Chapter 8 - the plan beneath the rehearsal
The official announcement said Margaret’s hospital visit had been caused by exhaustion.
Serena sent flowers.
White roses.
Ethan ordered them removed before Margaret saw them.
For the next ten days, he pretended the wedding would continue. He attended the rehearsal, approved the menu, and stood beside Serena during a press interview.
In private, he barely spoke to her.
Serena noticed, but Celeste convinced her that he was simply overwhelmed.
“He will marry you,” Celeste said. “He has too much pride to cancel in front of the entire city.”
“And after the wedding?”
“After the wedding, pride will no longer matter.”
Ethan’s plan depended on making the Whitmores confident.
Adrian filed a false notice suggesting that the continuity certificate would be reviewed immediately after the vows. Nora arranged hidden microphones in the ballroom. The security director replaced half of Celeste’s guards with people loyal to Ethan.
Margaret agreed to attend under one condition.
“No one tells Serena what flowers I’m bringing.”
Ethan looked at her.
“Why flowers?”
“Because Richard always said a person reveals themselves by how they receive a gift they believe is beneath them.”
“You don’t need to test her.”
“I’m not testing Serena.”
Margaret tied a red ribbon around the bouquet she had prepared.
“I’m testing the room.”
During the rehearsal dinner, Celeste approached Margaret near the balcony.
“You recovered quickly.”
“I have good doctors.”
“You are fortunate.”
“I am.”
Celeste looked at the red roses in Margaret’s hands.
“Those are not part of the approved design.”
“They are not decorations.”
“Then leave them at home.”
Margaret smiled.
“Serena is marrying into a family with memories, Celeste. Not a showroom.”
Celeste stepped closer.
“You should be careful with memories. They often make old women confused.”
“Is that what you intend to tell people?”
Celeste’s eyes narrowed.
“I don’t know what you mean.”
“The false emails. The missing medication. The forged certificate.”
For the first time, Celeste’s composure cracked.
Only slightly.
But Margaret saw it.
“You have no proof,” Celeste said.
“Not yet.”
Celeste’s gaze moved toward the crowded dining room.
“You believe Ethan will choose you over Serena.”
“This was never a competition.”
“All mothers say that until their sons marry.”
Margaret looked at her calmly.
“A good mother does not need to own her child to know she is loved.”
The remark landed deeper than Margaret expected.
Celeste’s face hardened.
“Bring your flowers tomorrow. Wear your little floral dress. Smile for the guests.”
“I intend to.”
“And when the evening ends, remember that I offered you the chance to leave with dignity.”
Margaret held her gaze.
“Is that what someone offered Richard?”
Celeste stopped breathing.
Margaret saw the answer before Celeste recovered.
“You are a cruel woman,” Celeste whispered.
“You knew him.”
“Everyone knew Richard Vale.”
“No. You knew what he called his private plans.”
Celeste turned away.
Margaret caught her wrist.
“Who owns Thornbridge Holdings?”
Celeste pulled free.
“Ask your husband.”
“My husband disappeared twenty years ago.”
Celeste’s smile returned.
“Then perhaps you have been asking the wrong question for twenty years.”
She left the balcony.
Margaret stood motionless until Ethan joined her.
“What did she say?”
Margaret repeated the conversation.
Ethan’s expression darkened.
“She wants you afraid.”
“She succeeded.”
“Then we end this now.”
“No. Tomorrow, they will expect me to arrive uncertain and alone.”
“You won’t be alone.”
Margaret looked through the open doors.
Serena stood beside the wedding cake, laughing with guests.
Oliver watched from the far side of the room.
When he noticed Margaret looking at him, he touched the thorn-shaped pin on his lapel.
May you like
Then he mouthed two words.
Wear red.
