Chapter 6 - The Handcuffs Click
The sharp, metallic click of handcuffs snapping around Nathan's wrists sounded louder in the cathedral than the organ ever had. An officer pushed him forward, bending him over the pristine white altar cloth to pat him down.
Nathan thrash against the officer's grip, his face contorted with rage. ""You set me up! You planned this whole thing! You knew about the fraud weeks ago!""
""Of course I did,"" I said, meeting his bloodshot eyes without flinching. ""I found the first discrepancy three weeks ago when I noticed an unauthorized credit check on my grandfather's trust. But I knew that if I confronted you privately, you would hire high-priced lawyers, burn the evidence, move the offshore capital, and slip away before anyone could press charges.""
""So you smiled at me? You let me plan this wedding? You bought the dress?"" he spit out, breathing heavily as the officer pulled him upright.
""I needed you to feel completely safe,"" I answered coldly. ""I needed you to gather all your primary investors, your wealthy accomplices, your society enablers, and the city's press into one single room. I needed every person whose life you ruined to see you for exactly what you are.""
I stepped closer, until I was standing inches from him. I pointed to the swollen, purplish bruise around my eye.
""Last night, you thought you silenced me,"" I said, my voice steady and firm. ""You thought that hitting me would break my confidence and force me to submit to your control. But all you did was provide the final piece of evidence the authorities needed to refuse bail. You proved you were an immediate danger to society.""
Victoria tried to intervene, grabbing the arresting agent’s sleeve. ""Officer, wait! You can't do this to my son! We have connections! We know the governor! We demand our attorneys!""
""Ma'am, step aside or you will be arrested for obstruction of justice,"" the federal agent warned without stopping his stride.
As Nathan was marched down the long aisle in handcuffs, the three hundred guests stood up—not to applaud the bride and groom, but to clear a path of absolute contempt. Former business associates turned their backs on him. Family friends shook their heads in disgust. Several people took out their phones, recording his walk of shame to post directly to social media.
When he reached the cathedral doors, Nathan turned his head one last time, screaming my name with unbridled fury. But the officers shoved him into the back of a waiting police cruiser, the siren wailed into the afternoon sky, and the doors slammed shut.
May you like
My father walked over to me, wrapping a warm, strong arm around my shoulders. He reached out with his other hand and gently touched the unbruised side of my cheek. ""You did it, sweetheart. It’s over.""
""Not quite yet, Dad,"" I murmured, looking over at the front row where Victoria sat collapsed on the mahogany pew, completely abandoned by her high-society peers.
