Chapter 9 - THE WEDDING CRASHERThe wedding was scheduled for October.
Claire wanted small.
Roman's family interpreted “small” as two hundred people.
Claire threatened cancellation.
The list became eighty-seven.
Progress.
Lily was maid of honor.
Susan appointed herself “executive wedding supervisor.”
Nobody had authorized this.
Nobody could stop her.
Three days before the ceremony, Claire received a letter.
No return address.
Inside was a photograph of Roman.
With a woman.
Kissing her.
Claire's stomach dropped.
The timestamp was recent.
She stared.
Every insecurity she'd conquered tried returning at once.
Of course.
Of course a man like Roman eventually—
She stopped herself.
No.
She had learned something.
Ask.
Don't assume.
She drove directly to Roman.
Placed the photograph on his desk.
“Explain.”
Roman looked.
Then laughed.
Claire's eyes narrowed.
“Dangerous response.”
“That's not me.”
“It looks exactly like you.”
“Look at the hand.”
She did.
The man wore a gold ring.
Roman never wore rings.
Then she noticed the tattoo.
Wrong wrist.
Manipulated image.
“Who sent it?”
Roman's expression darkened.
They investigated.
Daniel.
Claire's ex.
Again.
He had paid someone to create the image.
Why?
Jealousy.
Money.
A tabloid had promised him another payment if the wedding collapsed publicly.
Claire didn't cry.
She didn't hide.
She called Daniel.
Put him on speaker.
Roman sat beside her.
“You sent the photograph.”
Silence.
Then Daniel said:
“You really think he'll marry you?”
Claire smiled.
“Yes.”
“You're going to embarrass yourself.”
“No.”
She looked at Roman.
“I embarrassed myself for years by believing people like you.”
Daniel hung up.
That was the end.
Claire blocked him.
Not dramatically.
Not revengefully.
Simply permanently.
Three days later, she walked down the aisle.
Roman waited.
Black suit.
No intimidating entourage.
No business associates.
Just family.
Claire wore ivory.
Sleeves.
A fitted waist.
A full skirt.
For years she had avoided photographs.
At her wedding, she asked the photographer for more.
Full length.
Profile.
Laughing.
Dancing.
Every angle.
Because she was finished hiding.
When she reached Roman, he whispered:
“You look beautiful.”
Claire smiled.
“I know.”
Roman's eyes widened.
Then he smiled too.
“Good.”
Their vows were simple.
Claire promised honesty.
Roman promised respect.
Neither promised perfection.
Lily cried throughout.
At the reception, Claire danced with Roman.
Then Lily.
Then Susan dragged Roman onto the dance floor.
It was catastrophic.
Roman Duke could negotiate with criminals.
He could not dance.
Claire recorded everything.
“Delete that.”
“Never.”
“I have resources.”
“I have cloud backup.”
Roman stared.
“You've become dangerous.”
“I had an excellent teacher.”
Then Lily approached.
She held something.
Her mother's letter.
“I want you both to have this.”
Roman shook his head.
“That's yours.”
“I know.”
Lily opened it.
Read one paragraph aloud.
Family isn't the people who control where you go. Family is the people who make sure you know you can always come back.
Roman's eyes filled.
Claire took his hand.
Lily continued.
If Roman ever becomes too serious, somebody please make him laugh.
Claire smiled.
“I accept the assignment.”
Roman looked toward the ceiling.
“Thank you, Elena.”
Lily laughed through tears.
Then the three of them hugged.
Not replacing Elena.
Never.
Building around the space she left.
Making something new.
Something safe.
May you like
Something chosen.
A family.
