Chapter 3: The Woman Everyone Finally Saw

More than three hundred guests turned as Adrian entered the ballroom.

The music stopped instantly.

The master of ceremonies smiled.

"Everyone, let's welcome—"

"Stop."

One word silenced the room.

Adrian walked onto the stage with his son still in his arms.

His tuxedo was wrinkled.

His expression was unreadable.

He picked up the microphone.

"I owe every one of you the truth."

The ballroom fell silent.

"My wife locked my son inside a bedroom during our wedding."

Gasps spread through the crowd.

The bride rushed into the ballroom.

"He's lying!"

Adrian nodded toward Lena.

She handed the voice recorder to the event technician.

Seconds later...

The recording echoed through every speaker.

The bride's cruel words filled the grand ballroom.

No one spoke.

Several guests covered their mouths.

One elderly woman quietly began to cry.

Adrian's closest business partner stood up.

"I can't support someone capable of this."

Others followed.

One by one...

The applause that had been meant for the bride turned into complete rejection.

The bride looked around desperately.

Every smiling face had disappeared.

Her parents lowered their heads.

Her friends quietly walked away.

She reached for Adrian's arm.

"Please..."

"I love you."

Adrian stepped back.

"No."

"You loved control."

"You never loved my son."

Security escorted her out of the ballroom.

The enormous wedding doors closed behind her.

This time...

No one tried to stop them.