Chapter 10 - THE SECOND WEDDING
Three weeks later, Connor announced a second wedding.
He claimed the first ceremony had been interrupted by "a family dispute."
Alyssa appeared beside him.
Still pregnant.
Still claiming the child was his.
The announcement received thousands of reactions.
But something had changed.
People were beginning to ask questions.
A national business magazine published an article about Connor's company.
Then another.
Then an investigative reporter contacted Parker.
They had discovered irregularities in Hale Industries.
We gave them documents.
Not everything.
Just enough.
The story exploded.
Connor's investors demanded answers.
His board requested an emergency meeting.
Betsy blamed me.
Connor blamed Parker.
Alyssa blamed everyone.
And I remained silent.
Until the morning of the wedding.
I arrived carrying Brinley.
In my other hand was a sealed envelope.
The venue was smaller this time.
Private.
Controlled.
Connor saw me immediately.
"You again."
I smiled.
"You keep inviting trouble."
"I didn't invite you."
"Yet here I am."
Alyssa looked frightened.
"What is in the envelope?"
"You'll find out."
Connor stepped toward me.
"This ends today."
I looked at him.
"Yes."
Parker entered behind me.
Two investigators followed.
Connor's face changed.
"What are they doing here?"
Parker answered.
"Serving subpoenas."
Betsy screamed.
"This is harassment!"
One investigator calmly replied:
"No, ma'am."
He held up the documents.
"This is a federal investigation."
The room erupted.
Connor looked at me.
"You did this."
I shook my head.
"No."
I looked toward the guests.
"The evidence did."
Then I opened the envelope.
Inside was a DNA test.
I handed it to Connor.
He looked at the result.
His hands began shaking.
The report contained one sentence.
Probability of paternity: 0%.
Alyssa screamed.
Connor turned toward her.
"You said he was mine."
Alyssa began crying.
"I was told you needed an heir."
"Who told you?"
She looked toward Betsy.
May you like
Nobody spoke.
But the answer was obvious.
