Only hours earlier, I had been excited about marrying Derek.
Now he was smiling for photographs with another woman.
The entire scene felt unreal.
Then Patricia Collins stepped onto the stage.
She took the microphone with the confidence of a woman who had been waiting all her life for an audience like this.
“Ladies and gentlemen, thank you for joining us on such an important evening.”
The conversations quieted.
“My son has worked tirelessly to build something extraordinary. And today, I’m delighted to celebrate not only his business success but also the wonderful new family he is beginning.”
Sienna smiled.
Patricia continued.
“Unfortunately, some people cannot appreciate success when they see it.”
I knew what was coming before she said my name.
“Derek’s former fiancée, Amelia, decided to disappear this morning. Perhaps she finally realized that a man with such a promising future needed someone who truly understood his ambitions.”
