Elena: Marcus, are you sure you want to do this right now? Look at the state of me.
Marcus: I don't care about the mud, Elena. I only care about you.
Elena: Your mother is never going to forgive you for slapping her in front of everyone.
Marcus: She didn't just ruin a dress, Elena. She tried to humiliate you because she thinks she controls this family.
Elena: I knew she hated me, but I never thought she would go this far.
Pastor Thomas: Children... should we pause the ceremony for a moment?
Marcus: No, Pastor. Please continue. We are getting married today, no matter what my mother tried to do.
Elena wiped another tear from her cheek, taking a deep breath as she looked into Marcus's eyes. The mud on her dress was cold and heavy, but the warmth in his hands gave her strength. The guests in the pews settled down, though whispers still fluttered across the room like dry leaves.
Elena's Maid of Honor, Sofia: Here, let me hold the note, Elena. You need your hands for the rings.
Elena: Keep that note safe, Sofia. We're going to need it later.
Sofia: Don't worry, I won't let anyone touch it.
Pastor Thomas: Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today to join Marcus Sterling and Elena Vance in holy matrimony.
Marcus leaned in close to Elena, whispering under his breath while the pastor read the opening prayer.
Marcus: How did she even get into the bridal room without anyone seeing her?
Elena: She told the venue coordinator that she needed to drop off a family heirloom for my hair.
Marcus: And instead, she took your dress off the hanger and dragged it outside?
Elena: She wanted me to walk down the aisle looking like a mess. She wanted everyone to laugh at me.
Marcus: Well, nobody is laughing at you, my love. They're all disgusted by her.
Elena: She didn't do it just because she dislikes me, Marcus. There's something else.
Marcus: What do you mean?
Elena: The note didn't just say she ruined the dress. Look at the back of the paper when you get a chance.
Marcus glanced over at Sofia, who was holding the wrinkled paper firmly against her satin dress. The pastor's voice boomed softly through the wooden hall, bringing the congregation to a quiet hush.
Pastor Thomas: Do you, Marcus, take Elena to be your lawfully wedded wife, to have and to hold, in sickness and in health, for richer or for poorer?
Marcus: I do. With all my heart.
Pastor Thomas: And do you, Elena, take Marcus to be your lawfully wedded husband?
Elena: I do.
Pastor Thomas: By the power vested in me, I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss the bride.
Marcus lifted Elena's lace veil, wrapping his arms around her waist, and kissed her passionately in front of the cheering crowd. The heavy organ music swelled back to life, filling the bright space with joyful sounds.
Marcus: Mrs. Sterling... how does that sound?
Elena: It sounds perfect. But we have a storm coming, Marcus.
Marcus: Let it come. We stand together now.
They turned toward the aisle, holding hands tightly as they walked past the shocked and excited guests. But outside the church doors, Patricia was waiting in her luxury sedan, her phone pressed to her ear as tears of anger ruined her makeup.