Chapter 4: The Hidden Recording
Daniel stared at the notification.
*SECURITY CAMERA — ADDITIONAL RECORDING AVAILABLE.*
His thumb hovered above it.
Jessica stood frozen beside the cream sofa, one hand pressed against her chest.
“Daniel,” she whispered.
He didn't answer.
Gloria looked at the tablet.
“What does it mean?””
Daniel tapped the notification.
A second video opened.
The timestamp was from forty-three minutes earlier.
Jessica's face appeared on the screen.
But this time, she wasn't alone.
A bridesmaid stood beside her.
Tasha.
Daniel's eyes narrowed.
Jessica immediately stepped forward.
“Don't play that.””
Daniel looked up.
“Why?””
“Because it's private.””
“You just said the camera wasn't working.””
Jessica swallowed.
“I was wrong.””
Daniel pressed play.
On the screen, Jessica leaned toward Tasha.
Her voice was clear.
“If Gloria tries to stop the wedding, I need you to keep Daniel away from her.””
Tasha's eyes widened.
“I don't understand.””
“You don't have to understand.””
“What are you planning?””
Jessica glanced toward the dressing-room door.
“I'm going to make sure he sees her differently.””
Present-day Tasha covered her mouth.
“No.””
Daniel looked at her.
“Tasha?””
“I didn't know.””
On the recording, Jessica continued.
“She thinks Daniel will always choose her.””
Tasha shook her head on the screen.
“Jessica, that's his mother.””
“And I'm his wife.””
“You're not married yet.””
Jessica smiled.
“Exactly.””
The recording paused briefly as the camera feed buffered.
Jessica stepped toward the tablet.
“Turn it off.””
Daniel moved it away.
“Why?””
“Because you're humiliating me.””
“You humiliated yourself.””
Her face tightened.
“Daniel, please.””
He resumed the video.
On-screen Jessica lowered her voice.
“If Gloria walks in while I'm crying, Daniel won't ask questions.””
Tasha stared at her.
“You're going to fake an attack?””
“I never said that.””
“You just did.””
Jessica leaned closer.
“I said I need him to protect me.””
The recording ended.
Nobody breathed.
Tasha looked at Daniel.
“I swear I didn't know she'd actually hurt herself.””
Daniel's jaw flexed.
“But you knew she planned something.””
“I knew she wanted you to believe she was scared. I didn't know she was going to accuse your mom.””
Jessica turned toward Tasha.
“You promised me you wouldn't tell.””
Tasha recoiled.
“I promised nothing.””
“You did.””
“No. I said I wouldn't get involved.””
“You were involved the moment you listened.””
Daniel stepped between them.
“Enough.””
Jessica looked at him.
“Daniel, please don't let this destroy us.””
He laughed once.
There was no humor in it.
“Us?””
She stared at him.
“Our wedding is in less than an hour.””
“I know.””
“Your family is outside.””
“I know.””
“And you're standing here treating me like I'm some monster.””
Daniel pointed toward the tablet.
“I didn't make that video.””
Jessica's eyes filled.
“I made a mistake.””
“You made a plan.””
“I was scared.””
“You calculated.””
“I love you.””
“You manipulated me.””
Jessica's tears finally spilled.
“Because I knew you wouldn't listen to me otherwise!””
Daniel went silent.
Gloria watched her carefully.
“Listen to what?””
Jessica looked at her.
Then away.
Daniel stepped closer.
“What were you trying to tell me?””
Jessica wiped her cheeks.
“Nothing.””
“Jessica.””
“I said nothing.””
“You just admitted you were trying to make me choose.””
Her breathing became shallow.
“I wanted you to understand how it feels.””
“How what feels?””
“To have everyone waiting for you to fail.””
Gloria frowned.
“Who is everyone?””
Jessica didn't answer.
Daniel noticed.
“Who told you to do this?””
Jessica looked toward the vanity.
“No one.””
Daniel's eyes followed hers.
On the white vanity sat a small black purse.
He recognized it.
Jessica's purse.
He walked over.
She immediately moved to block him.
“Don't touch that.””
Daniel stopped.
“What's inside?””
“Personal things.””
“Why are you scared of me opening it?””
“Because I said don't.””
Gloria stepped forward.
“Jessica, if there's nothing wrong—”
“Stay out of it!””
The shout echoed through the room.
Gloria flinched.
Daniel's face hardened.
“You don't get to speak to my mother like that.””
Jessica's expression softened instantly.
“I didn't mean it.””
“You keep saying that.””
He reached for the purse.
Jessica grabbed his wrist.
“Daniel, please.””
He looked at her hand.
She released him.
Slowly.
Daniel opened the purse.
Inside were lipstick, tissues, a compact mirror, and a small envelope.
He pulled out the envelope.
No name.
No address.
Just his wedding date handwritten across the front.
Jessica's face went white.
Daniel looked at her.
“What is this?””
She didn't answer.
He opened it.
Inside was a printed photograph.
Daniel stared at it.
Gloria moved closer.
The picture showed Daniel outside a hotel.
Beside him stood a woman neither Gloria nor the bridesmaids recognized.
Daniel's expression changed.
“I've never seen this.””
Jessica whispered, “I know.””
“Then why do you have it?””
She looked at him.
“Because that's the reason I was afraid.””
Daniel turned the photograph over.
There was writing on the back.
His eyes moved across the first line.
Then stopped.
His face went completely still.
Gloria saw the change.
“Daniel?””
He didn't respond.
May you like
Jessica whispered one sentence.
“You weren't supposed to find that until after we were married.””
