Chapter 11 - The Abandoned Altar
Julian stood up,
holding Lily tightly in his arms,
pressing her head against his shoulder,
protecting her from the glares of the crowd.
He turned his back on Vanessa,
leaving her standing alone,
at the center of the grand stage,
under the bright,
mocking lights.
"Where are you going?!"
Vanessa screamed,
her voice cracked with desperation,
running after him,
grabbing the sleeve of his tuxedo.
"We have a wedding to finish!"
"You can't leave me here like this!"
Julian stopped,
turning his head slightly,
his eyes colder than ice,
looking at her hand on his arm.
"Touch me again,
and I will ensure you spend the rest of your life in prison,"
he said quietly,
each word sharp as a razor,
cutting through her remaining confidence.
Vanessa froze,
her hand dropping instantly,
as she realized the depth of his anger,
the absolute finality of his decision.
Julian walked down the steps of the stage,
stepping over the broken crystal,
stepping over the spilled champagne,
walking away from the grand illusion.
The guests watched in stunned silence,
parting like the Red Sea,
May you like
as the groom walked out of his own wedding,
carrying the daughter he had just discovered.
