The heavy click of the metal handcuffs echoed loudly in the quiet bridal suite.
Victoria: Take your hands off me! Do you have any idea who I am?! My late husband built half the high-rises in this city!
Police Officer: You have the right to remain silent, ma'am. Anything you say can and will be used against you in court.
Victoria: Brandon! Tell them to stop! You can't let them take me out through the main lobby!
Brandon: You should have thought about the lobby when you taped forged documents to my nephew’s ring pillow, Mom.
The officers guided Victoria toward the rear hallway, while two more officers escorted Mr. Harrison back inside after catching him near the parking garage.
Mr. Harrison: I’ll testify against her! I have all the email records saved on my secure server!
Police Officer 2: You can explain all of that at the precinct, sir. Move along.
As the officers led them away, the room fell into a heavy, quiet stillness.
Chloe sat down on the white sofa, her hands resting on her white lace gown as she tried to process everything that had just happened.
Brandon walked over, sitting beside her and taking both of her trembling hands into his own.
Brandon: Chloe... I am so, so sorry. I had no idea my mother was capable of something so evil.
Chloe: She took everything my mother worked for, Brandon. She tried to make me feel like a charity case while living off my family’s money.
Brandon: My lawyers will work with the state prosecutor to recover every single cent stolen from your trust fund, Chloe. I promise you that.
Chloe: What about us, Brandon? What about today?
Brandon reached into his pocket, pulling out the genuine antique diamond ring and slipping it gently onto Chloe’s finger.
Brandon: I love you more than anything in this world, Chloe. I don't care about my mother’s company or her social circle. I only care about you.
Chloe: Are you sure you still want to do this today?
Brandon: Only if you want to. We can restart the ceremony right now, with only the people who truly love us in that room.
Chloe looked over at Toby, who was sitting on the rug playing with his tiny black bow tie.
Chloe: Toby, do you think you can walk down the aisle one more time with the real rings?
Toby: Yes! But this time no sticky paper under my pillow!
Chloe laughed through her tears, leaning into Brandon’s shoulder as he kissed her forehead softly.
Chloe: No sticky paper, sweetie. Just pure love.