My Fiancé Betrayed The Wrong Mafia Heiress Chapter 07
Their Day of Judgment
On the morning of my wedding, my mother comes to the bridal suite to adjust my veil.
I sit in front of the mirror in a white silk gown. The sapphire and diamond necklace she chose for me rests against my collarbone.
When she gave it to me, she said only the finest jewelry was worthy of her favorite daughter.
Now I wonder if any part of that moment was real.
“Ethan has been under a lot of pressure,” she says as she smooths the fabric over my shoulder. “Once you’re married, stop fighting with him over little things.”
I meet her eyes in the mirror.
“You call a five-year affair a little thing?”
Her expression tightens.
“Men sometimes lose control before marriage. What matters is that you’re the woman he’s marrying.”
“And if he loves someone else?”
Her hands pause.
“Marriage requires more than love, Serena. In a few hours, you’ll be Mrs. Carter. You’ll have status, security, and a child. Don’t ruin your future because you want everything.”
Everything.
Apparently, asking the man I’m about to marry not to sleep with my sister is greed.
Before I can answer, the door opens.
Vanessa walks in wearing an ivory gown.
The fitted bodice, full skirt, and pearl-covered fabric make it look far too much like a wedding dress. A thin layer of tulle falls from her shoulders.
If I were not sitting here in my gown and veil, anyone could mistake her for the bride.
She stops in the doorway.
“I’m sorry,” she says softly. “Something spilled on my bridesmaid dress. This was the only replacement I could find.”
Her eyes begin to fill with tears.
“You don’t mind, do you, Serena?”
My mother immediately crosses the room and takes her hand.
“It’s only a dress. Today is important to you too. There’s nothing wrong with wanting to look beautiful.”
Vanessa leans into her arms.
My mother strokes her back, comforting her as if she is the daughter being humiliated today.
The door opens again.
Ethan steps inside.
His gaze goes straight to Vanessa.
“Why are you crying?”
He walks quickly to her and wipes a tear from her cheek.
He does not even look at me.
Vanessa shakes her head.
“It’s nothing. I’m just worried Serena doesn’t like my dress.”
Only then does Ethan turn around.
His eyes pass over my wedding gown without interest. Then his gaze drops to my stomach.
“Don’t cause trouble today.”
No compliment.
No smile.
Not even a moment of surprise when he sees the woman he is supposed to marry.
Only a warning.
I look at Vanessa’s ivory dress.
“And if I do mind?”
Ethan frowns and walks toward me.
He lowers his voice.
“Don’t forget about the baby.”
I almost laugh.
That imaginary child is still the only power he thinks he has over me.
“The guests are already here,” he continues. “If you create a scene now, you’ll only embarrass yourself.”
His eyes harden.
“Smile, finish the ceremony, and think about your child’s future.”
I hold his gaze.
“What about our marriage?”
“What about it?”
“Are you planning to keep sleeping with Vanessa after I become your wife?”
Vanessa lets out a small sob behind him.
Ethan glances back at her, then looks at me with open disgust.
“Not today, Serena.”
Of course.
Vanessa’s tears matter.
Mine never have.
A wedding coordinator appears at the door.
“Mr. Carter, the ceremony is about to begin.”
Ethan returns to Vanessa’s side.
“Come on.”
He places a hand against her back and leads her out of the room. My mother follows them.
No one looks back at me.
For several seconds, I remain alone in front of the mirror.
Then I lift my bouquet and pull the black drive from its hidden compartment.
Every photograph.
Every recording.
The fake pregnancy report.
The agreement between our families.
The evidence Daniel died trying to expose.
It is all here.
I slide the drive back beneath the flowers and stand.
Music begins outside the closed doors.
At the end of the hall, my father waits for me with a proud smile.
He holds out his hand.
“Are you ready?”
I take his arm.
“Of course.”
The doors begin to open.
They think I am walking toward my wedding.
I am walking toward their judgment.