Chapter 5 - The Altar UnravelsThe high-society wedding of the century had turned into a televised federal raid.

Reporters from the local news networks who had been allowed into the balcony to cover the high-fashion event were now broadcasting live. Within twenty minutes, the video of me standing at the altar, stripping off my gown to reveal my bruises while federal agents handcuffed Adrian and his mother, was going viral across every major news platform in the country.

Social media blew up with hashtags: #UnveiledAtTheAltar #JusticeForEvelyn #ValeEmpireExposed.

As the marshals dragged Adrian down the center aisle past four hundred stunned guests, he turned his head, screaming at me through his teeth.

“You think you’ve won, Evelyn?!” he yelled, his face purple with rage. “You’re nothing! Every dollar you have came from me! I’ll be out on bail by midnight!”

“You won't be posting bail, Adrian,” I said calmly, watching him struggle against the guards. “Because three hours ago, the Treasury Department froze every account associated with Vale Meridian. You don't have enough money left to buy a bottle of water.”

Celeste wept hysterically as a female officer escorted her down the aisle, her expensive navy dress dragging through the spilled flower petals on the floor.

Victoria wrapped a warm wool coat over my shoulders, covering my bruised body.

“Are you alright, Evelyn?” Victoria asked softly.

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I looked at the empty altar, then at Clara, who was looking up at the stained-glass windows with tears of freedom streaming down her cheeks.

“For the first time in eleven months,” I said, letting out a long, deep breath, “I’m breathing clean air.”