She wanted to scream, to demand an explanation, but her body betrayed her, moving almost on its own. Her knees weakened, her chest constricted, and she stepped down from the altar, the world tilting beneath her as if she were falling away from everything she had ever dreamed.
Stephanie swept in without hesitation, sliding into the space Clara had left as though it had always belonged to her. She clutched Liam’s arm, her smile dazzling, her eyes glinting with triumph. Gasps rolled through the crowd. Guests looked from Clara to Stephanie, unsure whether this was some elaborate joke or a nightmare come to life.