Chapter 4

By the middle of the reception, my father had been carried to the VIP lounge, completely wasted and unconscious.

My mother was tending to him, looking deeply concerned.

William pulled me from table to table, offering toasts.

His "friends" were incredibly aggressive, trying to force drink after drink down my throat.

[Don't drink it. The glass is spiked. It’ll make you drowsy so they can carry out their plan tonight.]

I held my glass, freezing.

"My stomach is acting up. I can't drink tonight," I said. "I'm sorry, everyone."

The people at the table paused, but someone quickly laughed it off. "Oh, the bride is shy. We get it, we get it!"

William's expression shifted slightly, but he quickly masked it. "Seraphina really has a low tolerance. Let's not press her."

He took the glass from my hand and set it back on the table.

[He’s starting to suspect you. You’ve never rejected him like this before. You used to do whatever he said.]

After the toast, William pulled me aside. "Seraphina, what’s going on with you today? Are you not feeling well?"

"I'm just tired," I said. "William, I want to take my parents home first."

"I'll have the chauffeur drive them," he replied smoothly. "You're the bride. It's not right for you to leave early."

[Not right? He’s terrified that if you leave, their plan tonight will fall apart.]

[Your father's phone is currently in his pocket. He needs your father's thumbprint to unlock it and initiate the wire transfer.]

I looked him dead in the eye. "My dad is completely drunk. I need to take him home myself. If you're so worried, you can come with us."

William was silent for two seconds. Then, he smiled. "Of course. I'll go with you."

[He’s trying to figure out a backup plan. But he can't refuse you right now. Refusing would make him look suspicious.]

We walked to the lounge. My father was snoring loudly on the sofa.

My mother sat beside him, looking exhausted.

"Mom, let's take Dad home," I said. "You're tired too."

My mother nodded and stood up. Just then, Chloe walked in. "Sera, leaving so early? Stay and have some fun! Today is your wedding day!"

"My dad is drunk," I said coldly. "Chloe, could you help host the remaining guests for me?"

Chloe's smile stiffened. She glanced at William.

William gave her a subtle, almost imperceptible shake of his head.

[Do you see that? They’re communicating with their eyes.]

[Chloe's job is to stall you. She can't let you leave.]

"Sera," Chloe grabbed my hand. "Your dad has a driver. If you leave now, the guests will be so disappointed. Besides, William's parents are still here. Leaving early is so disrespectful to them."

I snatched my hand back. "Chloe, is my father's health more important, or the guests' feelings?"

She gasped, clearly shocked by my bluntness.

[She’s losing it. She never expected you to talk back to her.]

[Because in the past, you never argued with anyone—especially not her.]

"I... I didn't mean it like that..." Chloe stammered.

"Then step aside."

I helped my mother support my dad. William stepped in to help, his touch still gentle, but I could feel a tight, aggressive grip on my father's arm.

"Seraphina," he whispered, his voice dangerously low. "You are acting very strange tonight."

"How so?"

"You've never talked to me like this before."

[He’s testing you. He’s trying to see if you actually know something.]

I looked at him and suddenly laughed. "William, we just got married. Can't I have a little attitude?"

He smiled, but the warmth didn't reach his eyes. "Of course you can. Let's go. I'll walk you out."