Chapter 6 - THE WEDDING THAT NEVER HAPPENED
The Grand Sterling Estate was packed.
Guests arrived from New York, Los Angeles, London, Dubai.
Cameras waited outside.
Investors watched.
Business reporters had already written headlines.
BILLIONAIRE DANIEL HARDEN TO MARRY SOCIALITE AMANDA SANDERS
Then the church doors opened.
Music began.
The flower girls walked down the aisle.
Betty first.
Maria behind her.
The guests smiled.
Amanda stood at the altar.
Daniel turned.
He saw them.
Then he saw Rachel at the back.
His face changed.
The entire room went silent.
Betty scattered white petals.
Maria followed.
They reached the altar.
Daniel couldn't move.
He looked at Amanda.
Then Rachel.
Amanda whispered:
“Daniel.”
He took one step toward Rachel.
The officiant cleared his throat.
“Mr. Harden?”
Daniel turned.
“No.”
The word echoed through the church.
Amanda's face crumpled.
“No?”
“I can't do this.”
Whispers exploded.
Daniel looked at every guest.
“This wedding is canceled.”
Someone gasped.
Cameras flashed.
Amanda closed her eyes.
Then her father stood.
Charles Sanders.
His voice was low.
“You're making a mistake.”
Daniel looked at him.
“I know exactly what I'm doing.”
Charles smiled.
“No, Daniel.”
He pulled out a file.
“You don't know anything.”
He opened it.
“Ask Rachel why she really disappeared.”
Rachel's heart stopped.
Daniel looked at her.
Charles continued.
“She didn't leave because she was afraid of you.”
He threw a photograph onto a nearby table.
Rachel's mother.
Standing beside Charles Sanders.
Eight years earlier.
Daniel picked it up.
Rachel whispered:
“Mom?”
Charles smiled.
“Your mother came to me.”
Rachel shook her head.
“No.”
“She wanted protection.”
“From whom?”
Charles looked at Daniel.
“Your father.”
Daniel's expression darkened.
Charles continued.
“Your father threatened to destroy Rachel's family if she told you about the pregnancy.”
Rachel stared at the photograph.
Her mother had been terrified.
Not betraying her.
Protecting her.
Charles lowered his voice.
“But there was one thing Rachel doesn't know.”
Daniel looked at him.
“What?”
“Your father didn't create the problem.”
Charles smiled.
“He inherited it.”
The church doors slammed shut.
Security guards moved into position.
Rachel grabbed the girls.
Daniel stepped in front of them.
“What did you just say?”
Charles smiled.
“Ask your father why he was so desperate to keep you from knowing your own children.”
Daniel's phone rang.
A lawyer.
“Mr. Harden, we have a serious problem.”
“What?”
“The trust has been activated.”
Daniel's face went cold.
“Who activated it?”
The lawyer hesitated.
“Your father.”
Daniel whispered:
“He's dead.”
“Yes.”
“Then how?”
May you like
The lawyer's answer terrified everyone.
“Because the activation was scheduled to occur today.”
