14#14

14

"Dude, what in the world is happening?"

Travis crouched beside Denver, his tone urgent. "Where's Leslie vanished to? And how come Kiana ended up as the bride instead? She just got embarrassed in front of everyone because of this chaos!"

Hearing this, Kiana, who had just stopped weeping, began to sob once more.

Already at his limit, Denver's patience wore thin at the sound of her crying. "Quit the waterworks!" he snapped.

Kiana stopped abruptly, shocked into quiet by his anger.

Feeling sympathy for her, Travis couldn't remain silent anymore. For the first time ever, he challenged the brother he'd always looked up to.

"Come on, man! Kiana stepped in to protect your image after Leslie bailed on you!" he retorted. "This whole fiasco is Leslie's doing, not Kiana's. Why are you lashing out at her?"

Denver said nothing. Instead, he fixed his gaze on Travis, his expression inscrutable. Gradually, he unclenched his fist and presented a slip of paper.