The words struck Ethan like a physical blow.
“STOP!” he thundered. “Mark—go see who she is. Don’t let them hurt her.”
“You’re ruining our wedding!” Lara screamed, digging her nails into him. “She’s nobody!”
Ethan pulled free.
“Wait.”
Mark reached the gate. When he saw the woman’s face, he turned deathly pale.
“E-Emily…?”
She could barely speak. With trembling hands, she pulled a dirt-covered USB drive from her pocket.
“Show him… the truth…”
She collapsed.
Mark rushed to the control booth.
There was only one file on the drive.
Date: Ten years ago.
On screen: Diane and Lara Montgomery, sitting across from a shady man.
“The photos are perfect,” Diane said. “Ethan will believe that country girl cheated.”
“She deserves it,” Lara laughed. “After that, I’ll be the one to comfort him.”
Mark felt sick.
Minutes later, the video was projected for everyone to see.
The garden fell into dead silence.
Ethan walked toward Lara, his eyes blazing.
“You stole ten years of my life. You destroyed the woman I loved.”
Lara dropped to her knees.
“I did it because I loved you!”
He didn’t look at her.
He turned and went to Emily.
“I never betrayed you,” she whispered. “I just wanted you to know… before I die.”