Chapter 5 - The Collapse of the Canopy
The silence that followed was absolute.
David Sy, the groom, slowly turned his head to look at his new wife, then at his mother-in-law. "Chloe... is this true? Your mother told my father that your family assets funded this entire event. She said you owned three properties in Makati."
"David, no! She’s faking those documents!" Chloe cried, grabbing his arm. "She’s just an accountant, she probably forged my mother’s signature! Mama, tell him!"
Teresa couldn't speak. She looked like a ghost standing in a garden of expensive lilies.
Just then, the grand double doors of the ballroom opened, and the General Manager of the Plaza de San Jose walked in, flanked by three security guards. He walked straight to the stage, looking grim.
"Mrs. Santos," the manager said, his voice projecting through the quiet room. "We have just received an official notice of payment revocation and a declaration of contract dispute from the primary funding source, Ms. Elena Santos. As the balance for the catering, the security, and the venue staff has been withdrawn, we are legally required to suspend all services immediately."
"You can't do this!" Mark roared, stepping forward. "We have three hundred guests here! My father-in-law is Jonathan Sy!"
Jonathan Sy stood up slowly, adjusting his suit jacket. He looked at Mark with a look of absolute disgust.
"Do not use my name to cover your debts, young man," Jonathan said. He turned to his son. "David. Stand up."
"Dad..." David began.
"We do not marry into families of thieves and liars," Jonathan said, his voice cold as ice. "They lied about their assets, they lied about their standing, and they abuse children for the crime of being hungry. The wedding is over. We are leaving."
"David, please!" Chloe sobbed, reaching for her husband as he slowly pulled his hand away from hers.
"I'm sorry, Chloe," David said, his voice hollow. "My father is right. This entire marriage is built on a lie."
He took off his boutonniere, dropped it onto the floor, and walked off the stage, following his father and the rest of the Sy family as they marched out of the ballroom. Within minutes, the wealthy guests began to scramble for their coats, rushing to exit the room as if it were on fire.
Mark turned on me, his face twisted in pure, animalistic rage. "You ruined everything! You ruined my sister's life! You ruined my family!"
He lunged at me, his hands reaching for my neck.
But before he could reach me, the three security guards stepped in, pinning his arms behind his back and slamming him onto the carpeted steps.
"Get your hands off him!" Teresa shrieked, falling to her knees as she watched her world collapse in a matter of seconds. "Elena, please! We will pay you back! Just tell the manager to let the dinner continue! The guests are leaving!"
I looked down at her. The great, proud Teresa Santos, kneeling in a puddle of spilled champagne, her designer dress stained with the grey dust of the stage.
"The loan is due in thirty days, Teresa," I said quietly, holding the microphone so she could hear every word. "And since I know you don't have the money, my lawyers will begin the foreclosure process on your ancestral home on Monday. You have thirty days to pack your things."
I turned my back on them.
I walked down the steps, down the long, empty center aisle where the pink frosting of Leo’s cupcake still stained the white marble floor.
I walked to the back of the room, where Leo was waiting for me. He looked up, his small hand reaching out to hold mine.
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"Is the game over, Mama?" he asked.
"Yes, my love," I said, lifting him into my arms and resting his head against my shoulder. "The game is over. Let's go home."
