Chapter 15 - The Bride Removes Her Ring
Evan stared at Lauren.
“What are you saying?”
Lauren looked at her husband.
“This began before today.”
Evan had searched Megan’s name.
He shared restricted information with Diane.
He laughed when guests mocked her.
And when the truth emerged, he worried first about the Parker reputation.
Lauren removed her wedding ring.
The room reacted in stunned silence.
Evan’s face went pale.
“You cannot be serious.”
“I married you three hours ago.”
“Exactly.”
“And I already know what happens when your family is threatened.”
Evan stepped closer.
“I did not know about the fraud.”
“You knew your mother wanted Megan isolated.”
“She said Megan could create a scene.”
Lauren looked toward her sister.
“Megan never created the scene. We did.”
Evan begged her not to make a decision while emotional.
Lauren almost laughed.
For years, people called Megan cold because she made difficult choices without crying.
Now Evan called Lauren emotional because she finally refused him.
“This marriage can be annulled,” Lauren said.
Diane shouted from across the room.
“You will not throw away your future over her.”
Lauren turned.
“My future was never safe here.”
She placed the ring on the head table.
Megan did not celebrate.
She knew leaving a powerful family would cost Lauren more than one reception.
Friends would disappear.
Money would be used as pressure.
The story would be rewritten.
But for the first time that night, Lauren was choosing something without asking whether the Parkers approved.
She walked to Megan’s side.
Not in front.
May you like
Not behind.
Beside her.
