Jessica: Alex, listen to me! That check was for his training contract!
Alex: A training contract for fifty thousand dollars signed five minutes before our wedding?
Jessica: He was threatening to sue me for breach of contract if I didn't pay him today!
Alex turned the phone screen around, showing the clear video image to Jessica's mother in the front row.
Alex: Does this look like a man threatening a lawsuit to you, Linda?
On the high-definition video, Derek stood with his arms wrapped tightly around Jessica's waist, laughing as she slid a signed check into his jacket pocket.
Linda stared at the screen in utter shock, her jaw dropping open as she sank back down into her pew.
Linda: Jessica... what did you do?
Jessica: Mom, don't look at it! They edited the footage! It's a setup!
Alex: Edited live security footage from a chapel server? Do you think I'm stupid, Jessica?
Jessica: Alex, please! He meant nothing to me! It was just a stupid mistake because I was stressed!
Alex: Stressed about what? Stressed about whether the prenuptial agreement would kick in before you emptied my bank account?
A tall man wearing a black leather jacket stepped out from the choir room doors at the side of the sanctuary.
It was Derek, holding a leather duffel bag over his shoulder as he tried to slip toward the side exit.
Marcus: Hey! Derek! Don't you dare move a single step!
Derek froze as two large groomsmen stepped into the side aisle, blocking his path to the exit doors.
Derek: Look, man, I don't want any trouble! I was just leaving!
Alex: Get over here, Derek.
Derek: I'm not getting involved in your marriage drama, Vance.
Alex: You got involved the moment you took fifty thousand dollars of my money in the choir room!
Alex walked down the altar steps, his polished tuxedo shoes clicking sharply against the hardwood floor.
He stood right in front of Derek, his eyes cold and dangerous.
Alex: Hand over the check.
Derek: She gave it to me voluntarily, man. That's a valid gift under the law.
Alex: That check was drawn on a joint account that requires my secondary authorization for any amount over ten thousand dollars.
Derek: What?
Alex: It's worthless paper, Derek. My financial manager flagged the transaction the second she tried to sign it.
Jessica ran down the altar steps, her lace wedding dress tearing slightly on the brass railing.
Jessica: Derek, give him the check back! Tell him you forced me to give it to you!
Derek: Forced you?! Are you insane, Jessica? You're the one who called me last night and said we were going to Bahamas tomorrow!
Gasping exploded across the chapel again as guests pulled out their cell phones to record the chaos.
Guest 1: She was planning to run away to the Bahamas after taking his money?!
Guest 2: This is crazy! She planned the whole thing!
Guest 3: Thank God that little girl ran down the aisle!
Derek: She told me she was going to sign the wedding license, wait for his family trust payment to clear on Monday, and then file for emergency divorce!
Jessica threw her hands over her face, sinking down onto the hardwood floor in tears.
Jessica: Derek, shut up! Shut your mouth!
Derek: I'm not taking the fall for grand larceny, lady! I'm out of here!
Derek shoved the paper check into Alex's hand and pushed past the groomsmen out the side doors into the bright daylight.