Chapter 1 - Six Hours Before the Wedding)
At eleven that morning, Daniel believed the greatest problem he would face that day was convincing his daughter to attend his wedding.
The Grand Marlowe Hotel occupied an entire block overlooking the river, its pale stone exterior rising twenty floors above downtown. Daniel could have chosen almost any venue in the country, but Rebecca had fallen in love with the hotel the first time they visited.
She had called it timeless.
Daniel had called it expensive.
Rebecca had kissed his cheek and reminded him that he owned three companies and had spent most of his adult life refusing to enjoy the money they produced.
So he had agreed.
The ballroom alone had cost more than some houses.
By eleven fifteen, florists were still arranging white roses around the grand staircase. Hotel employees moved champagne behind the reception bar. Musicians tested microphones.
Daniel stood near the ballroom entrance while a photographer adjusted his collar.
“You look terrified,” a voice said behind him.
Daniel turned.
His longtime friend Thomas Mercer approached with two cups of coffee.
Thomas was sixty-two and had known Daniel since college. They had built their first property management company together before Thomas sold his shares nearly twenty years earlier.
Daniel accepted the coffee.
“I’m not terrified.”
“You’re marrying a woman while your daughter refuses to answer your calls.”
“That doesn’t make me terrified.”
Thomas gave him a knowing look.
“It should.”
Daniel stared toward the elevator bank.
Emily had promised to arrive at ten.
She had not.
She had also failed to answer five calls.
Rebecca claimed there had been another argument between them the previous evening.
Daniel knew the two women disliked each other, but neither had told him exactly what the argument concerned.
Rebecca had described it as Emily being emotional.
Emily had texted him only three words.
We need to talk.
That message had arrived at 9:43 the night before.
Daniel had been at the hotel having dinner with relatives. He called immediately.
Emily did not answer.
At ten twelve, Rebecca returned to the hotel looking shaken and said Emily had told her she was not coming to the wedding.
Daniel had driven home.
Emily was gone.
Her car was gone too.
Nothing looked disturbed.
Rebecca insisted Daniel give his daughter space.
He had reluctantly agreed.
Now, less than six hours before the ceremony, he was regretting it.
Thomas drank his coffee.
“Call her again.”
Daniel already had his phone out.
The call rang six times before voicemail answered.
He ended it.
“I don’t understand her.”
Thomas glanced around before lowering his voice.
“Maybe you should.”
Daniel looked at him.
“What is that supposed to mean?”
“It means Emily hasn’t disliked any woman you dated since Catherine died. She disliked Rebecca almost immediately.”
“Emily is protective.”
“Exactly.”
Daniel’s expression hardened.
“I’m not discussing this today.”
Thomas raised both hands.
“Then don’t.”
Daniel started toward the elevators.
“Where are you going?”
“To Rebecca’s suite.”
Thomas followed.
“For what?”
“To ask exactly what happened last night.”
The bridal suite occupied the nineteenth floor.
When Daniel arrived, the door was open.
Bridesmaids moved through the living area carrying garment bags and champagne glasses.
Rebecca sat near the windows in a white silk robe while a stylist worked on her brunette hair.
When she saw Daniel, she smiled.
“You’re not supposed to see me.”
“I’m not superstitious.”
“You are when it comes to quarterly earnings.”
“That isn’t superstition. That’s experience.”
Several women laughed.
Rebecca studied his face.
“What’s wrong?”
“Emily still isn’t answering.”
Her smile faded.
“Daniel.”
“What happened last night?”
“I told you.”
“Tell me again.”
Rebecca dismissed the stylist with a glance.
The bridesmaids gradually moved into the adjoining room.
When they were alone, Rebecca reached for Daniel’s hands.
“Emily came to the house because she wanted to talk about the family trust.”
“What about it?”
“She thinks marrying me will somehow take something away from Noah.”
Daniel frowned.
“That trust cannot be changed without Emily’s consent.”
“I know.”
“Then why would she be worried?”
Rebecca hesitated just long enough for Daniel to notice.
“She’s frightened.”
“Of you?”
“Of change.”
Daniel pulled his hands away.
“Did you fight?”
“We argued.”
“Did you touch her?”
Rebecca’s eyes widened.
“Of course not.”
Daniel watched her.
A year earlier, that answer would have ended the conversation.
That morning, he could not explain why it did not.
Rebecca stepped closer.
“Daniel, your daughter lost her husband. She is raising a little boy alone. Then you lost Catherine. Emily has spent years feeling responsible for everybody.”
“My wife died four years ago.”
“I know.”
“And Emily’s husband died two years ago.”
“I know that too.”
“She isn’t fragile.”
“I didn’t say she was.”
“You keep calling her emotional.”
Rebecca sighed.
“You want me to say I was wrong?”
“I want you to tell me what happened.”
“I told her I loved you. She accused me of wanting your money. I told her she was being cruel. She left.”
“Where?”
“I don’t know.”
Daniel looked toward the window.
Rebecca touched his arm.
“Please don’t let this destroy today.”
Daniel faced her again.
“If Emily doesn’t come, today is already damaged.”
Pain flashed across Rebecca’s expression.
“What do you want me to do?”
“Nothing.”
He stepped toward the door.
“Daniel.”
He stopped.
Rebecca lowered her voice.
“She said something else.”
“What?”
“She said she had proof.”
“Proof of what?”
“That I was manipulating you.”
Daniel waited.
Rebecca gave a sad smile.
“She wouldn’t show me.”
Daniel left the suite without answering.
In the elevator, his phone rang.
For one hopeful second, he thought it was Emily.
Instead, the screen showed a number from the hotel lobby.
“Daniel Arden.”
A woman spoke quickly.
“Mr. Arden, this is guest services. There’s a little boy downstairs asking for you.”
Daniel stopped breathing.
“What little boy?”
“He says his name is Noah.”
May you like
The elevator doors opened.
Daniel ran.
