Chapter 4
Raymond walked into the pavilion like a man entering property he already owned.
Tan suit.
Gold watch.
White smile.
Marlene was beside him in a champagne-colored dress.
Claire followed behind them, beautiful in her bridal robe, her hair half-pinned, her face hard when she saw me.
My heart broke quietly.
Raymond looked at Daniel’s boxes.
“What’s this?”
“Receipts,” I said.
Marlene laughed.
“Thomas, don’t embarrass yourself.”
I looked at her.
“Too late for embarrassment. You took scissors to my suit.”
Claire’s face flickered.
“Mom said it was an accident.”
I picked up the torn jacket.
“Then your mother has very talented accidents.”
Raymond stepped forward.
“That suit was a symbol. You needed to understand your place today.”
“My place?”
“In the past.”
I nodded slowly.
“Interesting. Because my name is on the future you tried to steal.”
His smile thinned.
Marlene snapped, “Stop speaking in riddles.”
Daniel placed the mortgage forms on the table.
“Monday’s appointment is canceled.”
Marlene went white.
Raymond did not.
Not immediately.
“You have no authority over Marlene’s share,” he said.
Daniel smiled without warmth.
“There is no Marlene share in trust property.”
Claire frowned.
“What does that mean?”
“It means,” I said, “the house, workshop, savings reserve, and this pavilion cannot be transferred without my approval.”
Claire looked at Raymond.
He said quickly, “He’s twisting things.”
Daniel opened another folder.
“Then I’ll untwist them.”
He placed the bank records in front of Claire.
Her eyes moved over the pages.
At first, she looked annoyed.
Then confused.
Then frightened.
“What is this?”
“Money moved into Raymond’s accounts,” I said. “Some with your signature.”
“I signed the venue reimbursements.”
“Yes.”
Daniel pointed.
“You did not sign these.”
Claire stared.
Marlene grabbed the papers.
“Enough.”
Daniel took them back.
Raymond’s voice hardened.
“You are ruining your daughter’s wedding over money.”
I stepped closer.
“No. You were using my daughter’s wedding to steal everything I built.”
Claire whispered, “Raymond?”
He turned to her smoothly.
“Sweetheart, your father is desperate. He knows he’s losing you.”
I looked at my daughter.
“No, Claire. I lost you when you believed a man who left over the man who stayed.”
May you like
Her eyes filled.
But she still did not come to me.
