Chapter 1: The Second Recording
The ballroom was so quiet that I could hear Bianca's champagne glass trembling against the table.
Five hundred guests stared at the enormous screen behind me.
My wedding dress lay in two pieces at my feet. The damaged overskirt was crumpled beside the pristine fitted gown beneath it. Marcus stood to my right, his fingers wrapped tightly around mine.
And Bianca, my husband's sister, looked as though someone had just announced her execution.
I pressed the playback button.
The screen flickered.
A timestamp appeared.
Then Bianca's voice filled the ballroom.
"Make sure nobody comes in until I'm finished.""
The camera showed her standing in the dressing room, holding her phone against her ear.
I stopped breathing.
This wasn't the footage of her cutting my dress.
This was something else.
"Yes, I know what I'm doing," Bianca continued.
"The ceremony starts in three minutes. By the time they realize what happened, it'll be too late.""
A murmur traveled through the guests.
Marcus released my hand.
"What the hell?"" he whispered.
On the screen, Bianca walked toward the dress and inspected the embroidered overskirt.
Then she said something that made my blood turn cold.
"If Nia wants to marry into this family, she needs to learn that she doesn't get to take everything.""
The voice on the other end of the phone was faint, but the microphone picked up enough.
"Did you get the documents?""
Bianca glanced toward the dressing room door.
"Not yet. They're in her bridal suite. I'll take them after the ceremony.""
My stomach tightened.
Documents?
What documents?
Bianca laughed.
"Don't worry. Once Marcus signs everything, she'll have no idea what she's agreed to.""
Marcus took a step toward the screen.
"Pause it.""
I looked at him.
"Why?""
He didn't answer.
His eyes were fixed on his sister.
On the screen, Bianca moved closer to the camera.
Her voice became quieter.
"Besides, if everything goes according to plan, Nia won't be staying married for very long.""
The recording ended.
For several seconds, nobody moved.
Then Bianca screamed.
"TURN THAT OFF!""
She rushed toward the production booth, but Marcus stepped in front of her.
"Stay where you are.""
"Marcus, you don't understand!""
"Then explain it.""
She looked at me.
For the first time in eighteen months, Bianca didn't look superior.
She looked frightened.
"Nia, this is a misunderstanding.""
I picked up the microphone.
"Which part?""
She swallowed.
"The recording. It's been taken out of context.""
"Which context?""
"I was upset.""
"You cut a dress worth $120,000 because you were upset?""
Her face hardened.
"Don't pretend you're innocent.""
A few guests gasped.
I tilted my head.
"What exactly have I done to you, Bianca?""
She opened her mouth.
Then closed it.
Her husband, Richard, finally stood from their table.
"Bianca, sit down.""
She spun toward him.
"Don't you dare tell me what to do.""
Richard looked at the screen.
Then at Marcus.
"Maybe we should all calm down.""
Marcus gave a humorless laugh.
"Your wife just admitted she was planning to take documents from my bride's suite and trick me into signing something.""
Richard's face changed.
"What documents?""
Bianca shot him a warning look.
"Richard, shut up.""
That was when I noticed something strange.
Richard wasn't looking at Bianca with anger.
He was looking at her with fear.
Not fear of being embarrassed.
Fear of something being discovered.
I turned toward Simone, who stood near the production booth.
"Is there more?""
She nodded.
"Two additional files.""
Bianca shook her head violently.
"No. You can't show those.""
I looked at her.
"Why not?""
"Because they're private!""
I almost laughed.
"Apparently, my wedding dress wasn't.""
Marcus turned to the production manager.
"Play the next file.""
The screen went black.
Then a new image appeared.
It showed Bianca entering my bridal suite at 9:17 that morning.
She was carrying a small leather handbag.
And she wasn't alone.
A man followed her through the door.
I recognized him immediately.
My smile disappeared.
So did Marcus's.
Because the man walking into my bridal suite wasn't a stranger.
It was Daniel Cross.
May you like
Marcus's personal attorney.
And the man who had prepared our prenuptial agreement.
