Chapter 3
I wore the ruined suit to the wedding.
Not on my body.
In a garment bag.
Every torn piece folded carefully inside.
I arrived at the Bayfront Pavilion an hour before the ceremony.
The staff greeted me as Mr. Mercer.
My legal name.
Glenn Mercer.
Owner of the venue through the Mercer Family Trust.
Victoria had always used my middle name, Davis, in social circles because Mercer sounded too old-fashioned for her taste.
Another thing she never respected enough to investigate.
The manager, Alicia, met me near the ballroom doors.
“Mr. Mercer, your attorney is in the office.”
“Thank you.”
Lydia sat with two assistants, a private investigator, and a venue security supervisor.
On the desk were documents ready for service.
Cancellation clause.
Fraud hold.
Asset freeze.
Trespass orders if needed.
I looked through the glass wall at the ceremony garden.
White roses.
Gold chairs.
An arch of silk flowers.
All paid for by me.
Victoria stood near the front in a champagne dress, laughing with Raymond.
Raymond wore a new designer suit.
Probably purchased with my money.
Sabrina emerged in her wedding gown.
For one moment, I forgot the cruelty.
I saw the toddler who used to fall asleep on my chest.
The little girl who called me Daddy before she knew what biology meant.
Then Raymond kissed her cheek, and she smiled like I was already dead to her.
Lydia touched my arm.
“You can still stop this privately.”
“No.”
Alicia entered.
“Mr. Mercer, Mrs. Davis is asking why your name appears on the venue owner list.”
I almost smiled.
“Tell her I’ll explain during the reception.”
The ceremony began.
I watched from the side hall.
When the officiant asked who gave Sabrina away, Raymond stepped forward proudly.
“I do,” he said.
Sabrina did not look for me.
Not once.
That was the last thread.
It snapped quietly.
During cocktail hour, Victoria saw me.
Her face twisted.
“What are you doing here?”
May you like
I held up the garment bag.
“Delivering what you cut.”
