Chapter 6 - the bride’s perfect lie
Ethan confronted Serena that afternoon.
He did not mention the memory card.
He wanted to see how easily she would lie.
They met in the empty ballroom where the wedding rehearsal would take place. Workers adjusted chandeliers while florists built walls of white roses around the altar.
Serena approached him with a rehearsed smile.
“You disappeared this morning.”
“Where is Lila?”
“She resigned.”
“Why?”
“She stole jewelry from my suite.”
Ethan stared at her.
“What jewelry?”
“A diamond bracelet.”
“Did you call the police?”
Serena hesitated.
“I wanted to avoid a scandal.”
“You accused her of theft but allowed her to leave?”
“She begged me.”
Ethan walked toward the altar.
“Did you take letters from my mother’s house?”
Serena followed him.
“No.”
“Did Oliver?”
“Why would Oliver be in your mother’s house?”
“You tell me.”
Serena’s expression shifted from confusion to wounded anger with impressive speed.
“Your mother is filling your head with lies.”
“My mother did not tell me Oliver was there.”
“Then who did?”
Ethan stopped.
Serena realized her mistake.
She had confirmed Oliver’s presence without being told there was evidence.
“You just said he wasn’t there,” Ethan said.
“I misunderstood.”
“No, you didn’t.”
Serena’s eyes filled with tears.
“Ethan, I am under enormous pressure. My mother is controlling every detail. Your mother dislikes me. The press is waiting for me to fail.”
“My mother made excuses for you.”
“She judges everything I do.”
“She gave you space because she thought you were nervous.”
Serena moved closer.
“I love you.”
“Then tell me the truth.”
“I am.”
“Did you take the letters?”
“No.”
“Did you know about the forged continuity certificate?”
“No.”
“Did you know someone used my authorization to arrange the sale of this hotel?”
Serena went completely still.
The answer appeared in her face before she spoke.
“What sale?”
Ethan felt something inside him break.
She knew.
Perhaps not every detail, but she knew enough to be afraid.
He looked around the ballroom.
For months, he had listened to Serena speak about the wedding as though it were a sacred beginning. Now the white flowers looked like decorations around a trap.
“I’m postponing the ceremony.”
Serena seized his arm.
“You cannot.”
“Watch me.”
“My family will be humiliated.”
“My mother has been humiliated since the engagement began.”
Serena’s tears vanished.
“You always choose her.”
“She never asked me to choose.”
“She doesn’t have to. She stands there looking fragile, and suddenly everyone protects her.”
Ethan removed Serena’s hand from his sleeve.
“I need space.”
“You owe me more than that.”
“I owe you nothing until you tell me the truth.”
He walked away.
Behind him, Serena spoke in a low, furious voice.
“If you cancel this wedding, you will lose more than me.”
Ethan turned.
“What does that mean?”
Serena looked toward the workers.
Her expression softened again.
“It means the scandal will damage your company.”
“That sounded like a threat.”
“It was a warning.”
Ethan left the ballroom.
Serena waited until the doors closed.
Then she took out her phone and called Celeste.
“He knows about the hotel sale.”
Celeste’s voice came through sharply.
“How much?”
“I don’t know.”
“Did he mention Thornbridge?”
“No.”
“Then the wedding continues.”
“He said he’s postponing it.”
Celeste was silent for several seconds.
“Make him believe Margaret is behind everything.”
“He won’t.”
“Then make Margaret do something he cannot forgive.”
Serena looked at the white rose altar.
“What?”
“Give her a reason to lose control in public.”
Serena lowered her voice.
“And if she doesn’t?”
A man answered instead of Celeste.
The voice was distant, calm, and unfamiliar.
“Then you will create one.”
Serena looked at the phone.
“Who is that?”
May you like
The call ended.
She did not realize that behind the flower wall, Nora Hale had heard every word.
