Chapter 6 - The Unraveling Contract

The two police officers strode down the center aisle,

their heavy boots echoing against the wooden floorboards.

All eyes turned toward them as they approached the front of the sanctuary.

The taller officer,

a middle-aged man with sharp gray eyes and a stern expression,

looked around the chaotic room.

“Which one of you placed the call regarding fraud and disturbance?” he asked,

resting his hand on his utility belt.

“I did,

” my father stepped forward,

holding out the crumpled marriage certificate.

“Officer,

my daughter’s wedding has just been cancelled because the groom is already legally married to another woman standing right here.

” The officer took the paper,

smoothing it out against his palm as he scanned the official court seal.

He then looked up,

his gaze shifting from my father to Julian,

who was now backed into a corner near the floral arrangements.

“Is this true,

sir?” the officer asked,

addressing Julian directly.

Julian opened and closed his mouth like a fish out of water,

unable to form a coherent sentence.

“He refuses to answer because he knows he’s trapped,

” Clara spoke up clearly.

“I am Clara Vance,

his lawful wife,

and he entered into this second engagement contract while actively concealing our marriage to collect a family inheritance.

” The officer nodded slowly,

pulling a small notepad from his pocket.

“Bigamy and fraudulent misrepresentation for financial gain are serious criminal offenses,

folks,

” the officer stated.

“Mr.

Vance,

I’m going to need you to step outside with us for questioning.

” “Wait,

this is a misunderstanding,

” Julian stammered,

finally finding his voice as panic set in.

“We were separated! The paperwork was in motion!” “Papers in motion don't excuse entering a multi-party marriage scam,

” the second officer noted,

stepping closer to Julian and placing a hand firmly on his shoulder.

“Turn around and put your hands behind your back,

please.

” A collective gasp rippled through the pews.

Watching the man who had meticulously orchestrated such an elaborate deception get fitted with steel handcuffs was chillingly satisfying.

Julian cast one last desperate,

pleading look in my direction.

“Elena,

please tell them it’s a joke,

” he begged,

his voice cracking with humiliation.

“Tell them we can work this out.

” I looked him dead in the eye,

feeling an absolute void where my affection used to be.

“The only joke here was me believing you loved me,

” I replied coldly.

“Take him away,

officer.

” The officers guided Julian down the center aisle,

his head bowed in absolute disgrace as three hundred wedding guests watched in stunned silence.

The heavy oak doors swung shut behind them,

sealing his fate.

Silence blanketed the chapel once more,

but this time it was heavy with shock rather than anticipation.

My mother walked over,

wrapping her arms around me in a tight,

tearful embrace.

“Oh,

my poor sweet girl,

” she sobbed softly against my shoulder.

“You dodged a bullet,

Mom,

” I whispered,

patting her back.

“A very expensive,

well-disguised bullet.

” My father walked up,

placing a comforting hand on my head.

“What do you want to do now,

Elena?” he asked gently.

I looked around the empty altar,

then out at our bewildered family and friends.

“Cancel the reception,

” I said with a faint,

ironic smile.

“Instead,

let’s invite everyone to an open bar celebration of my freedom.

” A roar of supportive applause and laughter broke out across the pews.

May you like

[COMPLETED] She waited ten years for her fiancé, but the night she marri...

[COMPLETED] Five Years After My Mafia Husband Chose Another Woman, He Me...

[COMPLETED] I CALLED MY HUSBAND 18 TIMES WHILE OUR SON WAS DYING. EIGHT...

The nightmare was over,

and my new life was just beginning.