Chapter 16 - The Ceremony
The ballroom at Hale Manor had never looked more beautiful.
White roses covered the staircase.
Thousands of candles reflected against crystal chandeliers.
Two hundred and seventeen guests filled the room.
Vanessa walked down the aisle wearing a silk gown worth more than most houses.
She looked radiant.
She looked innocent.
Julian stood beside the officiant.
Richard Vale sat in the front row.
Dr. Mercer sat six seats behind him.
Claire stood near the altar.
Martha was not present.
At least that was what Vanessa believed.
Julian watched Vanessa approach.
He remembered the pool.
The smile.
The whisper.
After the wedding, you won’t be alive long enough to complain.
Vanessa reached him.
The officiant began.
Julian barely heard the words.
Behind the ballroom walls, federal investigators were listening.
Marcus had turned the library into a monitoring station.
Emily Shore was there.
So was a detective from the financial crimes division.
Julian had spent nine days building the trap.
Now all they needed was confession.
The vows began.
Vanessa spoke first.
“I promise to stand beside you through every season of life.”
Julian almost laughed.
Then it was his turn.
“I promise that before this day ends, there will be no secrets between us.”
Vanessa smiled.
She did not understand.
The officiant continued.
“If anyone has lawful reason why these two should not be joined—”
The ballroom doors opened.
Every head turned.
Martha Hale entered.
She wore a dark blue dress.
She walked with a cane.
Vanessa’s face changed.
Only for a second.
Then she smiled.
Martha moved slowly down the aisle.
Richard stood.
“What is this?”
Julian looked at him.
“Sit down.”
Richard froze.
Martha reached the front.
Vanessa whispered.
“You shouldn’t be here.”
Martha looked directly at her.
“Neither should you.”
The guests murmured.
Julian turned toward the officiant.
“We’ll take a short recess.”
Vanessa grabbed his arm.
“What are you doing?”
Julian leaned toward her.
“The same thing you did beside the pool.”
She stared at him.
“Watching.”
Her face went pale.
May you like
Julian continued.
“I’m watching you realize you’ve lost.”
