Chapter 10
When sunlight broke through the clouds and bathed his face, Ethan thought—This is true rebirth.
The first light of dawn barely touched the sky when Victoria Montgomery drove to Lucas Whitmore's apartment.
Lucas answered the door in his pajamas, drowsily collapsing into her arms. "Victoria, do you really think Ethan Sinclair will come?"
She ran her fingers through his tousled hair and whispered in his ear, "Of course. Haven't you always wanted him to witness this?"
"You're the best." Lucas tilted his face up, eyes shimmering with anticipation.
The makeup room lights were harsh. Victoria checked her phone for the third time—Ethan's chat window remained empty. She dialed his number, only to hear the automated voice announce his phone was switched off.
Crystal chandeliers cast fractured reflections across the room. Victoria stood at the end of the red carpet, her gaze repeatedly darting to the closed doors.
On the opposite end, Lucas adjusted his tie, his crisp suit making her heart skip for a fleeting moment.
The emcee cleared his throat for the third time. The minute hand on Victoria's watch had already moved halfway around the dial.
"We can't wait any longer." Lucas strode over, his grip on her hand trembling slightly.
The sudden crash of the doors swinging open made Victoria's heart stop. A courier stood in the entrance, holding a cardboard box, causing murmurs to ripple through the crowd.
"Mr. Ethan Sinclair requested this be delivered at this exact time." The courier shoved the box into her hands and hurried away.
By the time Lucas reached her, Victoria had already torn open the packaging. Two crimson marriage certificates lay at the bottom, accompanied by a silver flash drive.
"When did you—" Lucas snatched the documents, his voice cracking mid-sentence.
Victoria stared at Lucas' name printed on the certificate, her fingertips turning cold. That day at the Civil Affairs Bureau, Ethan had clearly—
"Let's see what's on the flash drive!" Lucas tugged her excitedly toward the center of the stage.
The guests' applause surged like a tidal wave, but all Victoria could hear was the violent pounding of her own heart. The moment the projector flickered to life, she couldn't bring herself to look at the screen.