Chapter 6
The police cut the chains from the chapel doors.
The sound of metal falling made everyone jump.
Then cold air rushed inside.
Officers entered fast.
Voices filled the chapel.
Hands up.
Step away.
Nobody move.
Eric raised his hands with a furious smile, like this was only an inconvenience.
Vanessa started crying.
Not real crying.
Pretty crying.
The kind she used when she wanted Dad to forgive her.
“Daniel,” she sobbed. “Please tell them this is a family misunderstanding.”
Dad looked at her.
“I don’t have a family misunderstanding with a woman who tried to steal my company and send my daughter away.”
Her tears stopped.
Eric was handcuffed first.
He stared at Dad while the officer locked metal around his wrists.
“You think this ends here?”
Dad did not answer.
Vanessa was next.
She fought when they touched her veil.
“My dress,” she snapped.
The officer said, “Ma’am, turn around.”
Adrian stood near the aisle with his marriage record.
He looked tired, not happy.
When Vanessa passed him, she spit one sentence at him.
“You ruined everything.”
Adrian shook his head.
“No. I finally stopped helping you hide.”
I held Dad’s hand while the chapel emptied.
Guests stared at us.
Some looked sorry.
Some looked ashamed because they had believed Vanessa when she blamed Clara.
Clara stood apart, holding ice to her cheek.
I pulled Dad toward her.
“You need to apologize.”
He looked down at me.
“I know.”
He walked to Clara.
The chapel was almost empty now.
Only police, Owen, Adrian, Marcus, and a few family members remained.
Dad’s voice was quiet.
“Clara, I failed you. I let Vanessa accuse you. I let her make you look guilty when you were protecting my child.”
Clara’s eyes filled.
“You were being lied to.”
“That explains it,” he said. “It does not excuse it.”
I loved him more for that.
Clara looked at me.
“I only cared that Mia was safe.”
Dad swallowed hard.
“She is safe because of you.”
Then an officer approached.
“Mr. Harlow, we need statements from everyone involved.”
Dad nodded.
He looked down at me.
“You ready?”
I shook my head.
“No.”
He squeezed my hand.
“Me neither.”
May you like
We walked out of the ruined wedding together.
Behind us, the altar flowers trembled in the cold air.
