Chapter 5 - Unmasking The Golden Boy
The terrace went dead silent. The faint sound of the band playing inside seemed miles away.
Vanessa stared at the young woman, her eyes darting to the country club name tag pinned to her apron: Elena.
""What did you just say?"" Vanessa's voice was barely a squeak.
""I said Gideon doesn't love you,"" Elena repeated, her voice gaining strength despite her trembling hands. ""Two nights ago, after the rehearsal dinner, Gideon asked me to bring extra wine to his suite. When I did, he pulled me inside. He told me getting married was just a strategic move for his firm's image, that you were needy and exhausting, but your family's connections were too valuable to pass up.""
Elena reached into her apron pocket and pulled out a sleek smartphone. ""He gave me a thousand dollars in cash to keep quiet, and he’s been texting me all afternoon asking if I'm working the late shift tonight. Look.""
Vanessa snatched the phone. Declan watched as the color drained completely from her face. Her breathing turned shallow, ragged, her eyes scanning the screen as message after message confirmed the disgusting truth.
Gideon hadn't changed. He was the same entitled, parasitic opportunist he had always been. When Declan was riding high, Gideon wanted Declan's life. When Declan crashed, Gideon swooped in to claim the spoils. And the moment he had secured them, he was already looking for the next cheap thrill.
""No... no, this is fake. You're lying!"" Vanessa cried, throwing the phone back onto the tray. ""Declan paid you to do this!""
""I didn't even know who Declan was until five minutes ago,"" Elena said angrily. ""I worked this wedding because I needed the tip money for college tuition. But hearing that speech inside made me sick to my stomach. Your husband is a predator, lady.""
The terrace door clicked open. Gideon stepped out, a champagne glass in his hand, a smug grin on his lips.
""Vanessa, babe, what's taking so long? The photographer wants to do the cake cutting—""
Gideon stopped dead in his tracks. He saw Vanessa standing pale as a ghost, Declan staring at him with cold pity, and Elena standing with her tray.
The smirk vanished from Gideon’s face in an instant.
""Elena?"" Gideon stammered, the glass trembling slightly in his grip. ""What are you doing out here? Vanessa, what's going on?""
""Is it true?"" Vanessa whispered, her voice cracking like dry wood.
""Is what true? Honey, what are you talking about?""
""You told her I was needy! You told her this wedding was just a business arrangement!"" Vanessa lunged forward, her manicured nails digging into the lapels of Gideon's tuxedo. ""You gave her money to stay in your suite two nights ago!""
Gideon's gaze flicked to Declan with frantic venom. ""Declan! Did you orchestrate this? Are you that desperate to ruin my life?!""
Declan didn't move. He stood with his hands in his pockets, feeling a sudden, profound wave of emptiness wash over him. There was no joy in this moment. No triumphant thrill. Only the tragic realization of how completely blind he had been to his brother's rotten soul.
""I didn't have to ruin your life, Gideon,"" Declan said quietly. ""You do that entirely on your own.""
""Shut up! Shut up!"" Gideon roared, shoving Vanessa aside and lunging toward Declan with a clenched fist. ""You ruined everything! You were always the favorite, always the responsible one, and even with that ugly, mutilated face, you still think you're better than me!""
Gideon swung wildly.
Declan didn't flinch. Years of high school wrestling and heavy physical labor kicked in. He stepped inside the arc of Gideon's punch, caught his brother's wrist, twisted it sharply, and shoved Gideon backward. Gideon tripped over an iron patio chair and crashed heavily onto the flagstone floor, sending his champagne glass shattering across the stone.
The commotion brought the terrace doors flying open.
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Lorraine, Beatrice, and a dozen guests spilled out into the garden, gasping at the sight of the groom sprawled on the ground amidst broken glass, his bride sobbing uncontrollably, and Declan standing completely unbothered.
***
