Betrayer's Lies Shattered

The Plaza Hotel had always been my dream venue. Ever since I was a little girl, I'd imagined walking down its grand aisle in a white gown, surrounded by love and promise. Today was supposed to be that fairy tale come true.

I smoothed down my dress—a simple but elegant piece I'd found at a department store. Alexander had been too busy with work to accompany me shopping, but I'd fallen in love with the delicate lace trim and the way it made me feel. Not that I could tell anyone how much I'd saved by choosing this over a designer gown. Alexander's circle expected a certain... standard.

"You look beautiful, Ms. Bennett," the hotel attendant said as she led me through the ornate lobby toward the Grand Ballroom.

"Thank you," I replied, touching my mother's pearl necklace nervously. "Is everything ready? Alexander mentioned he had some special surprises planned."

The attendant's smile faltered for just a moment. "I'm sure it will be a day to remember."

Something in her tone made my stomach tighten, but I pushed the feeling aside. Pre-wedding jitters, that's all.

She pushed open the heavy doors to the ballroom, and I stepped inside...

Into a nightmare.

The first thing I noticed was the lighting—dimmed to a sickly gray that cast shadows across every surface. Where there should have been white roses and fairy lights, there were black lilies and funeral wreaths. The aisle was lined with candles that flickered with an eerie orange glow, and at the altar...

At the altar was a large framed photograph of me. But it was bordered in black, like a memorial portrait.

An organ played softly in the background—not Pachelbel's Canon as I'd requested, but a dirge that sent chills down my spine.

"Where are the flowers?" I whispered, my voice echoing in the empty room. "Where is everyone?"

I turned to find the events manager, Victoria Sterling, standing frozen by the door. Her face was pale, her eyes wide with something that looked like pity.

"This isn't right," I said, my voice rising. "This is wrong. Where is Alexander?"

Victoria opened her mouth to speak, but before she could say anything, a figure emerged from the shadows behind me.

"Surprise, surprise," came a silky voice that made my blood run cold.

I turned to face Jazmin Lopez—Alexander's executive assistant. She was stunning in a white cocktail dress that hugged every curve, her dark hair cascading over her shoulders.

"What is this?" I demanded, looking around wildly. "What have you done?"

Jazmin laughed, the sound like broken glass. "This is your wedding, Haley. Your funeral wedding."

She circled me slowly, her heels clicking on the marble floor. "You know, I always wondered what kind of woman would choose such a cheap dress for her wedding day." She reached out to touch the lace on my sleeve, her nail digging in slightly. "Department store, isn't it? Oh, honey. You really are as pathetic as Alexander said."

My heart pounded in