Chapter 14: The Art of Drama

Chapter 14 - The Art of Drama –Laura– I furrowed my brows and gritted my teeth. Carrie was fitting Livana's wedding gown. But then again, I shouldn't be angry. Livana wasn't going to marry that cheating bastard anyway. "The wedding gown isn't made for you, sis," I told her as she sipped from her champagne glass. We were currently riding in the limousine Damon insisted we use to get to the venue. Livana wore a stunning white cocktail dress — she looked absolutely gorgeous. I still had to retouch her makeup, though, and cover a few hickeys Damon had left on her chest. That Was not an easy job. Damon sat across from us like a shadow, brooding quietly. "I'll be waiting here after the show, my love," he said, looking classy, dangerous, and ridiculously sexy. Honestly, I kind of liked this side of my brother-in-law. I couldn't wait to see my family's faces when they realized Livana had married Blackwell. Oh, the drama. The screaming. The gaslighting. I was living for it. "Showtime, baby!" I said excitedly as the car door opened. But before I could even step out, Damon grabbed Livana and kissed her passionately. She kissed him back, and I cringed. "Oh, please! Have some decency," I hissed, yanking Livana away and wiping her lips to fix her makeup. Then I helped her out of the car and led her toward the entrance. There was a giant, edited photo of Livana and Richard as a couple displayed outside. This was supposed to be their wedding. Gross. Dad was already waiting and rushed up to us the second he saw Livana. "Livana," he said, hugging her tightly. "You're here. Let's get ready, alright? The wedding's in an hour." "What's the rush, Dad? Are you desperate to sell me off?" Livana shot back, savage as ever. God, I loved my big sis. "Darling, don't talk like that. You know the Knox family is the better choice. Come," he said, grabbing Livana's wrist to pull her along. "Dad!" I hissed, slapping his hand away. "Livana's blind, remember?" Dad froze, looking frustrated. "I'm sorry, dear," he muttered. "I'll take her," I said firmly. He led us to the preparation room. I caught a glimpse of Damien, disguised as hotel staff, nearby. I nodded at him subtly. One of the rooms here would be Livana and Richard's honeymoon suite . Probably the biggest one. I led Livana inside where several staff buzzed around. Aunt Casey was there too, fussing over the perfect wedding gown that her daughter, Carrie, once wore. "Oh," I said loudly, eyeing the dress. "Looks like it's a little wide around the waist." Livana sighed. "It doesn't matter," she said as I guided her to the vanity seat. "Laura will do my makeup." "But, my dear," Aunt Casey said, her fake sweetness already grating. "Auntie," I said, locking eyes with her, "we all know you don't like us. I'll take care of my sister. I'll do her hair and makeup. Please leave." I pulled out my own makeup kit and waited. Thankfully, they all shuffled out. I locked the door behind them. Then, I placed the tablet on the table and put it on speaker mode. The video loaded — Richard and Carrie in the honeymoon suite. Basically live-streaming a porno. Ugh. Thanks a lot, Damien. "That's disgusting," Livana muttered. "I agree," I said. "Dad said the wedding's in two hours, right?" "Yeah." "I think it'll only take them about three minutes to finish," I snickered. Livana scrunched up her face. "Is it even possible to finish in three minutes?" she asked, genuinely curious. "Well, if Richard can't last long..." I laughed. Livana looked deeply disgusted. "I never thought it could be that short," she said, frowning thoughtfully. "So, how long have you—" I started teasing. "It was almost endless," she said, cutting me off with a small, secretive smile. "Tsk. If I had known it could be so short, maybe I would've—" Oh, I knew exactly what she was thinking. Wishing Damon could finish quickly? Nah. Where's the fun in that? "Is everything settled?" Livana asked, shifting back to business mode. "Yep. And I cannot wait!" A knock on the door interrupted us. I peeked out and saw Damien, still dressed as staff. He pulled down his mask and grinned. I threw the door wide open. "Hello! Could you clear out the flowers? My sister's allergic and sneezing like crazy." Damien rolled the cart inside and shut the door behind him. He checked every corner, scanning for hidden cameras and bugs. Nothing. He even used one of those fancy scanning devices. Once he gave the all-clear, he started moving flowers onto the cart. "I think we should head to the venue now," Livana said calmly. "Tell Dad we're ready to start." "Oh, right!" I said, pulling out my phone and calling him. Dad picked up immediately. "Laura? What is it? Is everything alright?" "Dad, Livana's ready. Can we start the wedding now?" "Okay, okay. Let me gather everyone. I'll call Richard." "Great," I said sweetly. "Have you seen your sister, Carrie?" I stared at the tablet screen where Carrie was gleefully riding Richard like a cowgirl at a rodeo. Oh, this scandal was gonna be epic. "Nope, haven't seen her," I said innocently and hung up. I fixed Livana's hair again. She hadn't wanted to wear the full gown, and honestly, she didn't need to. She looked like a goddess already. Damien munched on some snacks from the table as I adjusted the final touches. I slipped into my black dress — perfect for the occasion. Then we headed to the venue. Everyone was already gathered — family, friends, guests. "Livana?" Aunt Casey called out, scandalized. "Why aren't you dressed?" We ignored her. "Livy!" Grandpa Edward rushed over. "Livy, why are you crying?" I froze. Crying? I turned to look — and sure enough, Livana had tears streaming down her face. "Grandpa," she sniffled, "I don't want this marriage." "Oh, sweetheart, what are you saying? I thought you wanted this." "No," Livana sobbed harder, hugging Grandpa tight. Grandpa Edward adored Livana. No way he could stand seeing her like this. "I just received some messages... recordings..." Her voice cracked. "My husband isn't faithful." "Livana, dear, that's nonsense!" Sharlene Knox, Richard's mother, snapped. "Auntie," I said, with a sugary sweet smile, "someone sent us proof." Sharlene scowled. "And what, we're just going to end the contract like this?" she shrieked. "The wedding is ready, the documents are signed—technically, Livana and Richard are already married! They just need to sign—" A loud moaning echoed from the speakers overhead. The entire room gasped. "Yes! Carrie! Yes! Ride me like your damn stallion!" Richard's unmistakable voice blared through the hall. Livana looked up, her expression the perfect picture of innocent confusion. "Grandpa, what is that?" she whimpered. I almost applauded her performance on the spot. God, she was good. "Grandpa... what's happening?" "Shut it!" I heard Dad shout, and everyone gasped, some even snapping photos. "I said shut it!" he roared again as he rushed to the station. There were more flashes of cameras. Carrie was wearing Livana's gown, the dress fitting her perfectly — it must have been last night — while Richard grabbed her intimately, and they made out right there, in that dress. Gross. I was beyond relieved that Livy and I hadn't even touched that gown. God knows what fluids they might have soiled it with. My stomach twisted into knots. Even though the private parts of Richard and Carrie were blurred, their faces showed something gruesome. Even after the laptop was shut down, the movie kept playing on the projector, like some sick joke. Was it hacked? I glanced at Damien, who was passing by holding a tray. I knew he was smirking behind that stupid mask. And then—Livana. "Grandpa!" she cried, throwing herself into Grandpa's arms. "Please, please... don't marry me off... They've been doing this behind my back... even in my own home!" she sobbed. Her voice cracked just right, the kind of raw, trembling sound that made even the snobbiest old bats in the room look like they might faint. The crowd gasped again, louder this time, and I swear about a dozen people had their phones pointed straight at Livana, recording every beautiful, heartbreaking second. And Grandpa—oh, he was wrecked. He hugged her tight, like she was the only thing left worth protecting in the whole damn family.