Chapter 8 - The Wedding That Never HappenedSaturday morning arrived under a clear blue sky.
New York looked beautiful.
It had no idea a war was unfolding inside one of its wealthiest families.
The wedding venue was surrounded by reporters.
Security guards.
Luxury cars.
Politicians.
Business executives.
Mafia representatives.
Everyone had come to witness the merger.
Nobody knew it was a trap.
Desmond stood in the groom's room.
Norah adjusted his tie.
“This is crazy.”
“Yes.”
“What if they know?”
“They already suspect.”
“What if your mother—”
“She can't reach me.”
“What about Isabella?”
Desmond looked at her.
“She asked me not to marry her.”
“Do you forgive her?”
He was silent.
“I don't know.”
Norah nodded.
“You don't have to.”
He looked at her.
“You've been with me through all of this.”
“Yes.”
“You could have left.”
“Yes.”
“Why didn't you?”
She smiled faintly.
“Because Arthur asked me to protect you.”
“And if Arthur had never asked?”
Norah looked into his eyes.
“I would have stayed anyway.”
He froze.
Before he could answer, the door opened.
Isabella stood there.
Pale.
Weak.
But alive.
“I need to speak to him.”
Norah stepped back.
Isabella looked at her.
“Thank you.”
Norah left.
Isabella faced Desmond.
“You don't have to forgive me.”
“I know.”
“I loved you.”
“I know.”
“That was the worst part.”
Desmond looked away.
“I loved you too.”
Isabella's eyes filled with tears.
“But?”
“But I never knew if I loved you or the future I thought you represented.”
She nodded.
“That is fair.”
She removed the engagement ring.
Placed it on the table.
“I won't fight you.”
Desmond looked at it.
Then at her.
“You deserve a chance to live outside your family.”
“So do you.”
She left.
Desmond picked up the ring.
Then dropped it into a metal box.
“Burn it later.”
Norah appeared in the doorway.
“Ready?”
He nodded.
The ceremony began.
Desmond walked into the ballroom.
Everyone rose.
He moved toward the altar.
The priest smiled.
Isabella wasn't there.
A murmur spread through the room.
Then the doors opened.
Federal agents entered.
Behind them came investigators.
Carlo Rossi in handcuffs.
Isabella's mother in handcuffs.
Victor Hale.
Margaret Hayes.
Desmond's mother was escorted inside last.
The guests stood frozen.
Phones appeared.
Cameras flashed.
Desmond turned toward her.
She looked at him.
“I'm proud of you.”
“I wish you had been a better mother.”
She nodded.
“So do I.”
An agent stepped forward.
“Margaret Hayes, you are under arrest.”
She turned to Desmond.
“I loved you.”
He answered:
“I believe you.”
Then they took her away.
Outside, headlines were already appearing.
WEDDING OF THE YEAR COLLAPSES AFTER MAFIA FAMILY ARRESTS.
HAYES-ROSSI MERGER EXPOSED.
MURDER, FRAUD AND BLACK MONEY SCANDAL ROCKS NEW YORK.
Desmond stood alone after the ballroom emptied.
Norah found him on the balcony.
“It’s over.”
He looked at the city.
“No.”
She frowned.
“What do you mean?”
“There are still people who helped them.”
“Then what will you do?”
He looked at her.
“For once?”
He smiled faintly.
“Something Arthur wanted.”
“What?”
“Build a life that doesn't belong to the people who hurt us.”
Norah smiled.
“That sounds peaceful.”
“I wouldn't know.”
“You could learn.”
Desmond looked at her for a long moment.
Then he reached for her hand.
Norah didn't move away.
“I don't know what happens next.”
“Neither do I.”
“Good.”
May you like
“Why good?”
“Because this time we get to choose.”
