Chapter 1 From Engagement to Proposal
Chapter 1: From Engagement to Proposal
The cathedral doors burst open with a thunderous crash, interrupting the priest's solemn words. All two hundred guests turned as one, their champagne flutes frozen mid-sip.
Irene Walker stood silhouetted in the doorway, her emerald green dress clinging to every curve, a manila envelope clutched in her perfectly manicured hand.
"Stop the wedding!" Her voice echoed through the gilded arches. "This marriage can't happen!"
My hands tightened around my bouquet of white roses as she strutted down the aisle, her stilettos clicking like gunshots against the marble. The guests murmured, their whispers slithering through the pews like snakes.
At the altar, Dean's grip on my arm turned painful. "What the hell is she doing?" he hissed.
I knew. Oh God, I knew.
Irene stopped before us, her smirk venomous as she thrust the envelope at the priest. "A DNA test. Proving Audrey isn't a true Walker - just some orphan my parents took in out of pity."
The collective gasp from the crowd was deafening. My adoptive mother stood abruptly, her face twisted in triumph. "Finally! The truth comes out!" She snatched the microphone from the stunned priest. "This wedding is canceled. My real daughter will be taking her rightful place."
Dean released my arm like I'd burned him. "You... you lied to me?"
The hypocrisy stole my breath. For three years, I'd loved this man. Built my life around him. And now he looked at me like I was something foul he'd stepped in.
Irene slid her arm through Dean's, pressing her perfect body against his side. "Don't worry, darling. You'll have a real heiress on your arm soon enough."
The cathedral spun around me. Twenty-four years of love, erased in an instant. The whispers grew louder:
"Always knew something was off about her..."
"Just a gold-digging impostor..."
"Poor Dean, tricked into..."
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Then something inside me snapped.
I grabbed the nearest champagne flute and hurled it against the wall. The shattering glass silenced the crowd.
"You want to see a gold-digger?" My voice dripped venom as I turned to the front pew. "Let me show you a real one."
Matt Williamson watched me approach with those predator's eyes, his tailored suit straining over powerful shoulders. Without hesitation, I climbed onto his lap, my wedding dress pooling around us.
The crowd erupted.
"Mr. Williamson," I purred, loud enough for everyone to hear, "how would you like to become a groom today?"
Dean choked. "Dad! What the—"
Matt's large hands settled on my waist, burning through the lace. His voice rumbled against me: "Matthew, darling. And I believe this belongs to you."
From his pocket, he produced the Williamson emerald - the family heirloom Dean had refused to give me. The ring slid onto my finger as the projector screen lit up behind us, displaying their prenup:
*In event of divorce:
All assets to Audrey Williamson
Dean's inheritance revoked
Full parental rights surrendered to Matthew*
Irene screamed. "DAD! YOU CAN'T—"
Matt silenced her with a look. The priest cleared his throat nervously. "Shall we... proceed with the new vows?"
As we exchanged rings, I whispered to Dean: "Better start practicing: 'Happy Mother's Day.'"
The reception was a blur of shocked faces and forced congratulations. But in the limo afterward, Matt's grip turned brutal as he forced me to meet his gaze.
"Let's be clear," he growled. "This marriage has nothing to do with love, and everything to do with your real father."
My breath caught. "My... father?"
Matt's smile was colder than the diamonds around my neck. "Oh yes, Audrey. And he's very much alive."
As the city lights blurred past, my phone vibrated with an unknown number:
"He's lying. Your father is DEAD. And Matt killed him."
