From my spot near the garden entrance, I watched Damien walk back to his table, Drake and Sarah trailing behind him. Even at this distance, I could read Drake's body language - the slight tension in his shoulders, the way he leaned forward as they sat down.
"Damien, how do you know Ella?" Drake's voice carried across the space between us, making freeze. Madison squeezed my hand, but I couldn't tear my eyes away from their table.
Damien adjusted his tie, a small smile playing at his lips. "Purely by accident. My driver nearly ran them over in front of Horizon Bay Mall."
Sarah's eyes widened. "What? When was this?"
"Just the other day. I felt terrible about it." Damien took a sip of his champagne. "Though I must say, it was quite the morable introduction."
Drake's brow furrowed. "You never ntioned running into them."
"Should I have?" Damien's tone remained light, but there was an edge to it that made hold my breath. "It was a chance encounter. Though I must say, your ex-wife has quite a presence. You didn't ntion she was an artist."
I watched Drake shift uncomfortably in his seat. "She used to paint. I didn't think she still did."
I couldn't help but lean closer, straining to catch every word of their conversation. The garden's ambient noise faded away as I focused on their table.
"After the accident, I looked her up and she got so great talents," Damien said with a smile on his face.
Sarah's fingers tightened around her champagne glass, her knuckles turning white. She shifted in her seat, crossing her legs with more force than necessary. The movent knocked against the table, causing the glasses to clink.
"I wasn't aware you had such an interest in local artists," Sarah said, her voice sharp enough to cut glass.
Drake glanced between them, his jaw clenched. I recognized that look - the sa one he'd worn whenever he felt control slipping away.
Madison tugged at my sleeve. "Mom, are you okay?"
I nodded, unable to look away from the scene unfolding before . Sarah's face had flushed red, a stark contrast against her white dress. She leaned into Drake, her hand possessively gripping his arm while shooting daggers at Damien with her eyes.
"Her use of color is remarkable," Damien continued, either oblivious to or deliberately ignoring Sarah's growing irritation. "The piece hanging in the Cultural Center particularly caught my attention. The way she captured the light..."
Sarah cut him off. "Well, that's fascinating, but we should really focus on greeting our other guests."
I felt a small surge of satisfaction watching Sarah squirm. It wasn't pride - more like vindication. After years of feeling invisible, soone had not only noticed my work but was praising it at her wedding.
For a mont, I felt like I was watching a play, hidden behind the garden foliage. I saw Damien motion to his assistant, a tall man in a dark suit. The assistant walked over to their table with a crisp, white envelope, placing it in front of Damien with a subtle bow. Drake's eyes widened, and I could almost see the panic flooding his body.
"What's that?" Drake's voice was shaky, his eyes fixed on the envelope like it was a bomb about to detonate.
Damien's gaze was steady. "All your secrets, I suppose."
With a swift movent, Sarah snatched the envelope and tore it open, her long nails flashing dangerously. Her eyes scanned the contents, and then her face drained of color. I saw her body stiffen as she registered whatever was inside.
Drake reached for the envelope, but Sarah pulled it away, her eyes scanning the papers, photos slipping out and fluttering to the table. I saw her throat move as she swallowed, her face a mask of shock.
And then I knew. Those photos, the secrets, I realized they weren't just about Drake and Sarah. They were about , about us.
My hand flew to my mouth, silencing the gasp that threatened to escape. I felt Madison's eyes on , but I couldn't look away from the unfolding drama. I recognized those photos – the passionate embraces in hotel rooms, the stolen monts, the naked desire. They were from our past, from when Drake and I were still together.
Sarah's face was now flushed with anger. "You kept these? You said you got rid of them!"
Drake's face was pale, his voice hoarse. "I thought I did. I must have missed a few."
Damien's eyes were cold as he regarded them both. "It seems there's more to uncover than I thought."
I couldn't breathe. My vision blurred, and for a mont, I thought I would faint. This wasn't just about Drake and Sarah; it was about the person I thought was my friend betraying . I felt Madison's arms around , supporting as my knees buckled.
Inside, I saw Damien regard them coolly, a man used to being in control. "It seems your secrets are not so secret after all. Cheating, lies... They never stay hidden forever, do they?"
Drake's voice was desperate. "Please, Damien, we can explain—"
Damien held up a hand, cutting him off. "I'm not interested in explanations. I just want to know why I shouldn't cut my ties with you right now."
Sarah found her voice. "You can't. Drake, tell him!"
But Drake remained silent, his eyes darting between Damien and Sarah.
Madison's grip on my arm tightened. "Mom, we should go inside."
My feet felt rooted to the spot, but I knew she was right. The garden's peaceful atmosphere had shattered, replaced by the weight of exposed secrets. I smoothed down my blue dress, its fabric suddenly feeling too tight across my chest.
"Just breathe," Madison whispered, her voice steady despite the chaos unfolding before us.
I squared my shoulders and took a step forward. The click of my heels against the stone path seed to echo through the garden. As we approached the entrance, I caught fragnts of their heated conversation.
"This isn't what you think-" Drake's voice cracked.
"Isn't it?" Damien's cool reply cut through the air.
Sarah's face had lost all its bridal glow, replaced by a sickly pallor that made her white dress look harsh against her skin. The photos lay scattered across their table, evidence of a past that refused to stay buried.
My heart hamred against my ribs as Madison and I reached the doorway. The afternoon sun stread through the windows, casting long shadows across the polished floor. The room fell silent as we entered, all eyes turning toward us.
Drake half-rose from his chair, those familiar green eyes wide with panic. Sarah's hand clutched the envelope so tight it crumpled. And Damien... Damien's expression shifted from cold anger to sothing else entirely as he noticed our presence.
"Ella," he said, my na falling from his lips like a revelation.
The photos on the table caught the light, and I recognized myself in them - younger, happier, unaware of the betrayals to co. My past lay exposed before everyone, and in that mont, I realized this wedding had beco sothing else entirely.
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