Chapter 3 - Whispers in the Dark
The harsh acoustic playback reverberated against the crystal chandeliers, turning the once-magical wedding reception into a house of mirrors and lies.
Julian froze in his tracks. The blood rushed violently in his ears, drowning out the sudden murmurs of the stunned crowd.
He knew that voice.
It was a voice he had whispered sweet nothingnesses to over late-night glasses of wine in his penthouse. It was a voice that had promised him a lifetime of peace and devotion.
It was Chloe’s voice.
“Turn it off!” Chloe shrieked, lunging forward with a ferocity that shocked everyone.
She abandoned all bridal grace, kicking off her expensive white heels as she sprinted toward the stage like a desperate animal cornered in a trap.
Julian reacted on pure instinct. He grabbed Chloe by her waist, hauling her backward before she could reach the wooden steps and snatch the phone from his son.
“Get off me, Julian! It’s AI! It’s a deepfake!” Chloe screamed, thrashing wildly in his arms, her pristine white veil tearing away and floating gracefully down onto the floor like a fallen flag of surrender. “Your family hacked me! They want to ruin us!”
Julian stared down at the woman he was supposed to marry in less than ten minutes. Her eyes, usually so warm and inviting, were wide with frantic desperation.
“You said that?” Julian asked, his voice barely a whisper, devoid of all emotion. “Vermont? The trust fund?”
“I didn’t! I swear to God I didn’t!” Chloe wept, her facade completely shattered as she clawed at Julian’s tuxedo lapels, leaving streaks of mascara on the black fabric.
On stage, Leo lowered the microphone slightly, watching the chaotic scene unfold with dry, burning eyes. He didn’t cry anymore; the tears had given way to a chilling, precocious coldness.
“There’s more,” Leo announced into the microphone, his clear child’s voice cutting through Chloe’s hysterical shrieks. “That was from last Tuesday, when she thought I was asleep in the back of the SUV.”
Eleanor pushed her way through the paralyzed groomsmen, her face pale with fury as she confronted the struggling bride.
“You vile creature,” Eleanor hissed, raising her hand, though she stopped short of striking her. “You were going to steal my grandson’s inheritance and throw him away?”
Julian slowly released his grip on Chloe. He stepped back as if touching her would burn him. He looked up at the stage, his heart shattering into a thousand irreparable pieces.
“Play the rest, Leo,” Julian commanded quietly, his jaw clenched so tight a muscle twitched violently in his cheek.
May you like
Leo tapped the screen again, and a second audio file began to load instantly.
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