Chapter 7 - The Bride Changes Sides
Celeste did not leave the hospital with Dominic.
She stayed in the hallway with Agent Ortiz and answered questions for almost three hours.
Dominic’s attorneys arrived before he did. They attempted to separate Celeste from investigators, claiming they represented both newlyweds.
Celeste refused their help.
“I need an independent lawyer,” she said.
The sentence ended Dominic’s last chance to control her.
Through her own attorney, Celeste gave investigators access to emails, company documents, and financial accounts connected to her name.
She discovered that Dominic had asked her assistants to send electronic signatures on documents described as routine charity approvals. Those signatures had been attached to transfers Celeste had never reviewed.
Her family foundation had unknowingly received money from properties acquired through fraud.
The truth humiliated her, but she did not hide from it.
At midnight, she returned to Evelyn’s hospital room.
She had changed out of her wedding gown and wore a simple coat over borrowed clothes. Her eyes were swollen from crying.
Naomi remained beside the window.
Celeste stopped several feet from the bed.
“I am not asking you to forgive me.”
Evelyn watched her carefully.
“Did you know about Rose?”
“No.”
“Did you know about the companies?”
“No. But I should have asked more questions.”
Celeste looked at the sleeping baby.
“Dominic believed my family name would protect him. He believed I would stay quiet to avoid embarrassment.”
“Will you?”
Celeste placed a small digital recorder on the table.
“In the car, he called someone and ordered them to destroy a second set of books. I recorded the conversation after I saw the paternity form.”
Naomi picked up the device.
“Do you understand what this could mean?”
“Yes.”
Celeste glanced at the hospital band still fastened around Evelyn’s wrist.
“My wedding ended before the reception. I would rather lose one day than spend my life defending a lie.”
Evelyn did not offer friendship.
May you like
But she nodded once.
For that night, it was enough.
