Chapter 6: The Conversation Before The Vows
The video was shaky.
The camera angle was distant, probably recorded by someone standing near the side entrance of the church.
But the voices were clear.
Stephanie stood alone near the hallway outside the bridal room.
She wasn’t crying.
She wasn’t nervous.
She was smiling.
Then Daniel Mercer appeared.
My heart stopped.
“Are you sure this is ready?”” Stephanie asked.
Daniel looked around.
“No one suspects anything.””
“Good.””
She adjusted her wedding dress.
“After today, Charles will finally have a reason to separate himself from his mother.””
I felt my stomach twist.
My mother sat beside me watching silently.
The video continued.
Daniel said, “The documents will be finalized within two weeks.””
Stephanie smiled.
“And Willowbrook?””
“Richard’s company will begin development once the transfer is complete.””
She laughed softly.
“Perfect.””
My hands curled into fists.
Then Stephanie said something that made the room feel colder.
“Charles always thinks he’s saving people.””
Daniel smiled.
“He gets that from his father.””
“And that’s why he’s easy to control.””
I paused the video.
Neither of us spoke.
My mother looked away.
I knew she was trying not to cry.
I restarted it.
Stephanie continued.
“The only problem is Margaret.””
Daniel nodded.
“She won’t sign willingly.””
“Then we make sure she can’t refuse.””
The video ended.
For several seconds, there was only silence.
Then my mother whispered:
“She hated me before she even met me.””
I looked at her.
“No, Mom.””
She wiped her eyes.
“She never saw me as a person.””
I wanted to tell her everything would be okay.
But I didn’t know if that was true.
Because these people weren’t just trying to take land.
They had tried to take our dignity.
Our trust.
Our family’s history.
My phone rang.
Emma.
I answered.
“Charles.””
“Did you watch it?””
“Yes.””
She exhaled.
“I’m sorry.””
“Why are you helping me?””
There was a long pause.
“Because I heard my father laughing about your wedding.””
I said nothing.
Emma continued.
“He said the ceremony was perfect because everyone would remember the insult, not the plan behind it.””
I closed my eyes.
The humiliation wasn’t an accident.
It was a distraction.
Stephanie had destroyed the wedding intentionally.
She wanted everyone focused on her cruelty while she moved behind the scenes.
“What else do you know?”” I asked.
Emma lowered her voice.
“There’s a meeting tomorrow.””
“Where?””
“At Richard Vale’s office.””
“Who will be there?””
“My father. Stephanie. Daniel.””
“And what are they discussing?””
Emma hesitated.
Then she answered.
“The final transfer.””
I looked at the clock.
“We have to stop them.””
“There’s something else.””
“What?””
“They know I copied the files.””
My body went still.
“How?””
“Because someone broke into my apartment tonight.””
My grip tightened.
“Are you safe?””
“For now.””
“Emma, leave.””
“I can’t.””
“Why?””
“Because I found something.””
“What?””
Her voice became barely a whisper.
“A document with your name on it.””
I felt a cold wave move through me.
“What kind of document?””
“I don’t know.””
“Emma.””
“It’s a document from before you and Stephanie met.””
The line went quiet.
Then she said:
“Charles, I think Stephanie didn’t choose you because of the farm.””
I waited.
“She chose you because your father left something behind.””
The call ended.
I looked at the documents spread across the table.
My father’s warning.
The fake signatures.
The secret agreement.
There was one question I couldn’t escape.
What did my father know that everyone else was desperate to hide?
May you like
The next morning, I would find out.
And when I did, someone’s entire plan would begin to collapse.
