Elena's POV:
By the time the banquet began, Lucas had already checked his phone so many times that even from across the room, people could see the strain starting to show. Bella had not arrived. Neither had her father.
At first, Lucas tried to play it off. He reassured his guests. He kept telling people that wealthy families moved on their own schedules and that powerful men were always late. Then he started texting.
Lucas: Darling, did you pick up your father yet?
Lucas: Are you sure he will come here? He is going to bless us tonight, isn't he?
Bella, of course, was long gone.
I had paid her well and sent her back to her home country with enough money to disappear from Lucas completely.
That was one of the easiest parts of the plan. Bella had never given Lucas the details of her re
