CHAPTER 2 – The Man in the Tuxedo
CHAPTER 2 – The Man in the Tuxedo
The orchestra stopped mid-song.
Every guest turned toward the grand ballroom doors.
A tall man in a perfectly tailored black tuxedo walked inside with slow, deliberate steps.
The bride, Victoria, smiled at first.
Then the color drained from her face.
"No..."
She whispered it so softly only the groom heard.
The man ignored the hundreds of guests.
He walked straight past the champagne tower.
Past the wedding cake.
Past the startled photographers.
Until he stopped in front of an older woman standing quietly near the service entrance.
Maria.
The maid.
For twenty-six years she had cleaned the mansion.
Cooked every holiday meal.
Stayed late whenever someone was sick.
She lowered her eyes.
"You shouldn't have come."
The man smiled gently.
"I promised I'd return."
Without another word...
He hugged her.
Not like an employee.
May you like
Like a son embracing his mother.
The ballroom fell into stunned silence.
