The Wedding Party

Part 42: A Confession

Ashleigh Lewis and Alanna Leblanc stepped into the dimly lit bar, still feeling the residual rocking of the waves from their sailing trip. The warmth of the room embraced them as they shook off the chill that clung to their skin.

"Ah, there you two are!" Layne Barry called out from behind the counter, his voice filled with relief and a hint of amusement. "We were starting to think you'd sailed off to some deserted island."

"Almost," Ashleigh replied with a wry smile, brushing her wind-tousled hair back from her face. She glanced over at Alanna, whose cheeks were flushed from the sun and adventure. "But we figured we should come back for the festivities."

"Good call," Layne said, nodding in agreement. "Can I get you ladies something to drink?"

"Actually," Alanna interjected, placing a hand on Ashleigh's arm, "I need to ask you something first." She turned to her girlfriend, her eyes softening with a touch of uncertainty. "Do you mind giving me a moment alone with Layne?"

"Of course not," Ashleigh replied, squeezing Alanna's hand reassuringly. "Take your time. I'll be outside getting some fresh air." With that, she slipped out of the bar, leaving Alanna and Layne alone.

As soon as the door closed, Alanna leaned in closer to Layne, her voice barely above a whisper. "Layne, I heard about a couple who got engaged recently. They found a diamond ring on the beach—is that true?"

"Ah, yeah," Layne confirmed, scratching her chin thoughtfully. "Cute story, isn't it? They said it was like fate, finding that ring just when they were ready to take the next step."

"Did they show you the ring?" Alanna asked, her heart pounding in her chest.

"Sure did," Layne replied, nodding. "It's a beauty."

"Can you describe it to me?" Alanna pressed, her voice shaking slightly.

"Of course," Layne said, furrowing her brow as she recalled the ring. "It was a round-cut diamond with a delicate gold band and tiny sapphires encircling it."

Alanna's breath caught in her throat. That was the exact description of the ring she had planned to give Ashleigh. She knew then she had to get that ring back, no matter what.

Meanwhile, upstairs at the Manor, Helena returned to her room, feeling uneasy after her conversation with Preston. As she stepped inside, she noticed that the window was open, the curtains billowing softly in the night breeze. Frowning, she crossed the room to close it.

In the glass pane, she caught sight of Ash's reflection, her face pale and eyes wide with fear. Startled, Helena turned to face her. "Ash, what are you doing here? What happened?"

"Helena, I need your help," Ash whispered urgently, glancing over her shoulder as though expecting someone to be watching them. "The surprise I left for Preston—it was just a roman candle hidden in the unity candle. But there's something else going on. I think I saw Bo Brandt."

"Brandt?" Helena repeated, her blood running cold at the mention of the infamous killer. "You can't be serious."

"Please, just come with me. I found something, and I need you to see it too," Ash pleaded, desperation evident in her voice.

As Helena hesitated, weighing her options, Darrell returned to his room, his heart heavy with grief. Olive watched him from the doorway, her eyes narrowing as anger bubbled up within her. "How could you?" she spat, her voice trembling with fury. "How could you have an affair with Yusuf?"

Jairo's head snapped up at the revelation, his eyes filling with hurt and betrayal as he looked between Darrell and Olive. The room felt as though it had been plunged into icy silence, the air thick with unspoken pain.