PROLOGUE

"But was he yours if he wanted me so bad?" ~Melanie Martinez

***

Gasps of admiration and small cheers went up in the air when the bride finally made her appearance. She walked alone, following two girls who sprinkled flowers along the carpet that led her to the altar. Her smile was not very wide, but it was light and cheerful. Some of her hair and veil fluttered gently in the refreshing sea breeze.

The wedding dress was pure white with an off-shoulder type neckline, showing off an elegant diamond necklace of the same color that cost more than her three months' income. Her upper arms were clad in puff sleeves, while her right wrist was encircled with a simple piece of jewelry that looked even more extraordinary. Her preferred bodice was a V waistline bassque that fell just below the bust line. A great choice for creating the illusion of a beautifully curved figure. Then, at the bottom, the organza skirt swept the floor in such a beautiful way.

The groom waited faithfully in front of the altar. A gray suit clothed the 183-centimeter-tall body. His brown hair was neatly slicked back, glistening in the soft afternoon sun.

The two of them were truly the stars of the moment. Their every move was mesmerizing. Until it was time for them to shake hands and say their vows.

The groom began, "I Shawn, take you, Summer, to be my wife, to have and to hold each other from now until eternity. In times of trouble and joy, in times of plenty and need, and in times of health and sickness. To always love and cherish each other, until death do us part. This is my most sincere promise of loyalty."

The woman's eyes lit up. She responded to the pledge as she should. Boisterous applause accompanied the bride and groom who were now kissing.

The ceremony moved on to the speeches. Shawn started it, interspersed with small jokes that sparked light laughter from the guests. Everyone seemed happy, until suddenly someone appeared.

A woman. She appeared in a cowl slit dress made of red satin. Her shoes were stilettoes of the same color, as well as her lipstick. Her blonde hair was straight and flowing behind her back.

Her footsteps made a tapping sound that seemed to echo as all the attention was on her. One thing that was of major concern was that she was wearing a red dress. Yes, the red dress was the problem. One shouldn't wear red while attending a wedding. It would definitely cause chaos.

"Oh my God, who is she?"

"This is crazy."

"If it's just a joke, this is too much."

"How dare that woman!"

"Holy sh*t! She's that woman, Clarice Wright!"

Shawn froze in place. His eyes glared at the woman who was now walking towards him. Meanwhile, Summer beside Shawn seemed to be holding back her anger. Then, when Clarice smirked at her, Summer could no longer stay silent.

Summer walked quickly to cut off Clarice's path to the podium. "You're completely out of your mind!"

"Oh, you want to know why I'm wearing this?" Clarice took a step forward. She leaned in, whispering in Summer's ear. "Last night, while you celebrate your bachelorette party, your husband and I spent a very hot night. He was very good. You're so lucky, Miss McAuley-ah, I mean Mrs. Sullivan."

Summer slapped Clarice hard on the cheek. Unexpectedly, Clarice laughed loudly, leading people to speculate that Clarice had apparently gone mad. "Ah, this is nothing compared to the pain in my back from last night."

"What a whore!" Summer made another swing, but this time it was caught by Clarice.

Clarice's grin widened. She threw away Summer's hand that was about to slap her. An instant later, Clarice's expression turned stiff and sinister. With a sharp look in her eyes, she said with emphasis.

"You lost, Summer. Shawn may marry you, but I'm the woman he wants. I'm the woman he's crazy about. And you... you're just an old Barbie doll that's too boring to play with anymore."

***

020424, Anne Joyce