Chapter 3: The Secret Behind the Wedding Plans
Daniel found Ethan’s name in every corner of the wedding.
The photographer had been hired by him.
The venue had been recommended by him.
The playlist had been created by him.
Ethan Blake had been Daniel’s best friend since they were twelve.
He was the person Daniel trusted when nobody else was around.
The person who stood beside him when his father lost his job.
The person who told him to propose to Claire.
And now he was missing.
Daniel walked outside the ballroom.
Rain hit the pavement.
His mother followed.
“Daniel.””
He stopped.
For a moment, he was twelve again.
A scared child waiting for his mother to fix something.
“I’m sorry,” Evelyn said.
He turned around.
“For what?””
“For not fighting harder.””
His expression softened.
“Mom, why did you believe those messages?””
She looked down.
“Because they sounded like you.””
That sentence hurt.
“Why?””
“Because they used things only you and I knew.””
Daniel went quiet.
“What things?””
She pulled out her phone.
“I received one message the day after you proposed.””
She showed him.
Mom, I’m happy you’re excited, but please don’t tell people about my childhood. Claire doesn’t like hearing those stories.
Daniel stared.
“I never sent this.””
“I know.””
“She knew about those stories.””
Evelyn nodded.
“Claire asked me questions.””
“What questions?””
“She asked about your childhood. Your fears. Your insecurities.””
Daniel felt uneasy.
“At the time, I thought she cared.””
His mother looked at him.
“She asked me how to make you feel guilty.””
Daniel froze.
“What?””
“She said you were difficult when you felt abandoned.””
The rain fell harder.
Daniel remembered every argument with Claire.
Every time she said:
“You always choose your mother over me.””
Every time she cried after he visited Evelyn.
Every time she made him feel selfish.
His phone buzzed.
Unknown number.
He answered.
“Hello?””
A man’s voice spoke.
“Daniel, don’t trust Claire.””
Daniel stepped back.
“Who is this?””
Silence.
Then:
“You need to see what she did before you married her.””
The call ended.
Daniel stared at the screen.
His mother watched him.
“Who was it?””
He didn’t answer.
Because he already knew.
Only one person knew that voice.
Ethan.
Inside the ballroom, Claire was waiting.
Her makeup was perfect.
Her tears were perfect.
Everything about her looked perfect.
And suddenly Daniel hated that word.
“Where is Ethan?”” he asked.
Claire looked away.
“I don’t know.””
“Try again.””
Her expression changed.
“You think I did this?””
“I think you know more than you’re telling me.””
Claire’s voice became sharper.
“You’re choosing her over me.””
Daniel stared.
There it was.
The same sentence.
The same trap.
Except this time he saw it.
“You’re not upset because I’m choosing my mother.””
Claire went silent.
“You’re upset because I’m finally choosing the truth.””
Her face hardened.
Then her phone buzzed.
She looked down.
A message.
Daniel saw her expression change.
Fear.
Again.
“Who is it?””
She locked the screen.
“Nobody.””
Daniel looked at the phone.
“Claire.””
She didn’t answer.
He reached for it.
She pulled away.
And for the first time in their relationship, Daniel saw her panic.
“What are you hiding?””
May you like
Claire whispered:
“You don’t understand what will happen if you find out.””
