Maurice and the others were almost spot on with their guesses. He let out a strained hiss. "They ran off together? Wait-hang on, that can''t be right."


    Who ever heard of a groom eloping with his own bride?


    Even the matriarch was baffled. "So what exactly is his n now?"


    Lucinda and the others all turned to look at her.


    There were only ten minutes left before the ceremony was supposed to begin.


    The butler, dabbing nervously at the sweat on his brow, looked like he''d never seen anything like this in all his years of service. "Mr. Silverstein said to go ahead and seat the guests. When the timees, everything will be made clear."


    Everyone exchanged uneasy nces. None of them felt the least bit confident, but with the bride and groom missing, what else could they do?


    They didn''t even know where the couple had gone.


    The matriarch made a decisive call. "Enough. Let''s just trust Jarrod."


    The arrangements were set, the guests were here—whatever happened, they had to see this through.


    Esmeralda, anxious and fidgeting, spun around and hurried to call Elodie.


    But all she got was a pre-recorded message: "The number you have dialed is unavable."


    Esmeralda stared at her phone, speechless.


    So she was being shut out too? Elodie hadn''t even told her?


    Frustrated, she turned around-just in time to spot Fleming, who had already arrived.


    He noticed her as well. Before Esmeralda could school her expression, she saw Lucy gliding up behind Fleming.


    Lucy caught Esmeralda''s eye and offered a warm, polite wave.


    Friendly and gracious as ever.


    Esmeralda felt a twinge of difort, but she knew Lucy had done nothing to deserve her resentment. It wasn''t Lucy''s fault things with Fleming were soplicated. So she simply nodded in return.


    Alexander Sterling strode over, taking in the scene with his usualposure. He stopped by Esmeralda''s side and, without warning, gave her a light tap on the back of the head. "Don''t be an idiot."


    Esmeralda clutched her head and red up at him.


    Alexander ignored her, nodding toward the front. "You want to sit with him, or with me?"


    After all, Esmeralda was still officially Fleming''s fiancée, so being seen together wouldn''t have raised any eyebrows.


    Esmeralda wilted, looking down at her shoes. "He''s already gotpany. I''m not going to crash the party."


    Alexander watched her for a moment, then moved ahead. "At least you''re not a total fool."


    Esmeralda pursed her lips and followed, forcing herself not to nce in Fleming''s direction.


    Fleming, for his part, just cast a brief


    look at Esmeralda''s retreating back before turning to Lucy "Let''s head


    inside. It''s cold up here on the mountain."  s


    Lucy nudged him yfully. "Aren''t you going to look for Elodie?"


    Fleming''s expression didn''t change. "No need."


    Lucy sighed. "You don''t have to babysit me, you know. I can take care of myself."


    Fleming''s face remained as impassive as ever, not budging an inch.


    Lucy just smiled, slipping her arm through his.


    Meanwhile, the guests were gradually being shown to their seats.


    When the time came, everyone was ushered into the main hall.


    Floor-to-ceiling windows lined each wall, framing a breathtaking view of snowy mountains outside. The scenery was so beautiful, so serene,


    it seemed to


    calm everyone''s


    nerves.


    s


    But as the minute hand ticked to the scheduled hour, there was still no sign of the bride and groom.


    A ripple of whispering began to spread among the guests confusion and spection buzzing beneath the surface.<fn36a9> Original content can be found at FindN0vel</fn36a9>


    Esmeralda felt her anxiety spike. Thest thing she wanted was to see today be fresh gossip fodder for people eager to criticize Elodie.


    But just as her nerves threatened to get the better of her-


    The massive screen at the front of the hall flickered to life.


    All those hushed conversations instantly died away as every eye swung toward


    the stage.


    Even the matriarch and her circle looked on, startled and intrigued.


    And then-


    A video began to y. Jarrod''s face appeared on the screen.


    But it was Jarrod from years ago—a younger, more boyish version,cking theposed maturity he had now.


    Lucinda recognized it almost immediately. This was Jarrod at about twenty, maybe a bit younger.


    He must have used a professional camera; the setting was unmistakably the best high school in Eldermere. It was graduation day.


    The footage showed more than just his face. the upper left corner of the screen, a girl stood at the edge of a crowd, holding a bouquet of yellow roses smiling for a group. photo.


    s


    Esmeralda''s eyes went wide. She smacked Alexander on the arm. "Elodie! That''s Elodie''s high school graduation!"


    Everyone stared in surprise as the scene unfolded.


    Jarrod never approached the crowd, but even from afar, the way his camera


    lingered was telling. It was obvious who had captured his attention.