Chapter 5
Eric stared at Clara.
For one second, he looked almost amused.
“You’re a nanny.”
Clara’s cheek was still red from Vanessa’s slap.
But her voice stayed steady.
“Yes. And before I became Mia’s nanny, I was a corporate paralegal.”
Dad looked at her.
I did too.
I had known Clara made the best grilled cheese in the world.
I had known she could braid my hair without pulling once.
I had not known she could make Eric Harlow stop smiling.
Clara held up the papers.
“These transfer documents name Harlow Systems LLC. Daniel dissolved that shell company last year after the merger. The active parent company is Harlow Industries Group.”
Eric’s face tightened.
Dad whispered, “Clara.”
She glanced at him.
“I told your office twice there were irregular papers in Vanessa’s desk. Your assistant said you were too busy with wedding planning.”
Dad looked ashamed.
Eric recovered fast.
“Fine. Then he signs corrected papers later.”
“No,” Clara said. “Because Owen recorded coercion. Adrian brought proof of bigamy. And you locked dozens of witnesses inside a chapel.”
Vanessa screamed, “Shut up.”
Clara did not.
“You are done.”
Eric rushed at her.
Dad moved first.
He shoved Eric back so hard Eric hit the chapel door.
Guests gasped.
I ran to Clara.
She pulled me close.
Eric touched his lip and laughed.
“There he is. Saint Daniel finally throws a punch.”
“I didn’t punch you,” Dad said. “Don’t tempt me.”
Marcus and two other security men surrounded Eric.
Vanessa tried to slip toward the side hallway.
Harper, one of her bridesmaids, blocked her.
“You’re not leaving us locked in here,” Harper said.
Vanessa glared at her.
“Move.”
Harper shook her head.
I did not know Harper well.
She had always seemed afraid of Vanessa too.
Now she looked afraid and brave at the same time.
Outside, sirens began to wail.
At first, faint.
Then louder.
Everyone turned toward the stained-glass windows.
Eric’s expression cracked.
“How?”
Owen lifted his camera.
“My equipment has its own emergency uplink. The moment you locked the doors, my producer called police.”
Vanessa sank onto the altar step.
Dad looked at me.
For the first time since I ran down the aisle, he smiled through tears.
“You brave little girl.”
I held Clara’s hand.
“I was scared.”
May you like
He nodded.
“So was I.”
