Chapter 3 - The Wedding Shattered
I burst out of the bridal suite, clutching the envelope tightly in my hand.
The wedding coordinator rushed toward me, holding a clipboard and looking incredibly stressed.
“Sophie, the music is starting, we need to line up immediately!” she hissed.
I pushed past her, hiking up the heavy layers of my expensive ivory gown.
Mark was waiting at the end of the aisle, looking perfectly handsome and entirely oblivious.
I did not walk toward the altar.
I sprinted toward the main entrance of the cathedral, shocking every single guest in the pews.
“Sophie, where are you going?!” Mark yelled, abandoning his position to chase after me.
I pushed open the heavy wooden doors and ran out into the bright afternoon sun.
The city streets were crowded, but there was no sign of the ragged man who had just begged for a hug.
The security guards were standing by the gate, smoking cigarettes and laughing casually.
“Where did he go?” I screamed at them, my voice cracking with absolute desperation.
“The homeless guy? We tossed him in the back alley, lady,” one guard sneered.
I ran toward the dark alleyway, ignoring the sharp gravel tearing at my expensive satin shoes.
May you like
But the alley was completely empty, except for a few overturned trash cans.
My father was gone.
