Chapter 5
The first insult came wrapped in laughter.
“Elise always said Grace was humble,” one bridesmaid whispered.
Another replied, “Humble or broke?”
Grace heard them.
She kept her face still.
Then came Richard.
He clapped a hand on Grace’s shoulder as if she were a distant cousin he had been forced to invite.
“Try to stay out of the main photos,” he said. “Elise has a very specific look planned.”
Grace looked at him.
“I’m her sister.”
Richard smiled thinly.
“Exactly.”
Margaret appeared with champagne and added, “Darling, don’t make everything about your feelings.”
Grace almost turned and left.
Then she saw Daniel.
Still by the stage.
Still waiting.
Still holding the folder that represented years of records her family thought had disappeared.
So Grace stayed.
Elise walked toward the fountain with the clear container in her hand, pretending to adjust a floral display.
“Come here, Grace,” she called.
Grace did not move.
Elise’s smile sharpened.
“Oh, don’t be dramatic. I want a sister picture.”
Guests turned.
Phones lifted.
Grace stepped forward because refusing would become another story Elise could twist.
When she reached the fountain, Elise leaned close.
“You should thank me for inviting you.”
Grace answered, “I thanked you already.”
Elise’s eyes hardened.
“No. You thanked me like an equal.”
Then she shoved Grace.
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Grace fell backward into the fountain.
Read the full story 👉 Elise staged the fountain moment because she wanted Grace humiliated in front of the entire wedding.
