Chapter 14 The wedding was grand, just the way Vanessa always wanted. Crystal chandeliers sparkled above a sea of white roses. The aisle was long, lined with gold-trimmed petals, and the guests were all carefully selected. Vanessa wore an elaborate ivory gown with a cathedral-length veil, while Troy stood beside her in a sleek black tux, expression unreadable. No one questioned the rush. After all, the bride was "sick," and the groom was doing the noble thing. Now, days later, Vanessa was practically glowing as she sat proudly in the center of the living room. The massive, gold-framed wedding photo dominated the wall above the fireplace-her in her custom gown, Troy beside her like a trophy she'd won. She leaned back against the velvet couch, sipping orange juice from a crystal glass, legs crossed delicately. "Perfect, right?" she asked, sighing contentedly. Travis and Van sat nearby, both grinning. "We're just glad everything worked out," Van said. "You finally got the wedding you deserve." Vanessa beamed. "I'm sorry for running away before… for leaving you all without saying anything." Travis shrugged. "It's okay. We figured you had your reasons." She tilted her head thoughtfully. "And what about Taylor? What are you planning to do if she comes back?" Van and Travis exchanged a quick glance. It was Van who spoke first. "Well… she didn't say goodbye or anything. She just left." Travis nodded. "I'm sure she'll return eventually. She's still our sister." Vanessa's eyes narrowed, lips curling slightly. "You're not even mad at her? She ran away like a coward! I bet she's out there doing God knows what." 'She's just like you," Van said with a half-shrug. "Maybe she needed space." Vanessa let out a low, amused chuckle. "Really? You're defending her now? Come on, she's probably doing something awful." The front door creaked open. All three turned their heads. Troy entered quietly, briefcase in hand. He paused for a moment, his gaze flicking from the massive wedding photo to Vanessa's smirk. "Don't talk about her like that," he said, sharper than intended. Vanessa blinked. "Excuse me?" Travis raised an eyebrow. "Dude… you okay?" Vanessa stood up slowly, her robe cinched at the waist. "Why are you suddenly defending her?" Troy sighed and looked away. "I'm not. I'm just saying-she's gone. Let's leave it at that."," She moved closer. "Right. Because she's out of the picture now. That's what you wanted, right?" He didn't answer. Vanessa forced a smile. "Anyway, shouldn't you be concerned about me instead? Aren't I supposed to go for chemo today?" Troy nodded slowly, his eyes shadowed. "Yeah… about that." He walked over and pressed a kiss to her forehead, his lips barely grazing her skin. "Just… make sure you rest. I'll be working late, but we'll go on that date after your appointment. Okay?" Vanessa's smile faltered. "You're not coming with me?" "We've talked about this," he said gently. "I have meetings. Important ones." Her expression soured. "You promised, Troy. You said you'd be there today." "I know. I'll make it up to you." Vanessa stood quickly, the juice in her glass sloshing. "Make it up? Like you did with the food tasting? Or the planning meeting last week? Do you even care about our married life… of me?" "Troy's ditching me again," Vanessa snapped, turning to her brothers. "Apparently, work is more important than my chemo." "Seriously, Troy? You've been acting weird for days. Just be there for her," Van said. Troy clenched his jaw. "Don't turn this into something it's not. I told you-I have to work." "She's sick!" Travis shot back. "This isn't just about wedding plans anymore. It's her health." "I know what this is," Troy snapped, surprising all three of them. "And I said I'll make it up to her." Vanessa's voice turned cold. "What is that supposed to mean? You're doubting me now? After everything I've been through?" "I didn't say that," Troy said, already grabbing his keys. "Just rest, Vanessa. I'll be back." He didn't wait for another word. He walked out the front door and shut it behind him. But he wasn't heading to the office. He was holding something in his briefcase-a thick envelope that had arrived that morning with no return address. He thought it was a business contract at first, but when he opened it, he found a stack of documents, photographs… and a short note: "You should know who you married." The documents detailed Vanessa's medical records. Clean. No signs of leukemia. Not now. Not ever. And tucked behind the fake lab reports were flight records, photos, and even receipts tied to Vanessa's escape five years ago. Troy's grip on the steering wheel tightened as he pulled into the hospital parking lot. He marched inside and asked to see the attending doctor-the same one who had been overseeing Vanessa's alleged "treatment." The man greeted him with a nervous smile. "Mr. Green! How can I help-?" Troy shoved the papers into the man's hands. "Explain." The doctor's smile faded. "Sir, I-these documents-where did you get these?" "So they're real?" Troy asked quietly, deadly calm. The doctor shifted uncomfortably. "Sir, you have to understand-" "Start talking." The doctor hesitated again, then finally sighed. "She paid me. Your wife-Vanessa-she paid me to say she was sick. There was no cancer. She said… she needed sympathy. That it was the only way to win everyone back." Troy stood still. The air in the room grew thick. "She lied to me," he whispered, almost to himself. "She lied to everyone." He turned around slowly, walked out of the hospital, the weight of betrayal settling on his shoulders like a lead blanket. Everything began to unravel. He didn't know who sent him the truth… But he was going to find out. And when he did-he would make sure Vanessa regretted ever coming back.