Chapter 7 - The Reception Ambush
The reception was held in a grand ballroom overlooking the city.
Ethan and I spent the first hour greeting guests, laughing, and enjoying the music.
I received countless compliments on my uniform.
People thought it was a brilliant, unique choice, completely unaware of the nightmare that had caused it.
I kept an eye on my family's table.
Frank had been drinking heavily, his face flushed red with suppressed rage.
Tyler was pacing near the exit, arguing with someone on his phone.
I excused myself to go to the restroom to fix my hair.
As I walked down the quiet hallway away from the music, a heavy hand grabbed my arm and spun me around.
It was Tyler.
His breath reeked of whiskey, and his eyes were frantic.
"You need to fix this right now," Tyler demanded, his grip tight on my uniform sleeve.
"Let go of me, Tyler," I warned, my voice dangerously low.
"No!" he hissed. "You have to go talk to Sterling. Tell him Dad's business is fine. Tell him not to pull the funding."
"I am not lying for you," I said, yanking my arm free.
"You don't understand what you've done!" Tyler panicked. "If they audit us, I'm going to jail!"
I froze, staring at my golden-child brother.
"What did you do, Tyler?" I asked.
Before he could answer, my father rounded the corner, looking furious.
"Leave your brother alone!" Frank snapped, stepping between us.
"He grabbed me, Dad," I shot back.
"Because you are destroying our family!" Frank yelled.
"I didn't destroy my wedding dresses in the middle of the night!" I shouted, finally letting my own anger out.
"I had to!" Frank roared. "I needed you to cancel the wedding!"
The hallway went dead silent.
I stared at him, my mind struggling to process his words.
May you like
"What are you talking about?" I asked slowly.
"I couldn't pay for the reception," my father admitted, his face twisting with shame and anger.
