Chapter 7: The Wedding Rehearsal from Hell
At 8:15 the following morning, Marcus received a call that made him question everything he had planned.
"Mr. Reed, this is Detective Harris. We need to speak with you immediately.""
Marcus stood beside the bedroom window, watching the wedding staff unload flowers outside.
"About Elena?""
"Yes. We've reviewed the evidence you provided. There's enough to reopen the investigation into her death.""
Marcus closed his eyes.
"Then arrest Victoria.""
"We can't do that yet.""
"Why not?""
"Because the evidence connects her to the vehicle, but we need to establish exactly what happened. We also need to locate your former family attorney, Jonathan Pierce.""
Marcus looked toward the bathroom. Victoria was getting ready.
"He's supposed to attend the wedding.""
"Then don't confront him until we have a chance to speak with him.""
Marcus lowered his voice.
"Detective, someone has filed an emergency guardianship petition for my daughter. I believe they're planning to take her.""
"We're aware. Our legal team is working with the court. Do not let your daughter leave your supervision.""
Marcus looked at the wedding schedule on his desk.
"Understood.""
After ending the call, he noticed something on the dressing table.
Victoria's phone.
The screen lit up.
A message appeared.
*Richard: The girl must be gone before the ceremony. Jonathan has the papers. Don't let Marcus interfere.*
Marcus photographed the notification.
Then he heard the bathroom door open.
He stepped away from the dressing table.
Victoria emerged wearing a white silk robe.
"Who were you talking to?""
"Daniel.""
"Again?""
"Wedding arrangements.""
She walked toward him and kissed his cheek.
"You're going to give yourself a heart attack before you even say your vows.""
Marcus smiled.
"Wouldn't want that.""
Victoria returned to the dressing table and picked up her phone.
Her expression changed when she saw the screen.
For a fraction of a second, she looked directly at Marcus.
Then she smiled.
"Everything okay?""
"Perfect.""
But neither of them believed the other.
The wedding rehearsal began at four o'clock.
The estate was filled with relatives, friends, business associates, and wedding staff.
Marcus stood near the rose-covered arch while the coordinator explained the ceremony.
"Mr. Reed, you'll stand here. Victoria will enter from the east entrance. The bridesmaids will follow, and then we'll have the music change for the vows.""
Marcus nodded.
"Understood.""
Victoria approached in a pale blue dress.
She looked beautiful.
That was the cruelest part.
For three years, Marcus had believed he had found someone who could help him build a new life.
He had introduced her to his daughter.
Trusted her with his home.
Shared his memories with her.
And somewhere along the way, she had turned that trust into a weapon.
"Marcus?""
He looked at her.
"Yes?""
"You're staring.""
"Just thinking.""
She straightened his collar.
"Tomorrow will be perfect.""
He looked at her hand.
"Let's hope so.""
Across the garden, Maya sat beside Aunt Claire.
She was wearing a simple lavender dress.
Claire brushed a strand of hair away from her face.
"Are you nervous?""
Maya nodded.
"A little.""
"Your father loves you more than anything.""
"I know.""
Claire squeezed her hand.
"Then whatever happens tomorrow, remember that.""
Maya looked toward Marcus.
He was speaking to the coordinator.
Then her gaze shifted to Victoria.
The bride was laughing with two women near the fountain.
Maya leaned closer to Claire.
"Aunt Claire?""
"Yes, sweetheart?""
"Did Mom ever tell you why she chose the rose garden?""
Claire smiled sadly.
"She said roses were beautiful because they could survive difficult weather.""
Maya looked down.
"She also said they had thorns.""
Claire nodded.
"That's right.""
Maya touched the silver ring on her finger.
"Maybe she knew we'd need them.""
Claire's expression changed.
Before she could answer, a man approached.
Jonathan Pierce.
He wore a charcoal suit and carried a leather briefcase.
"Maya, there you are.""
Maya immediately moved closer to Claire.
Jonathan smiled.
"How's my favorite young lady?""
"Fine.""
He crouched.
"I brought something for you.""
He opened his briefcase and removed a small envelope.
Maya didn't take it.
"What is it?""
"Just some paperwork. Your father needs you to sign something.""
Claire stood.
"She isn't signing anything.""
Jonathan looked surprised.
"Claire, this is a family matter.""
"Then speak to Marcus.""
"I have.""
"Then you don't need Maya.""
Jonathan's smile disappeared.
He straightened.
"You're making this unnecessarily difficult.""
Claire stepped between him and the girl.
"Walk away, Jonathan.""
He looked at Maya one final time.
"Your father will explain everything soon.""
Then he left.
Maya watched him disappear.
"Aunt Claire?""
"Yes?""
"Why does everyone want me to sign things?""
Claire hugged her.
"Because some people think children won't understand when adults are trying to take advantage of them.""
Maya looked at the envelope Jonathan had left behind.
Claire picked it up.
The front contained a printed label.
*TEMPORARY GUARDIANSHIP CONSENT — MAYA REED.*
Claire's hands began shaking.
At six o'clock, Marcus met Detective Harris in a private room behind the estate's administrative office.
The detective placed several documents on the table.
"We've reviewed the guardianship petition.""
"And?""
"It's fraudulent.""
Marcus exhaled.
"Can we stop it?""
"We've obtained an emergency order preventing any change to your daughter's custody while the investigation continues.""
Marcus nodded.
"What about Victoria?""
"Her brother is under investigation for financial fraud and possible conspiracy. We're also examining evidence relating to your wife's accident.""
"Will she be arrested?""
"Not yet.""
Marcus rubbed his forehead.
"How much longer?""
"That depends on whether we can get a confession or find the missing original recording.""
Marcus looked up.
"The original?""
"Your wife's attorney mentioned another recording.""
"Where is it?""
"We don't know.""
Detective Harris leaned forward.
"But we have a witness who claims Victoria made a statement about the accident.""
"Who?""
"Someone who worked at the Hayes family office.""
Marcus felt his pulse quicken.
"Can I speak to them?""
"Not yet. We're bringing them in tonight.""
The detective gathered his papers.
"One more thing. Do you still intend to go ahead with the wedding?""
Marcus looked at him.
"Yes.""
"You're certain?""
"Victoria believes she has won. I want her to keep believing that.""
Harris studied him.
"Don't take unnecessary risks.""
Marcus nodded.
"I won't.""
At 8:30 p.m., the rehearsal dinner began.
Victoria sat at the center of the long dining table.
She raised her glass.
"To new beginnings.""
Everyone applauded.
Marcus lifted his glass but didn't drink.
Victoria turned toward him.
"Would you like to say something?""
He stood.
"Tomorrow is an important day. I want to thank everyone for being here.""
He looked around the table.
"Some people in this room have known me for years. Others have only recently become part of my life. But tomorrow, I hope we all remember that family isn't about appearances. It's about honesty, trust, and protecting the people who depend on us.""
Victoria's smile stiffened.
A few guests nodded.
Marcus continued.
"And sometimes, the truth is difficult. But it's always better than a beautiful lie.""
Silence.
Victoria put down her fork.
"That's lovely, darling.""
She smiled at the guests.
"He's been emotional lately.""
Everyone laughed politely.
Marcus sat.
Victoria leaned close.
"What are you doing?""
"Eating dinner.""
"Don't play games with me.""
He looked at her.
"Then don't ask questions you don't want answered.""
She stared at him.
For several seconds, neither spoke.
Then Victoria picked up her wineglass and smiled for the guests.
Later that night, Marcus found Maya in the bridal suite.
She was holding the silver ring.
"Can't sleep?""
She shook her head.
"Are you really going to marry Victoria tomorrow?""
Marcus sat beside her.
"Why do you ask?""
"Because I heard Aunt Claire talking to someone.""
"What did she say?""
"She said the police might come.""
Marcus took a breath.
"Sweetheart, there are some things I need to handle tomorrow.""
"Will Victoria be there?""
He nodded.
"Yes.""
Maya looked down.
"Will you still give me the ring?""
Marcus gently took her hands.
"I promised your mother. And I promised you.""
"Even if the wedding doesn't happen?""
"Especially then.""
Maya began crying.
Marcus pulled her close.
"I need you to trust me.""
"I do.""
"Tomorrow, if I ask you to stand beside me, will you?""
She nodded.
"Yes.""
He kissed her forehead.
Then he placed the silver ring back on her finger.
"Your mother wanted you to have this when you turned twelve. It was never meant to belong to anyone else.""
Maya looked at it.
"Why did she write that it was a key?""
Marcus smiled sadly.
"I think tomorrow we'll finally understand.""
At 11:47 p.m., Marcus received a call from Detective Harris.
"We found the witness.""
"Who?""
"Victoria's former personal assistant.""
"What's her name?""
"Olivia Bennett.""
"Where is she?""
"At the station.""
Marcus stood.
"Did she tell you anything?""
The detective paused.
"She claims Victoria kept a recording of a conversation with Elena.""
Marcus gripped his phone.
"Where?""
"According to Olivia, Victoria hid it inside a locked safe at the estate.""
Marcus looked toward the hallway.
Victoria's suite was at the far end.
"What else did she say?""
Harris lowered his voice.
"She says Victoria admitted that Elena was supposed to die that night.""
Marcus stopped breathing.
"She said what?""
But before the detective could explain, another voice came through the phone.
A woman's voice.
Victoria.
"Marcus, darling?""
He turned.
She was standing in the doorway.
Wearing her wedding robe.
Holding his phone.
May you like
And smiling.
"Who are you talking to?""
