"Sorry I’m late," I said, smoothly making my way to the front where Ginger and Daniel stood. I tilted my head slightly, meeting Ginger’s glare with a small, knowing smile. "Wouldn’t miss your big day for anything. Wishing you both the best."
Ginger’s nostrils flared, her forced smile faltering. "You’re wearing white," she said sharply. "Only the bride wears white. Surely you know that?"
I glanced down at my gown, feigning surprise. "Oh, did I? But white is such a lovely color, don’t you think?"
"Lovely or not," she snapped, raising her voice so everyone could hear, "you’re out of place. Where did you even get that gown? That necklace?"
She added, louder still, her words aimed to wound, "Let me guess—did you take out a loan for this stunt? Or is it a fake?"
A few chuckles rang out from the crowd, her jab landing as intended. I smiled back, calm and unbothered.
"You don’t know, do you?" I began, my voice cutting through the murmur of the room. "I am the daughter of the Whit—"
Before I could finish, a loud gunshot rang out.
The room went still. Laughter stopped. Silence consumed the space.
Then, chaos.