Chapter 1: The Boy at the Microphone
Silence fell over the elegant venue as seven-year-old Leo walked up to the microphone, his eyes locked on his father, Daniel.
Pointing a shaking finger at the bride, the boy declared, “She told Grandma you're nothing but a wallet, Daddy!” Elena's jaw fell open, but it was Daniel's mother who turned pale as a sheet.
Daniel stood frozen in his tuxedo, staring down at his son standing beneath the crystal chandeliers.
“Leo,” he breathed, his heart pounding.
“What are you doing here?”
Tears rolled down the boy's cheeks.
“Grandma Martha told me not to come!
She said you'd hate me because Elena is your real family now.”
I moved forward immediately, my voice shaking as I shielded my son.
“No one ever said that to you, sweetie,” I told him, looking at Martha with complete shock.
Martha's hands trembled as she reached for the microphone.
“Give me that!
Daniel, he's just a child, he doesn't know what he's talking about!”
“Let him finish,” Daniel ordered, intercepting his mother's hand.
Leo swallowed hard and gazed at his father.
“Elena told Grandma yesterday that once the wedding was over, they wouldn't have to worry about Mom anymore.
And Grandma kept all the letters Mom sent you for two years!
Mom never abandoned us, Daddy!”
The room burst into gasps.
Martha sank onto a chair, unable to speak, while Elena stepped back in terror.
May you like
Will Daniel believe Leo—and how will Elena react?
Comment “NEXT” for Part 2.
