Chapter 5

The phone rang repeatedly, unanswered. Anthony, Marcelo, and Connor, initially on edge and worried Emelie might be telling the truth, relaxed as her calls went unanswered.

Anthony snorted. “What’s the matter? Didn’t coordinate this beforehand?”

Marcelo, relieved, let out a sigh, his tense expression easing. “I really thought you had something up your sleeve. Is this all?”

“Alright, we’ll each give you ten million dollars. Consider it payment for the wedding dress,” Connor said nonchalantly, then gently wiped away Melissa’s tears. “Don’t cry, Mel. I’ll take you shopping. You can pick whatever you want, even a more beautiful wedding dress.”

He escorted her to the car, followed by the others.

The moment they left, Emelie’s phone vibrated. Tyler texted: “In a meeting. I’ll call you later. Is it urgent?”

She replied, “No, it’s fine. Sorry for bothering you. I just wanted to say… I’m sorry. The wedding dress was ruined. I was careless.”

His response was almost immediate: “No problem. I’ll have a new one made and sent over.”

Ezra and Kaitlyn returned home, their faces darkening at the sight of the shredded dress. Hearing the full story, their expressions turned thunderous.

“I only pitied Stephanie and Melissa, thinking it wasn’t easy for a single mother and her daughter. Turns out they’re both rotten to the core!” Kaitlyn fumed. She instructed Griffin Brown, the family butler, “Griffin, fire them immediately. Let this be justice for Emelie!” Taking Emelie’s hand, she added tenderly, “Don’t worry, Emelie. We won’t let you suffer unjustly.”

Emelie, moved, murmured her thanks and left with the tattered dress. Tyler had designed it specifically for her; she had to repair it.

Griffin acted swiftly. By the time Emelie returned, Stephanie and Melissa had been evicted.

Emelie breathed a sigh of relief, anticipating peaceful days before her wedding. However, entering her room, she found chaos—her belongings scattered. Melissa, undoubtedly, was the culprit.

Resigned, Emelie began tidying, when she heard heavy footsteps. The door burst open, and Anthony, Marcelo, and Connor stormed in.

“Emelie, how could you be so cruel to Mel? It was just a wedding dress. We’ve already paid for it. Why did you force her out?” Anthony barked, gripping her wrist.

Emelie yanked her arm free. “Think what you want.”

Her dismissive tone infuriated Marcelo. “What’s with your attitude? Aren’t you going to apologize to Mel?”

“What do I have to apologize for?” she asked, genuinely perplexed.

Connor grabbed her arm, dragging her toward the door. “You’re coming with me to apologize!”

This was the final straw. Emelie wrenched free, shouting, “Enough! There are only ten days left! My wedding is in ten days; afterward, I’ll be out of your lives for good. We’ll have nothing to do with each other. I’m begging you—just endure these ten days and stop bothering me!”

She shoved them out, slamming and locking the door.

Silence followed. Then, Connor’s cold voice pierced the quiet: “Emelie, drop the act. We’re not buying it.”

Emelie slid to the floor, exhaustion overwhelming her. Whether they believed her or not no longer mattered. She was already married.