Chapter 4 - THE FIRST CRACK
Connor's wedding was scheduled for Saturday.
By Friday morning, the story had changed.
Alyssa suddenly claimed she had been emotionally abused by Connor.
Connor denied it.
Then Betsy released a statement accusing me of harassment.
Social media exploded.
People who had never met me called me jealous.
Vindictive.
Bitter.
A woman trying to destroy a happy family.
Connor posted a photograph of himself holding Alyssa's hand.
Some people can't accept when a marriage is over.
I looked at the screen.
Then I laughed.
Parker walked into the room.
"What?"
"He's trying to control the story."
"Will you respond?"
"No."
"Why?"
"Because tomorrow he gets his microphone."
Parker smiled.
"And you?"
"I'll bring evidence."
That night, I dressed Brinley in a pale blue sweater.
Then I placed the sealed envelope inside my handbag.
It contained the first evidence.
The second envelope held the corporate documents.
The third held the fertility records.
I had no intention of revealing everything.
Not yet.
Revenge was not about screaming the loudest.
It was about timing.
Saturday afternoon, Connor married Alyssa.
The venue was spectacular.
Crystal chandeliers.
White roses.
A hundred guests.
Business executives.
Investors.
Family friends.
People who had believed Connor's story for years.
I arrived thirty minutes after the ceremony began.
The doors opened.
Heads turned.
Conversation stopped.
Connor saw me.
His smile vanished.
Betsy stood beside him.
Her face hardened.
Then everyone looked at Brinley.
My daughter slept peacefully against my chest.
I walked toward the front.
Connor approached.
"You weren't invited."
"I know."
"You need to leave."
I looked at Alyssa.
Then at Betsy.
Then at him.
"No."
The room fell silent.
Connor lowered his voice.
"Don't embarrass yourself."
I smiled.
"You should be worried about embarrassing yourself."
His jaw tightened.
"What do you want?"
I lifted the sealed envelope.
"To give you a wedding present."
He stared at it.
"What's inside?"
"You'll find out."
Then I handed the envelope to the officiant.
Connor's face drained.
Because the officiant wasn't opening it.
He was reading the name written across the front.
Connor Hale.
May you like
And beneath it:
Regarding the child he claims is his heir.
