CHAPTER 8: The Wedding Guests Remember

The guests would later tell different versions of what happened next.
Some would remember the cake first.
Some would remember Caleb’s face when he learned who Noah was.
Some would remember Ava standing without the tiara, suddenly less like a bride and more like a woman returning to herself.
The security guards did not touch Caleb. They simply stood close enough to remind him that the room was no longer his to command.
Charles spoke to the resort manager, who had appeared quietly near the main aisle. The manager nodded once and signaled staff to protect the scene exactly as it was.
Damaged cake.
Frosting on Noah’s vest.
Guests still holding champagne glasses they had forgotten to drink from.
Ava stepped toward Noah at last.
“I’m sorry,” she said.
Noah’s expression softened, but only slightly.
“You don’t owe me the first apology,” he said.
Ava turned to Caleb.
Her voice was quiet enough that everyone leaned in to hear it.
“The wedding is over.”
Caleb opened his mouth.
Nothing useful came out.
The floral arrangements remained perfect around them, useless and white.
That made the truth look even sharper.