At two o’clock, the wedding party gathered on the beach of Lake Wyndham for a photo shoot, which unexpectedly drew a large crowd of guests. While a bartender mixed cocktails, Maggie and her bridesmaids posed on the dock, guided by a photographer who shouted a series of directions to enhance their looks for the cameras. Despite the joyous atmosphere, the father of the bride felt numb observing his daughter in her expensive wedding dress, which, in his eyes, seemed flimsy.

As guests arrived in light summer attire, he pondered the rumors surrounding Maggie’s rapid rise in her company, given her international work travels with the boss. Errol Gardner, accompanied by his wife Catherine, approached him with a familiar guest, Armando Castado, the CEO of UPS. This unexpected encounter shifted the father’s focus away from his previous distress, leading to a toast to the marriage.

However, the celebratory mood soured as Errol grew anxious about the groom, Aidan, who was late for the ceremony. Attempts to contact him proved futile, prompting speculation that he might have become confused. As the clock ticked down to the ceremony, the father worried about Aidan’s absence and decided to check on him personally, suspecting he might be at his studio.

Upon arrival at the studio, the father sensed unease as Aidan’s voice from below radiated panic. He urged Aidan to abandon the wedding, highlighting the shared guilt between Maggie and him regarding a protective lie about her family. Continuing down the narrow staircase despite his instincts, he found Aidan in a basement-like setting with disturbing items, including a black Colt revolver ominously displayed on a table.

The father tried to convince Aidan to leave, emphasizing support from friends and the repercussions of staying silent. Aidan grappled with the weight of their circumstances, torn between his fear and the lingering influence of Gwendolyn. After deliberation, Aidan finally resolved to leave, but their plan was interrupted by footsteps above. The atmosphere shifted dramatically when a shot echoed from the basement, abruptly signaling that the wedding—and everything associated with it—was now irrevocably changed.