Chapter 1 - The Forged Card
Emily held the card. Her thumb ran over the ink.
"This isn't my calligrapher's handwriting," Emily said, her voice dropping to a terrifyingly quiet register.
David’s confident posture faltered. "Emmy, sweetheart. I just had the venue print a quick replacement so Melissa could join us. It’s a celebration. We should all be together."
Melissa offered a tight, patronizing smile. "We didn't want to cause a fuss, Emily. Your father just wanted me by his side."
Emily slowly looked up from the card. The radiant joy of a newlywed vanished, replaced by a cold, sharp fury that mirrored my own. She didn't look at Melissa. She looked dead into her father's eyes.
"Get her out of my mother's chair," Emily demanded.
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David flushed dark red, glancing nervously at the surrounding tables where guests were beginning to turn their heads. "Emily, lower your voice. You are making a scene over a piece of paper."
"I'm making a scene?" Emily countered, taking a step closer. "You sneaked your mistress into my reception, printed a fake name card, and tried to banish the woman who paid for every single flower, plate, and song in this room to the back corner. Get her out of the chair, Dad, or I will have security drag her out by her pale blue silk dress."
