Chapter 8 - The Saint Regis Cathedral
The Saint Regis Cathedral was a breathtaking masterpiece of stained glass, high arched ceilings, and white floral arrangements worth fifty thousand dollars. Over three hundred high-society guests filled the polished oak pews—business titans, politicians, socialites, and media figures.
At 1:45 PM, the organ began to play soft prelude music.
Near the front row, on the bride's side, sat the Sterling family in impeccable morning suits and designer gowns. Opposite them, on the groom's side, sat my parents and Aunt Marlene.
My mother sat stiffly in her pew, her eyes hollow, wearing thick makeup that barely concealed her red, swollen eyes. My father stared blankly at his program, knowing that his business was facing total liquidation by Monday. Aunt Marlene sat hunched over, shivering nervously every time someone looked in her direction.
And then, the side doors opened.
Alexander and I walked down the main aisle toward our reserved seats in the front row.
I wore a breathtaking bespoke lavender-silk dress designed by a top Italian house, fitted perfectly to my frame, with a delicate silver capelet that caught the light of the altar candles. On my wrist sat a matching diamond bracelet, and my hand rested comfortably inside Alexander's firm grip.
Whispers erupted across the pews like wildfire.
"Is that... Alexander Hale?"
"Who is the woman with him? She looks like an angel!"
"That's Emily Vance! Lucas's sister! She's married to Hale!"
"Wait, I thought the Vance family said she was an unemployed assistant?!"
"Are you kidding? Look at that blue diamond on her finger! That ring costs more than this cathedral!"
Arthur Sterling leaned across the center aisle, catching Alexander’s eye, bowing his head with intense respect. Alexander offered a polite nod, sliding smoothly into the front pew beside my trembling mother.
Eleanor didn't dare look at me. She kept her eyes glued straight ahead, her hands trembling violently around her lace handkerchief.
At precisely two o'clock, the heavy doors at the back of the cathedral swung open.
The traditional wedding march filled the massive hall.
Lucas stood near the altar beside his best man, looking handsome in his custom tuxedo, though his eyes were frantic, darting repeatedly toward Alexander and me. He was terrified. He knew his twenty-million-dollar loan was gone, and he had no idea what other revelations were waiting in the wings.
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Chloe Sterling stepped onto the white aisle carpet, holding her father's arm, wearing a massive diamond-encrusted ballgown. She looked triumphant, marching toward the altar like a queen reclaiming a throne.
She had no idea that the empire she thought she was marrying into was nothing more than a hollow cardboard box waiting for the rain.
