Chapter 4 - The Red Mark on the Cheek
The camera cut to a dramatic close-up of Valeria’s face as the reality of his words struck her.
The red marks on her cheeks swelled up, hot and angry under her heavy bridal makeup.
She took two frantic steps toward Julian, her silver heels clicking wildly against the floor.
"Julian, no!" she gasped, her hands reaching out to catch his dark sleeve.
"You can't do this over a dress! It's our wedding day!"
Julian pulled his arm back, completely out of her reach.
"It was never about the dress," Julian said, his voice flat, low, and devoid of any warmth.
Beside him, little eight-year-old Leo—Julian’s nephew—stepped out from behind the front pew.
The boy was wearing a small matching black suit, holding the velvet ring pillow in his hands.
Leo looked up at Valeria’s red, angry cheeks, then down at the torn red petals on the floor.
Leo took three steps toward Valeria, stopping just outside her reach.
"My grandma made those flowers grow in her garden for six months," Leo said, his child-voice clear and sharp in the quiet room.
"She cut off all the thorns so they wouldn't hurt your hands."
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"You found the only thorn left because your heart is sharp."
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