Chapter 7 - The House of Cards Crumbles
David looked at Vanessa like he was seeing a stranger.
"You lied to me," he said softly.
"David, please, we can figure this out! Just pay them so we can get married!" Vanessa begged, reaching for his arm.
He pulled back.
"It's not about the money, Vanessa. It's about the lie."
"You told me your sister was unstable. You told me she was jealous of you and refused to help."
"You kicked her out of the rehearsal dinner last night just to humiliate her."
He looked around the room.
"You made her fund this entire circus, and then you treated her like garbage."
David turned to my parents.
"And you let her do it."
My father tried to speak. "David, son, families get complicated..."
"Don't call me son," David snapped.
He looked back at Vanessa. The beautiful dress didn't hide the ugly truth anymore.
"There is no wedding," David said.
Vanessa let out a horrific scream. "No! You can't do this! The guests are downstairs!"
"Then go tell them the truth," David said.
He took off his tuxedo jacket, threw it on the nearest chair, and walked out of the room.
The silence that followed was deafening.
Vanessa collapsed onto the floor, sobbing uncontrollably into her custom silk gown.
My mother dropped to her knees beside her.
Marcus cleared his throat awkwardly.
"So... I will inform the staff to begin the final breakdown of the event space."
My father looked at me, his eyes full of anger.
"Are you happy now, Mara? You destroyed your sister's life."
May you like
I didn't flinch.
"I didn't destroy anything. I just stopped paying for the illusion."
