Audrey looked at her father, her eyes wide with shock. “Dad, wait. We can fix this. The press hasn’t—”

“The press is already running the story, Audrey,” Senator Kensington interrupted, his tone ice-cold.

He pulled a smartphone from his breast pocket and held it out so she could see the screen.

Even from a few feet away, I could see the header of a major Chicago news outlet.

“My campaign cannot survive a association with this kind of public circus,” the Senator said, looking directly at Vivian.

Vivian stepped toward him, her hands trembling as she reached out. “Thomas, please. Let’s talk about this in the study. It’s a misunderstanding.”

“It is a liability,” the Senator said, stepping back to avoid her touch.

He turned his gaze to Garrett, who was standing motionless near the altar.

“The wedding is off,” Senator Kensington announced, his voice carrying clearly to every corner of the room.

“Immediately.”

Audrey let out a sharp, choked sob. “Dad, no. Garrett, tell him!”

Garrett took a step toward her, his hands raised in a gesture of appeal. “Sir, if we just release a joint statement—”