Chapter 1 - CLAIRE?!
The first glass display hit the floor before Claire Morgan understood Vanessa Reed had actually decided to destroy something.
Crystal hairpins, pearl combs, silver clips, and hand-set bridal jewelry scattered across the polished studio floor.
Vanessa did not stop. She grabbed the second display and shoved. Glass shattered.
A mannequin in the center of the studio wore Claire’s newest custom gown.
Vanessa pointed at it.
“MAKE MY DRESS FREE!”
Claire crossed the studio in three strides.
SLAP.
Vanessa recoiled.
Claire pointed directly at her.
“ARE YOU DELUSIONAL?!”
Vanessa touched her cheek, then stepped forward again.
“You should BEG me to wear your dress!”
Claire knocked her pointing hand aside.
“GET OUT OF MY STORE!”
Vanessa refused. Instead she grabbed the gown mannequin.
Claire yanked it back.
“My fiancé will DESTROY you!”
The studio door flew open.
Daniel Morgan rushed inside.
“Vanessa! What happened?!”
Vanessa pointed at Claire.
“She attacked me!”
Daniel turned, already angry.
Then saw Claire.
His face emptied.
“CLAIRE?!”
Vanessa looked between them.
“Wait.”
Claire folded her arms.
Daniel looked at the shattered displays, the mannequin, Vanessa’s red cheek, then back to his sister.
“What happened?”
Vanessa answered first.
“She refused to make my wedding dress after promising—”
“I promised nothing,” Claire said.
“You said family pricing.”
“At cost. Not free.”
Daniel frowned.
“Why would it need to be free?”
Vanessa froze.
Claire noticed.
So did Daniel.
Then Claire saw the open folder on the consultation table.
One page showed a vendor invoice.
Morgan Bridal Atelier.
Custom gown.
$47,850.
Status:
May you like
PAID BY FAMILY WEDDING FUND.
Claire had never issued it.
