Jessica had dreamed of this day for as long as she could remember. Young, hopeful, and thrilled to marry Karl—the man she loved—she walked toward the altar… only to find him missing. Confused looks passed among the guests. Something was terribly wrong. Her heart sank. Karl wasn’t there.
Earlier that morning, her father, Hubert Pennington, had cornered Karl in a quiet room down the hall.
“You’re leaving. And you won’t come back,” Hubert said, cold and sharp.
“I’m not a boy—I’m a man. I love your daughter. I’m not going anywhere,” Karl answered, voice trembling.
“You have no choice,” Hubert snapped. “Leave now—or I’ll ruin your life.”
Karl knew the threat was real. Hubert was feared in town, a man with dangerous connections. Hands shaking, Karl realized he had no other option. He fled to a taxi, then straight to the airport, leaving the love of his life waiting at the church.
Jessica walked down the aisle, step by step, dread building. Hours passed. Karl didn’t arrive. She collapsed in tears, clinging to her mother, the happiest day of her life turned to despair.
For decades, Jessica never dated. Her father forced a marriage to the son of a wealthy family friend. She had a daughter, Olivia, but the marriage was cold, unhappy, and full of betrayal.
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