Chapter 8 - The Message on Tristan’s Phone
Leah found the phone beneath the altar.
It belonged to Tristan.
The screen lit with a new message from his father.
Do not let the Army speak publicly. Get James out before the press arrives.
Leah handed it to Maisie.
Tristan lunged for the phone.
She pulled it away.
“You knew they were coming.”
“I knew there might be some military nonsense.”
“When?”
He did not answer.
Maisie opened the message thread.
The night before the wedding, Tristan’s father had warned him that Army officials were searching for James.
He had instructed Tristan to keep James away from the ceremony.
That was why Tristan insisted on the tuxedo.
That was why he forced James to work outside.
That was why he tried to move him to the back row.
He was not merely embarrassed by the vest.
He feared the truth would surface in front of the guests.
Maisie looked at him.
“You planned to humiliate him until he left.”
Tristan’s silence confirmed it.
James stepped forward.
“You knew my name was in the investigation?”
Tristan’s father answered.
“We knew there were questions.”
“You knew your father had lied.”
“We knew nothing was proven.”
General Cole held up the folder.
“It is proven now.”
Tristan pointed at Maisie.
“This does not change what your father is. He has no money. No connections. No place in our world.”
Maisie looked at him with disbelief.
“He has more honor than everyone in your family combined.”
Tristan grabbed her wrist.
James moved instantly.
He did not strike him.
He simply removed Tristan’s hand and positioned himself between them with disciplined precision.
The movement was so controlled that Tristan stumbled backward without understanding how.
General Cole’s voice became cold.
“Do not touch her again.”
Tristan raised both hands.
“She is my fiancée.”
Maisie looked at the ring in his palm.
“No. I’m not.”
Tristan’s mother began crying near the front row.
His father told him to leave.
But Tristan was no longer listening.
His entire public image had collapsed.
And he blamed James.
“You ruined my wedding.”
James’s expression remained calm.
“No, son.”
He looked toward Maisie.
May you like
“You did that before I arrived.”
👉 Tristan had lost the bride and the room—but his family’s secrets were about to cost them far more than a wedding.
