Chapter 1 - The Breaking Point
Grant tapped his spoon against the glass one more time.
The sharp sound echoed through the silent banquet hall.
Everyone was staring at him.
Vanessa reached for his arm, her fake smile already plastered on her face.
He gently but firmly pulled his arm away from her grasp.
I had never seen my son do that before.
"I want to thank you all for coming," Grant began, his voice surprisingly steady.
"Especially Vanessa’s family, who all coordinated so beautifully in blue."
A nervous chuckle rippled through the crowd.
Vanessa’s mother, Diane, puffed out her chest with a smug look.
"As I was told earlier today, blue is exclusively for family," Grant continued.
He locked eyes with me, and I saw a flicker of profound sadness in them.
"My mother was asked not to wear blue so she wouldn't ruin the photos."
Gasps erupted from my side of the family.
Vanessa's face flushed a deep, angry crimson.
"Grant, sit down right now," she hissed through gritted teeth.
He ignored her completely.
"But that's fine, because this isn't actually a wedding."
The entire room erupted into whispers and confused murmurs.
I gripped the edge of my table so hard my knuckles turned white.
Vanessa stood up, trying to grab the microphone from his hand.
Grant stepped back, holding it far out of her reach.
"We never signed the marriage license."
Diane jumped out of her seat, her blue dress swishing aggressively.
"What on earth are you talking about, Grant?" she demanded loudly.
Grant reached into his inner jacket pocket and pulled out a folded piece of paper.
"I'm talking about this."
He unfolded it, revealing the blank, unsigned legal document.
"And I'm talking about the prenup Vanessa tried to forge yesterday."
Vanessa lunged for the paper, but she wasn't fast enough.
Grant held it high in the air for everyone to see.
"She forged my signature to take half of my company."
The room went dead silent.
Suddenly, a loud, slow clapping came from the back of the room.
We all turned to see the best man, Mark, stepping out of the shadows.
He was smiling a wicked, terrifying smile.
"You figured it out, buddy," Mark said.
May you like
He reached into his pocket and pulled out a small black remote.
"But you're about ten minutes too late."
