Chapter 6 - The Altar of Truth
he ceremony proceeded in a blur of soft violin music and the crashing of waves against
the rocks below. I kept my eyes fixed on Daniel, a man I loved for his kindness, but whose
family was deeply enmeshed in my father’s fraudulent business dealings. When the priest asked if
The Silk in Pieces 5
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anyone objected to our union, the heavy silence of the crowd was broken by the sound of gravel
crunching behind the seating area. Three large black SUVs with dark tinted windows drove slowly
onto the lawn, parking directly behind the reception tent.
My father stiffened, his eyes locking onto the vehicles as the doors opened and several men in
sharp, navy blue suits with gold federal badges stepped out. Among them was Mercer, holding a thick
leather portfolio. He did not make a scene; he simply walked to the edge of the lawn, waiting patiently
for the ceremony to conclude.
"I do," Daniel whispered, sliding the heavy diamond band onto my finger, his eyes filled with a
quiet, genuine devotion. I smiled, sliding his band onto his finger, knowing that this was the last
moment of peace his prestigious family would know for a very long time.
"I now pronounce you husband and wife," the priest declared. The crowd erupted into polite,
elegant applause, but as Daniel and I turned to walk back down the aisle, the federal agents stepped
onto the white runner, blocking our path. The applause died down instantly, replaced by a wave of
shocked whispers and gasps from the guests. My father took a step back, looking around wildly for an
escape, but two federal marshals had already positioned themselves behind him, their hands resting
May you like
on their holsters.
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