Chapter 49: The Wedding Day

The wedding day dawned cloudy, as if even the weather shared the tension and unease in the air. Alexander was in his room, adjusting his tie in front of the mirror with a serious expression and a distant gaze. He recalled Ethan’s words from the night before, his doubts and fears becoming harder to ignore.

Just as he finished getting ready, there was a knock at the door. When he opened it, he found Isabella standing there, wearing a simple but elegant dress that highlighted her natural beauty.

—"I didn’t think you’d want to see me before..." —Alexander tried to smile, but his expression reflected a mix of nostalgia and sadness.

—"I wanted to wish you luck," —Isabella said, trying to hold back her own feelings as she looked at him intensely—. "Though… I can’t deny it hurts to see you make this decision."

Alexander lowered his gaze, taking Isabella’s hand in his—. "Don’t think this is easy for me. It’s just… there are things I have to do, even if I don’t fully understand them."

Isabella squeezed his hand gently and, on an impulse, hugged him—. "Promise me you’ll be okay, Alexander. No matter what happens… I want you to be happy."

He hugged her back, his words filled with honesty—. "I promise I’ll do what’s best for everyone… especially for Ethan. You’re important to me, Isabella. Never forget that."

They looked at each other, and in a moment of vulnerability, Alexander brushed his lips against hers, as if sealing a secret they would both carry in their hearts. But before they could say more, they heard footsteps approaching and quickly stepped apart.

The door opened, and Miranda entered with a smile that didn’t reach her eyes when she saw Isabella standing so close to Alexander.

—"Darling, it’s time," —she said, casting a cold glance at Isabella, who lowered her head and walked away in silence, feeling her heart break a little more with each step.

Alexander, caught between duty and his true feelings, followed Miranda, preparing to face a day he knew deep down would change his life forever.

At the altar, the guests watched attentively, and among them, Ethan observed his father in silence with a look of sadness and disbelief. He knew something wasn’t right, and though Alexander tried to hide it, he wasn’t truly happy.

Amid the commotion, as the guests took their seats and the ceremony was about to begin, Miranda’s mother seized a moment of distraction to drag Ethan into a small storage room, locking him inside without hesitation.

Ethan, frightened but determined, began banging on the door, shouting with all his might. But the sounds of music and conversations drowned out his voice. Meanwhile, Isabella noticed his absence and, unable to find him anywhere, began searching frantically, checking every corner of the mansion and asking everyone if they had seen the boy. Her heart racing, she knew something was wrong.

Alexander was already at the altar, waiting for Miranda, who approached slowly with a triumphant smile. Just as the officiant was about to begin, a murmur spread through the hall. The doors burst open, and Ethan appeared covered in dust and with a tear-streaked face, walking toward the altar.

—"Stop, Dad!" —he shouted, his eyes filled with tears and fury—. "Don’t marry her!"

Alexander and Miranda turned around, surprised; Miranda’s smile disappeared as the boy interrupted her moment. Miranda’s mother, pale and tense, tried to approach him, but Ethan continued.

—"Miranda is bad, really bad! She told her mom to lock me up because she didn’t want me to tell you the truth."

Alexander frowned, confused, as the guests began whispering and Miranda tried to hide her anger.

—"Dad," —Ethan continued, pulling a crumpled piece of paper from his pocket—, "this is my gift for you."

Alexander took the paper and slowly unfolded it. As he read it, his eyes widened in shock.

Without hiding his surprise, Alexander read aloud:

—"Background Investigation Report: Miranda Kensington."

The crowd fell into absolute silence, and Miranda turned pale, her gaze a mixture of panic and fury.

—"What is this, Ethan?" —Alexander asked, looking at his son with a mix of confusion and astonishment.

—"I did it," —Ethan said, his voice trembling but determined—. "I wanted you to know who she really is. She… she’s not a good person, Dad. I found bad things about her online."

Miranda, regaining some composure, stepped forward, feigning surprise and pity.

—"Alexander, please… It’s obvious someone has been filling his head with lies. He’s just a child! Ethan, sweetheart, I don’t know what they’ve told you, but I’d never hurt you."

Ethan shook his head, taking a step back.

—"It’s not true!" —he yelled, pointing at her with courage—. "I heard you telling your mom to lock me up! You didn’t want me to tell Dad."

Alexander looked at Miranda with suspicion, starting to connect the dots.

—"Miranda... is what he’s saying true?"

Miranda, seeing the tide turn against her, made one last desperate attempt. Clutching her chest, she pretended to sob, trying to appear as the victim.

—"Alexander, love… I would never do such a thing. It’s just that… I think this little one has been going through a tough time and… I don’t know what else I can do to earn his trust!"

Ethan looked at her with tear-filled eyes, but he stood firm.

—"You won’t fool me anymore. You’re not good, and even if everyone here thinks you’re perfect, I know who you really are."

The tension in the room was palpable. After a few seconds of silence, Alexander took his son’s hand and looked him in the eye.

—"Son, thank you for being brave and telling me. This wedding…" —he glanced at Miranda coldly— "will not continue until we find out the truth."

Miranda’s expression turned to pure horror as she realized her plans were crumbling in front of everyone.