Chapter 4 - The Last Chance
Daniel sat alone in his office until sunrise.
On his desk were photographs from the engagement party. In each one, Vanessa appeared radiant. She leaned against him, smiled at his mother, and rested one hand over his heart.
He wanted those photographs to be real.
He wanted Rebecca to be wrong.
By morning, she had gathered enough evidence to recommend postponing the wedding. The forged transfer had not yet been filed, but drafts had been exchanged between Charles’s accountant and a private attorney.
There were also invoices from false vendors, internal messages discussing company data, and a recorded call obtained legally through the company’s security system.
Daniel refused to listen to the recording.
“Not yet,” he said.
Rebecca folded her arms.
“What are you waiting for?”
“I need to know whether Vanessa was part of it or whether her father used her name.”
“Her login accessed the vault.”
“She could have left her computer open.”
“She sent him photographs of the documents.”
Daniel closed his eyes.
Rebecca softened her voice.
“You’re not protecting her anymore. You’re protecting the version of her you wanted to marry.”
Daniel looked toward the city skyline.
The wedding was three days away. Guests had flown in from across the country. The venue had been prepared. Eleanor had spent weeks helping with small details, even after Vanessa rejected nearly every suggestion she made.
Daniel made a decision that Rebecca hated.
He would not cancel immediately.
Instead, he asked Rebecca to finish verifying every file. He removed Vanessa’s access to the company without notifying her and placed legal safeguards around his shares.
Then he planned to speak to Vanessa privately before the ceremony.
“If she tells me the truth,” Daniel said, “I’ll hear her out.”
“And if she lies?”
“Release everything.”
Rebecca studied him.
“You’re giving her one final chance.”
“No,” Daniel replied. “I’m giving myself one final chance to see her clearly.”
That evening, Daniel visited Eleanor.
She was adjusting the sleeves of her royal-blue wedding dress when he arrived. When she saw his expression, she immediately stopped.
“What happened?”
Daniel almost told her everything.
Instead, he asked, “Do you think people can love you and still use you?”
Eleanor took his hand.
“People can say they love you while loving what you provide. That is not the same thing.”
Daniel looked down.
May you like
His mother touched his cheek.
“Whatever truth you’re avoiding, it will not become kinder by waiting.”
