Chapter 2: The Recording
Vanessa’s fingers closed around Maya’s wrist.
“Give me the phone!””
Maya twisted free.
“No.””
“You’re destroying my life!””
“You started that yourself.””
Vanessa shoved forward again.
Marcus caught her around the waist.
“Enough!””
“Let me go!””
“Vanessa, calm down!””
“Tell her to delete it!””
Marcus stared at his bride.
“Why?””
Vanessa went still.
Marcus’s voice dropped.
“Why are you so scared of that recording?””
She looked at him.
For the first time that evening, Vanessa had no answer ready.
Behind them, the wedding cake stood untouched beneath the crystal chandeliers. White roses wrapped around each tier. Tiny silver pearls glittered along the frosting.
Everything looked perfect.
Except for the people standing beneath it.
Maya stepped forward.
“I didn’t come here to embarrass you.””
Vanessa laughed through her tears.
“You’re holding a recording of me at my wedding!””
“I came here because I thought he deserved to know before he signed anything.””
Marcus frowned.
“Signed what?””
Vanessa’s head snapped toward Maya.
“Stop talking.””
Maya ignored her.
“Marcus, did Vanessa ask you to sign the prenuptial agreement again this morning?””
Marcus hesitated.
“Yes.””
Vanessa closed her eyes.
Maya nodded.
“And did she tell you her attorney needed it signed before the ceremony?””
“Yes.””
Vanessa whispered, “Maya…”
Marcus looked at her.
“You know her name?””
Vanessa’s eyes opened.
Maya said nothing.
Marcus looked between them.
“You two know each other?””
“No,” Vanessa said quickly.
“Yes,” Maya said at the same time.
The guests began whispering again.
Marcus rubbed his jaw.
“Okay. Somebody tell me what’s happening.””
Maya unlocked her phone.
“Three nights ago, I was working the private lounge upstairs.””
Vanessa stepped forward.
“We’re not doing this here.””
“You left your phone on a table.””
Vanessa’s face hardened.
“I came back for it.””
“And you didn’t know I was standing behind the service door.””
Marcus looked at Maya.
“What did you hear?””
Maya glanced at Vanessa.
“Enough.””
Vanessa’s voice became smaller.
“Maya, please.””
That word changed everything.
Marcus looked sharply at his bride.
Vanessa had spent the last ten minutes screaming.
Now she was begging.
Maya raised the phone.
“I recorded what I heard because I knew nobody would believe me.””
Marcus nodded slowly.
“Play it.””
Vanessa shook her head.
“Marcus, don't.””
“Play it.””
Maya pressed the screen.
Vanessa’s voice emerged again.
“I only need the wedding to happen.””
Then the man’s voice:
“And after?””
Vanessa answered:
“After, the money moves.””
Marcus’s face tightened.
“How much money?””
The recording continued.
“Enough to disappear.””
A guest gasped.
Vanessa covered her mouth.
Marcus looked at her.
“Disappear?””
“I was angry.””
“That doesn’t sound angry.””
“It was a conversation taken out of context.””
Maya stopped the recording.
Marcus turned toward her.
“What context?””
Maya didn’t answer immediately.
Instead, she looked toward the ballroom doors.
Then back at him.
“There’s something else.””
Vanessa suddenly moved.
She grabbed the nearest champagne glass from a table and threw it at the floor.
The crash made everyone jump.
“Stop!””
Marcus stared at her.
“What are you doing?””
Vanessa was crying harder now.
“I’m trying to protect you!””
“From what?””
She looked at Maya.
“From her.””
Maya’s expression remained calm.
“You still don’t understand.””
“Understand what?””
Maya lifted the phone.
“The man in that recording isn’t the only thing you need to worry about.””
Marcus stepped closer.
“Who is he?””
Maya hesitated.
Vanessa whispered, “Marcus…”
He turned toward her.
“Who is he?””
Vanessa’s lips trembled.
“I can explain.””
“That’s what you said about the money.””
“I can explain everything.””
“Then explain.””
Vanessa stared at him.
The ballroom waited.
Finally, she whispered:
“He was supposed to be here tonight.””
Marcus’s face changed.
“What?””
Maya looked down at her phone.
A new notification appeared.
One message.
From an unknown number.
*HE KNOWS.*
Maya’s eyes widened.
Marcus noticed.
“What does that say?””
Maya slowly turned the screen toward him.
Vanessa saw it.
And suddenly stopped crying.
Because she knew exactly who had sent it.
Then the ballroom doors opened.
May you like
And Vanessa whispered one name.
“Derek.””
