As Selene swayed with her groom, Gideon, during their first dance, the hotel manager interrupted to say someone was asking for her outside. It was her uninvited grandmother, Agnes, with a wedding gift Selene didn’t want. But when she threw the tiny box, it broke open, revealing something that made her sneer.
Selene and Gideon moved to the music, savoring their perfect moment, though Selene’s heart ached for her absent parents. A hesitant cough broke their bliss. Selene opened her eyes to see Mr.
Harrow, the hotel manager, looking uneasy. “Sorry to interrupt,” he began. “Someone’s outside asking for you, Mrs.
Caldwell.”
“Who?” Selene asked, stepping back from Gideon, who frowned. “She says she’s your grandmother, Agnes,” Mr. Harrow replied.
Gideon’s eyes met hers. “I’ll tell her to leave.”
Selene sighed. “No, she’ll cause a scene.
I’ll see what she wants.”
Outside, Agnes’s face lit up upon seeing Selene. “You’re the most beautiful bride, darling,” she said, reaching for Selene’s hand. Selene stepped back.
“Why are you here? You weren’t invited for a reason.”
“I know,” Agnes said, tears in her eyes. “I had to see my only granddaughter marry.”
“You need to go,” Selene said, arms crossed, holding back anger.
“My father would be here if not for what you didn’t do.”
“I’m sorry,” Agnes whispered. “I regret it. I just came to give you a wedding gift.” She handed Selene a small jewelry box.
“This is all I could get you,” Agnes said, clutching Selene’s hands. “I hope you like it.”
Selene stared at the red box with disgust. “What, some cheap trinket?
Did you steal it?”
“Oh, dear, I—” Agnes started, but Selene cut her off. “If not for your greed, my father would be here, walking me down the aisle!” Tears choked Selene. “Get lost!
I never want to see you again!”
“I hope you don’t hate me forever,” Agnes said sadly. “I’ve always adored you.”
Agnes shuffled away, leaning on her cane. Alone, Selene’s thoughts drifted to the day that fueled her hatred for Agnes.
Years ago, Selene sat in her father’s lawyer’s office. Mr. Kessler, a gruff man, got straight to the point.
“No good news, kid,” he said, explaining her father’s case. The plaintiffs demanded compensation—a staggering sum. “I don’t have that money,” Selene said, breathless.
“Is there no other way?”
Kessler shook his head. “Without payment, we go to court, and your father, Elias, will likely face a long sentence.”
“No!” Selene gasped. “You need to find the money,” Kessler said.
“It’s the only way.”
Selene left, knowing friends couldn’t help and her credit wouldn’t secure a loan. Her only option was Agnes. “Selene?” Agnes was shocked to see her exhausted granddaughter at her door.
“What’s wrong, honey? You look pale. Is it the lawyer?”
Selene explained the meeting, the compensation, and the stakes.
“Dad will go to jail if we don’t pay.”
Agnes sat beside her, taking her hand. “I’m sorry, Selene, but I don’t have that kind of money.”
“You can,” Selene pleaded. “Sell the bakery.
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