HAPTER 26
I slipped into the crowd gathered at Marco Salvani and Amanda Banes‘ s wedding. The garden was immaculate, decorated with white roses and golden accents that screamed excess. I adjusted the glasses perched on my nose, tugging at the plain, oversized shawl draped over my shoulders. Disguised as an elderly guest, I blended in seamlessly.
The security was tight, but my outfit and deliberate shuffle ensured no one looked twice.
As I stood in the corner, observing the scene, the familiar melody of classical instruments began to play. It was soft at first, then grew louder, filling the space with a serene, almost magical quality. All eyes turned to the back of the aisle, where Amanda Banes appeared, radiant in her white gown. Her dress sparkled in the afternoon sunlight, and she carried herself
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like a queen.
The guests gasped, murmuring their admiration. Amanda‘ s smile was
dazzling, her arm linked with her father‘ s as she made her way down the aisle. I forced a polite smile, even as disgust simmered beneath the surface.
Let her have her moment. It wouldn’t
last.
Amanda reached the altar, where Marco stood, his face painted with a perfect. mixture of adoration and smugness. They exchanged smiles, their expressions a performance for the crowd. I held my breath, standing near a table on the side, waiting for the right moment.
my
The ceremony began. The officiant‘ s voice droned on about love and unity, but
focus was on Marco‘ s face. His confidence radiated through the crowd, his every movement rehearsed. When they began their vows, I almost laughed aloud.
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Amanda spoke first, her voice dripping with sincerity. “Marco, you‘ ve shown me he meaning of loyalty and devotion-”
S smi
ed wisnorted quietly, drawing a strange look downtom a man beside me. I quickly composed evenayself, nodding as though I agreed with e surfamanda’s sentiment.
–
ent Then it was Marco‘ s turn. “Amanda, you
re my light in the darkness, my safe arbor in the storm…”
altar, vi
d with it the inside of my cheek to keep from and smughing. Lies. Every word was a lie.
eir exper
Crowdow
a table
e moment I’d been waiting for arrived ddenly, marked by an earsplitting
eech from the speakers. The serene
nomenon
nosphere shattered. Guests winced,
The Vering their ears, and the officiant froze
it lowrd–sentence.
Co arco
hat’s happening?” someone whispered hrod thro
arby.
Parsedearsed
mastiren, the LED screen positioned beside the
War flickered to life. Gasps rippled
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through the crowd as the face of a masked figure appeared on the screen. The person‘ s voice, distorted and mechanical, cut through the chaos.
“Good afternoon, esteemed guests,” the figure greeted. “I am Karma, and I bring you a gift on this most joyous occasion.”
Marco’s face paled. Amanda’s smile faltered.
“Happy wedding day,” Karma continued, a mocking tone in their voice. “But let’s not waste time. I’ve prepared a little surprise for the bride and groom.”
The screen flickered again, and suddenly, a series of photos appeared. The air in the garden grew heavy as the images showed Marco in compromising situations with multiple women.
Gasps turned to whispers, whispers turned to murmurs, and murmurs erupted into
chaos.
“Karma” the masked figure’s voice
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resumed, “Marco Salvani, a man of loyalty and devotion. Amanda, are you still sure you want to marry him?”
Amanda’s face was a mix of shock and fury. Her lips trembled as she turned to Marco, who grabbed her arm desperately. “Amanda, I can explain!” Marco’s voice was frantic.
“Explain?” Amanda hissed, yanking her arm away. “You lied to me!”
Marco’s eyes darted to the screen. “Turn it off!” he bellowed at the staff. “Turn that thing off now!”
“Oh, but wait,” Karma interrupted. “I have another gift. This one’s for Amanda Banes”
The crowd quieted slightly, their eyes shifting to Amanda.
A new audio clip began to play. It was faint at first, but then the sound of a woman’s voice echoed loudly.
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“Don’t lie to me, old rag. We know you
helped her. Tell me where she is, or you‘ 11 regret it.”
“I don‘ t know! Please, I don’t know anything!” another voice cried–a voice of a poor old woman, Gretchen.
A sharp sound followed, a groan of pain and then the screen revealed the death of Gretchen Guidotti. My hands tightened into fists at the memory.
Karma s voice returned. “And here we have Amanda Banes, prosecutor by title, tormentor by nature. Tell me, Amanda, what kind of justice do you serve?”
The crowd was no longer whispering–they were openly talking now, pointing at the bride and groom, their expressions a mix. of disgust and amusement.
“You‘ re both monsters!” someone shouted
from the back.
Another guest muttered, “I can’t believe I came here to celebrate this.”
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Marco and Amanda stood frozen at the altar, their perfect wedding crumbling before their eyes. Amanda‘ s hands clenched her dress as if trying to maintain some semblance of composure, while Marco’s face was beet red, his eyes. darting around like a trapped animal.
The crowd began to thin as guests left in disgust, some laughing, others shaking
their heads.
I stayed in the shadows, watching with a smile as the chaos unfolded. This was the
justice they deserved–public humiliation, a glimpse of the pain they had caused others.
When Marco and Amanda finally stormed away, I pulled out my phone. The video of the event, streamed live on multiple platforms, had already gone viral. Comments poured in by the thousands, condemning the couple, praising Karma, and demanding more revelations.
As I returned to the headquarters, I pushed
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the door, and a wave of dread hit me. The place was a wreck–overturned chairs, shattered monitors, and papers scattered like fallen leaves. My heart pounded as I stepped further inside, calling out, “Daniel? Sue? Blake?”
Silence.
The air felt heavy, suffocating, as if the walls themselves held their breath. My mind raced. This wasn’t an accident–it was deliberate.
On the table lay a single note, scrawled in red: *Come find them, Daphne.*
I clenched the paper in my fist, fear morphing into resolve. Whoever did this. made the gravest mistake of their life.
7
