Chapter 2 - The Ghost of the Past
“Hello, sister. Did you really think you could bury me alive and walk down this aisle without paying the ultimate price?” Elena asked coldly, her voice echoing off the crystal chandeliers.
Clara staggered backward, her high heel catching the hem of her pristine white gown, nearly tumbling to the polished marble floor before Julian grabbed her arm. Not out of affection, but to hold her upright so she could answer for her crimes.
“Elena? No, that’s impossible. We buried you three years ago! The hospital records and the death certificate were completely official!” Clara whimpered, her polished facade completely crumbling into desperate terror.
The guests erupted into a deafening wave of chaotic whispers, cell phones coming out instantly to record the unbelievable drama unfolding before them.
Julian released Clara’s arm as if her skin were burning hot, stepping away from her and turning his undivided attention to the woman standing at the end of the aisle.
“Elena, is this real? Are you actually standing here right now?” Julian asked, his voice shaking with a mixture of profound grief and mounting rage.
“It is very real, Julian. Clara staged my entire disappearance, drugged me, and stole my identity, my wealth, and worst of all, my daughter,” Elena replied steadily, walking closer while keeping her eyes locked on her traitorous twin sister.
Little Lily broke into a fresh sprint, bypassing the frozen wedding guests entirely and hurling herself straight into Elena’s open arms with a joyful cry of relief.
“Mommy! You came back just like you promised you would!” Lily sobbed into the fabric of the trench coat, clutching her mother tightly.
Elena stroked the little girl’s blonde curls, whispering comforting words while staring directly at Julian, whose face had gone deathly pale under the harsh venue lighting.
“I told you I would protect our daughter no matter how long it took, my sweet girl,” Elena whispered softly, kissing the top of Lily’s head.
Julian stepped forward, raising a hand to touch Elena’s shoulder, but she flinched away from his reach with a look of pure disdain that cut him deeply.
“Don’t you dare touch me, Julian. You didn’t even bother to look for a body before putting a ring on the finger of the woman who destroyed our family,” Elena accused bitterly.
Clara pulled herself up from the floor, her makeup running in dark streaks down her cheeks as she realized she was entirely cornered with no way out.
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“Security! Remove this impostor immediately! She’s mentally unstable and trying to ruin our wedding!” Clara screamed hysterically, waving frantically toward the back doors.
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