My Son Chose His Bride Over His Mother—So I Revealed the Secret That Could Destroy Their Wedding

“Don't answer him,” Patricia whispered.

It was barely audible.

But I heard it.

So did Detective Hayes.

He turned toward her.

“Ma'am, I haven't asked you anything yet.””

Patricia released Vanessa's wrist.

“I was only telling my daughter not to panic.””

Hayes nodded calmly.

“Then she shouldn't have any difficulty answering a few questions.””

Vanessa looked at Daniel.

“Please, baby. Tell them this is ridiculous.””

Daniel didn't respond.

For the first time since I had known her, Vanessa seemed unable to control the room.

Her wedding dress suddenly looked less like a symbol of happiness and more like an expensive costume.

Detective Hayes took a folded sheet from his notebook.

“Ms. Whitmore, are you familiar with an account opened under the name Vanessa Elizabeth Carter?””

Daniel frowned.

“Carter?””

Hayes looked at him.

“Yes. The account was opened approximately five weeks ago.””

Daniel turned toward Vanessa.

“Why would you use my last name before we were married?””

Vanessa's lips parted.

“I was planning ahead.””

“Planning what?””

She glanced at her mother.

Patricia shook her head almost imperceptibly.

Hayes continued.

“The account received three transfers totaling one hundred and eighty thousand dollars.””

I felt Elaine's fingers tighten around mine.

“One hundred and eighty thousand?”” I repeated.

“Yes, sir.””

“From where?””

Hayes looked down at his notes.

“The transfers originated from two separate sources. One was an investment account belonging to Gregory Mills. The other was connected to a property company registered under Patricia Whitmore.””

Patricia immediately raised her voice.

“That is confidential financial information!””

Hayes remained calm.

“Not when it's relevant to an active investigation.””

Daniel looked as if the ground had disappeared beneath him.

“Vanessa, what is he talking about?””

She began crying.

Real tears now.

Or convincing ones.

“Daniel, I can explain.””

“You've said that three times.””

“Your father has been trying to turn you against me from the beginning.””

I shook my head.

“Don't bring me into this. Answer your future husband.””

She turned toward me with sudden hatred.

“You never wanted me in this family!””

I looked at Elaine's muddy dress.

“You had an opportunity to become part of this family. You chose to push my wife into the ground instead.””

Vanessa's mouth tightened.

Then she did something I hadn't expected.

She turned toward the guests.

“Everyone, please. I know this looks terrible, but Arthur has always controlled Daniel's life. He uses money to make people obey him. He threatened to withdraw the wedding funding because he doesn't like me.””

A few guests exchanged uncomfortable looks.

She continued.

“He's trying to destroy my marriage before it even begins.””

Daniel looked at me.

For a moment, I saw the little boy who used to stand behind my legs whenever strangers frightened him.

Then I saw the grown man who had allowed his mother to lie in the mud.

I waited.

I wanted him to ask one question.

Just one.

Instead, he said, “Dad, maybe we should stop this conversation.””

Detective Hayes closed his notebook.

“Mr. Carter, I understand your concerns. But I need to clarify something. This investigation didn't begin because of a family disagreement.””

He turned toward Vanessa.

“It began when a bank reported suspected identity fraud. The attempted transfer was made using documents that appear to have been altered.””

Vanessa wiped her cheeks.

“I never forged anything.””

Hayes nodded.

“That's something we'll establish through the investigation.””

He then turned toward Patricia.

“We'd also like to speak with you about the consulting company.””

Patricia shook her head.

“My lawyer will handle everything.””

“That's your right.””

For several seconds, nobody spoke.

Then Elaine quietly asked, “Detective, may I ask you something?””

“Of course, ma'am.””

“Was the money ever transferred?””

Hayes looked at her.

“Not from your trust account. The bank stopped that transaction.””

Elaine released a breath.

“Thank God.””

I put my arm around her.

But Hayes wasn't finished.

“However, the money in the second account is still being investigated. We believe some of it may have come from another source.””

He opened a small evidence envelope.

Inside was a photograph of a bank transfer confirmation.

I recognized the account immediately.

It belonged to Daniel.

My son stepped closer.

“That's impossible.””

Hayes looked at him.

“Mr. Carter, do you recognize this account?””

Daniel nodded slowly.

“It's my personal savings account.””

“How much money was in it?””

Daniel swallowed.

“About sixty thousand dollars.””

Hayes placed the confirmation on the table.

“Sixty thousand dollars was transferred from your account to Ms. Whitmore's new account five weeks ago.””

Daniel stared at the paper.

Then he looked at Vanessa.

“Did you take my money?””

She shook her head rapidly.

“No. You gave it to me.””

“I never transferred sixty thousand dollars.””

“You said we needed to combine our savings.””

“I said we'd discuss opening a joint account after the wedding!””

Vanessa's expression hardened.

“Daniel, don't embarrass me.””

He took a step backward.

“You used my money?””

“I was protecting our future!””

“With what?””

She didn't answer.

Patricia moved toward her daughter.

“Vanessa, we're leaving.””

Hayes raised one hand.

“Ms. Whitmore, I haven't asked you to stay, but I would appreciate it if you didn't remove any documents or electronic devices from the property until we've completed our initial questions.””

Vanessa looked furious.

“You can't do this to me on my wedding day.””

Hayes spoke evenly.

“Your wedding day doesn't change the law.””

Daniel turned away.

He walked toward a nearby table and gripped its edge.

I had never seen him look so lost.

Then he noticed something on the photograph.

A handwritten note beneath the transfer confirmation.

He picked it up.

His face changed.

“Dad?””