Chapter 2
I felt my father’s heartbeat through his suit.
Fast.
Too fast.
His arm tightened around me as Eric stood before the locked chapel doors with the papers in his hand.
Nobody moved.
Nobody breathed.
Vanessa’s veil shook around her shoulders.
The beautiful bride was gone.
Now she looked like someone whose mask had cracked in front of everyone.
Dad stared at Eric.
“My own brother?”
Eric smiled, but his mouth looked tight.
“Don’t make this dramatic.”
Dad’s voice broke.
“You planned to steal my company.”
“Our company,” Eric snapped. “Our father built Harlow Technologies for both of us.”
“You sold your shares.”
“Because you pushed me out.”
“You gambled them away.”
Eric’s eyes hardened.
Vanessa stepped back from him.
“Eric,” she whispered. “Unlock the doors.”
He ignored her.
The guests started whispering.
Someone tried the side exit.
Locked too.
My stomach twisted.
Clara moved closer to me.
Eric pointed at her.
“You. Stay away from the girl.”
Dad shifted me behind him.
“You don’t speak to my daughter.”
Eric laughed softly.
“That daughter is the whole problem. Everything goes to her one day. Not me. Not my children. Her.”
I gripped Dad’s hand.
I had never heard someone talk about me like I was not a person.
Like I was a key.
Adrian Vale walked slowly down the aisle, holding his folder high.
“Vanessa married me six years ago in Nevada,” he said. “She disappeared after draining our joint accounts. I have the original certified marriage record.”
Vanessa’s eyes darted toward him.
“You were paid to stay quiet.”
The words slipped out before she could stop them.
The chapel exploded with gasps.
Dad looked like he might fall.
Eric shouted, “Enough.”
He held the company-transfer papers toward Dad.
“You sign now, Daniel. You transfer emergency control to me. Then everyone walks out calmly.”
Dad looked at him.
“You think I’ll sign under threat?”
Eric’s smile faded.
“I think you’ll do anything to keep Mia safe.”
My blood went cold.
Clara put both hands on my shoulders.
Dad turned slightly and whispered, “Mia, listen to me.”
I looked up at him.
His eyes were wet.
“No matter what happens, you are not the reason for this.”
I started crying.
“But I stopped the wedding.”
“You saved me.”
Eric slammed his hand against the doors.
“Sign.”
Then the chapel lights flickered.
The videographer lifted his camera again.
May you like
And I realized something.
It was still recording.
