Chapter 4 - Chapter 4: A Warning in the Hallway
Before the ceremony, Emily went to find water for Lily.The hotel hallway outside the main hall was quiet. Staff members moved quickly, carrying flowers, candles, and trays of champagne. Emily had almost reached the refreshment table when she heard voices near a side corridor.Ryan’s voice.And a woman’s voice.Emily stopped.She did not mean to listen. But Ryan sounded tense, almost desperate.“You said this would be handled before today,” the woman snapped.“I told you, I need more time,” Ryan replied.“You’re marrying into money today, Ryan. Don’t act poor now.”Emily frowned.A second later, a tall woman in a silver dress stepped out of the corridor. Samantha Vale. The wedding planner. Emily had seen her directing staff all morning.Samantha froze when she saw Emily.Ryan came out behind her.His face changed immediately.“What are you doing here?” he asked.“I was getting water for Lily,” Emily said.Ryan’s eyes narrowed. “Then get it and go.”Samantha smiled politely, but her fingers were tight around her phone.Emily looked from Samantha to Ryan.Something was wrong.Ryan stepped closer and lowered his voice. “Today is not the day for your imagination, Emily.”“I didn’t say anything.”“You don’t have to,” he said. “You always make yourself the victim.”Emily’s stomach tightened.She walked away with the water, but she could feel Ryan watching her.For the first time that day, she felt real fear.Not for herself.For Lily.
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