The guests had already taken their seats.


    Elodie nced over her shoulder at the entrance, just as the heavy doors swung open. Esmeralda appeared, her arm linked with her father''s, moving slowly, solemnly, toward the altar. For a moment, no one seemed to catch on that something was wrong. Phones went up, shes popped, and guests started snapping photos.


    Elodie''s lips were pressed tight, her heart twisting as she studied Esmeralda''s poised and lovely face. She knew exactly what it cost to maintain thatposure. Having lived through her own humiliations, she understood just how hard this moment must be for Esmeralda, and how vicious the whispers would be.


    When Esmeralda and her father reached the front, he paused, frowning in confusion there was no sign of Fleming. Esmeralda gave his arm a reassuring squeeze, wordlessly urging him to take his seat and not make a scene. After a brief hesitation, heplied.


    And so Esmeralda was left standing alone at the altar, under the bewildered-and increasingly concerned-eyes of every guest. Even the officiant looked lost, ncing around uncertainly. Without a groom, how was the ceremony supposed to go on?


    Adrian, unable to take it anymore, spotted Esmeralda''s calm facade and quickly pulled out his phone, trying to call Fleming. The call wouldn''t connect; it just rang and rang. Adrian felt anxiety begin to gnaw at him. This was a disaster—what the hell was Fleming thinking?


    In the front row, Esmeralda''s mother stood abruptly, her worry unmistakable. This wasn''t right at all.


    The hush among the audience broke into soft, pointed chatter.


    "What''s happening? Is this some kind of modern wedding where the groom makes a dramaticte entrance?"


    "Are you blind? Something''s seriously wrong. Looks like Fleming just ran off!" People gasped in disbelief. The looks shot toward Esmeralda shifted-what had started as idle curiosity now sharpened into pity and sneering amusement.


    "No way. The Mercer heir really ditched her at the altar?"


    “Come on, they''ve been engaged forever and only just now decided to get married. Doesn''t that tell you something? No way this took so long unless someone was having second thoughts."


    "Is Esmeralda Vance some kind of curse? Did she finally manage to drive him away for good?


    Thatstment drew a few snickers.


    “I heard she badgered him into marrying her anyway. Couldn''t take a hint, wouldn''t let go. And look-bullied or not, you can drag a man to the altar, but he can still leave you hanging. What''d she think she''d prove?"


    The mocking Jaughter was like a hailstorm, each word a small, cold stone pelting Esmeralda. And yet, she hadn''t the energy left to feel embarassed or angry she''d known she hadn''t needed to put an end to this today, she''d have left herself. The


    aralong this wasing et


    bigger the scene, the better. Let it all be ruined.


    Her father''s expression had gone rigid. This was humiliation not only for his daughter, but for the entire family—he could barely stand it. His fists clenched at his sides, his face mottled with anger and grief.


    Grady Vance, Esmeralda''s brother, had had enough. He stood up sharply, pushing past a row of chairs and mounting the steps to the stage. He reached out, ready to pull his sister down.


    "That''s it. We''re done here!" Grady''s voice shook with rage. "We''re not marrying into this circus. Get your things we''re leaving."


    Esmeralda remained perfectly still. Grady''s anger surged.


    "Don''t be stubborn! I don''t care


    what''s going on-he left you


    standing here, like this. If he can do


    that, he''s not a man. You deserve


    better. At the


    vory least


    you don''t


    deserve to be a punchline for these people!"


    But Esmeralda didn''t argue back. She caught her brother''s gaze, steady and quiet.


    "I know what I''m doing," she said simply.


    Grady looked far from reassured, but there was nothing more to say.


    Out in the audience, Lucy''s mother hadn''t moved. Everyone else was specting; but she alone understood exactly where Fleming was she''d checked on Lucy Cartier-her condition wasn''t serious. But by purposely not going to the hospital herself, she''d left Fleming as the only family beside Lucy, all but trapping him there. Let the Vances be humiliated-maybe this way her own daughter would finally get what she''d always wanted.


    After all, the Mercers'' wealth—all of it—would one day belong to Fleming. His father had always been a canny businessman; he''d made sure years ago that everything would pass to his only son.