Her father led her to a bench and pulled her to him. She didn't care that her makeup was getting ruined, that her veil had pulled away from the pins and now sat askew on her head. She only knew that her face was pressed into her father's white shirt and she was staining it with sudden tears.
"Tell me, Daddy. What happened? You promise he's okay?"
Her father nodded. "He's perfectly healthy, if that's what you're worried about, but the case took a turn for the worse. His witness skipped out on the arraignment and nobody can find him. The district attorney said they had to find him today or he'd throw the book at the guy---and the law firm."
"Noah wasn't supposed to be working today! Mr. Matthew was taking over the court appearance.
"Matthew and Noah are actually together and tracking down the client." His hand was now patting her back. "Oh, honey, I'm sorry."
Iva lurched out of her father's arms.
"It's our wedding. Somebody else could be out there tracking down their thug. Matthew Perry could have taken one of the guys who delivers the subpoenas. They're used to barging their way into places and finding people who don't want to be found. This is insane, Daddy." A pained look crossed her father's face.
He knew she was right, but had no way to soften the blow.
"Noah always lets Matthew run his life." Mr. Remington pursed his lips. "Noah wants to make partner one day. Matthew says jump, and Noah says how high. That's the life you're going to have for a few years, honey. It's part of the game."
"I did an internship at a law firm, Daddy. I know too well, but that doesn't make it right." Iva began to pace, then kicked off her high heels, sending them skittering across the floor.
"Maybe he is..." Iva paused, trying to erase the thought she just had completely off her mind. She thought he's cheating on her or something. "Am I not good enough?" She quietly whimpered.
"No, Iva, don't do that. No." Her father wrapped his arms around her shoulder.
She was beginning to sweat under her arms. Dozens of eyes tried to catch sight of the bride in the foyer, every guest attempting to eavesdrop. Titters of conversation filled the chapel.
Noah was embarrassing her. Humiliating her!
"Noah had a choice" she said, trying not to blubber like an idiot."Even well respected agencies let their lawyers off on their wedding day. When will he get here?"
"Nobody knows where they are."
"He left me at the altar," Iva whispered. "How could he do this?" They had talked about this very scenario and Noah had promised it wouldn't happen. He'd promised that their wedding day that she---was the most important thing to him.