CHAPTER 2 — THE WEDDING THAT STOPPED

The silence inside the Whitestone Hotel became unbearable.

Ryan Montgomery stared at the three children as though he had seen ghosts.

His breathing grew uneven.

His blue eyes never left the twin boys.

They had his eyes.

His father's smile.

His childhood photographs.

Impossible.

Vanessa slowly lowered her bouquet.

"What is this?"

No one answered.

Rebecca stepped forward first.

Her voice trembled with anger.

"Security!"

"Remove this woman immediately!"

No one moved.

Instead, the hotel's general manager hurried toward Mariana.

He bowed respectfully.

"Mrs. Whitmore."

"The chairman has been expecting you."

Three hundred guests gasped.

Rebecca frowned.

"...Whitmore?"

At that moment, the ballroom doors opened once again.

Alexander Whitmore entered.