With her heart pounding seemingly louder than the gasps echoing from the assembly of stunned guests, Madeline grabbed the arm of her son, Gerard, ushering him away from the altar. There amidst the ornamental bouquets and the veil of incense smoke, the bride, Sophia, stood frozen, a cryptic chain visible on her neck. Caught between bewilderment and mounting anxiety, silence swirled around the sanctuary like a malevolent phantom.
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