. Each step was a quiet act of will. Her legs trembled. Her hand gr

oom. Then stunned murmuring.

ormative grief melted into horror. The colo

. Tears of real joy streaming down t

s at the altar. She walked past her parents. Took the microphone from th

to my funeral. Oh, my ap

in the air. Thi

her. Arms outstretched. Overjoyed fianc

ire. "Yes, it is a miracle, Braden. A miracle tha

aphina. Standing discreetly

red to life. Sterile white walls of Clara'

nce. Echoed through the ballroom. The video showed them kissing. Bodies

Then an explos

ea stood frozen.

s fist connected with Braden's jaw. Security

fake! It's all fake! You can't do this to my son!" Her voice rose to a hysterical pitch. "And so what if it is

the room. The Beaumonts turned their b

d the microphone again. Her

ding is c

pa

t get marr

at her like she'

executed in partnership with a spouse. So I have a new proposal. Any man in this room willing to ma

calculation. Rippled through the gu

whispers and nervous

the ballroom, a figur

ence that drew every eye. A perfectl

ht. Her heart slamm

the bar

ntense blue eyes locked with hers.

d. His voice was low. Steady.