Chapter 5 - The Processional of Shadows
The church organ swelled into the opening chords of Pachelbel’s Canon in D. The massive double oak doors of the grand ballroom swung open, revealing three hundred guests dressed in black tie, diamond jewelry, and bespoke suits. Golden light filtered through the soaring stained-glass windows, illuminating the ninety-foot aisle paved with white silk and scattered with fresh ivory rose petals.
At the end of the altar stood Adrian.
He looked spectacular. His hair was meticulously styled, his posture rigid and triumphant. He stood with his hands loosely clasped in front of him, radiating the supreme confidence of an apex predator who had successfully pulled off the ultimate con. To his left stood Colleen, dressed in an emerald green gown, clutching a small lace handkerchief as she dabbed at nonexistent tears, playing the proud, noble mother of the groom to perfection.
The music shifted to the grand notes of the bridal march.
The guests stood in unison, turning their heads toward the rear entrance, eager to catch their first glimpse of Vanessa Vance, the billionaire heiress.
Instead of the bride, the heavy oak doors opened to reveal a lone woman walking slowly down the carpeted aisle.
She was not wearing lace or tulle. She wore a tailored black dress, black leather gloves, and a simple black fascinator veil partially covering her face. In her arms, she did not carry a traditional bouquet. She carried a massive memorial wreath constructed of white lilies, black ribbons, and dried thistle—the universal symbol of mourning.
A confused murmur swept through the front pews.
"Is this a modern artistic opening?" a wealthy woman in the front row whispered to her companion.
"Who is that woman? Where is Vanessa?" another guest murmured.
Adrian squinted through the dim light of the nave, a slight frown tugging at the corners of his mouth. He leaned toward his best man. "What is this? Did Arthur hire some avant-garde performance group?"
Colleen glanced toward the aisle.
May you like
The moment my shoes hit the midway mark, beneath the blazing golden spotlight of the center chandelier, I stopped. I raised both hands and slowly lifted the black veil over my hat.
I looked directly into Adrian's eyes.
