“The wedding is over,” Chloe’s father announced, his voice booming over the jazz music that was still awkwardly playing in the background. He looked at the catering manager. “Shut it down. Cut the bar. Everyone out.”
He looked at David, his eyes like ice. “And you. My lawyers will have the annulment papers drawn up by Monday morning. If you think you’re getting a single cent of our family’s estate, you’re out of your mind. Get off my property.”
“Richard, please, we’re married!” David pleaded, his voice cracking. “We signed the license an hour ago!”
“Then I’ll pay to have it erased,” Richard snapped, turning his back on him.
Chloe let out a dramatic, wailing sob, dropping her bouquet entirely as she ran toward the bridal suite, her bridesmaids scrambling after her. The pavilion erupted into absolute chaos. Guests were whispering loudly, phones were buzzing, and David’s mother was shouting at a waiter to bring her a chair.
David stood in the center of the wreckage of his perfect, expensive wedding. He looked at Natalie, his eyes desperate, looking for even a shred of the woman who used to forgive him for everything.
“Natalie…” he whispered, taking a step toward her. “You know I was lost. You know it wasn’t meant to hurt you—”
Natalie didn’t flinch. She didn’t yell. She just looked at him with an overwhelming sense of pity.
“You were right about one thing, David,” Natalie said softly, a genuine, beautiful smile finally breaking across her face. “I’m not the kind of wife a man like you puts on display. Because I am far, far out of your league.”
She turned to Julian, who was already offering her his arm with a triumphant wink.
“Shall we?” Julian asked.
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“Let’s go,” Natalie replied. “I think we have a lot to celebrate.”
They walked out of the pavilion hand-in-hand, leaving the screaming, the shattered glass, and the ruined egos behind them. As they stepped out into the cool Napa Valley night air, Natalie felt lighter than she had in years. The shadow was gone. She was finally free.
