Chapter 12 - The Marriage Clara Never Agreed To
Andrew was rushed to the hospital.
Thomas went with him under police protection.
Clara rode back to the estate with Detective Chen.
She stared at the digital marriage certificate on Mr. Bell’s tablet.
Her signature appeared at the bottom.
So did Andrew’s.
The officiant’s name belonged to a retired judge who had attended the rehearsal dinner.
Clara remembered signing a guest authorization form.
Andrew had signed the same page.
Patricia had replaced the first sheet afterward.
“She planned every detail.”
Detective Chen nodded.
“She needed the marriage recorded before the estate transfer could appear legitimate.”
Clara looked out at the dark road.
“Can it be canceled?”
“It can be challenged.”
“But until a judge rules, Patricia can create serious legal damage.”
When they reached the estate, the front gates stood open.
The security booth was empty.
Mr. Bell called every guard.
No one answered.
Inside the ballroom, the candles had been relit.
The crushed flowers had been replaced.
The wedding cake stood upright again.
Patricia waited beneath the altar.
She had changed into a black evening gown.
Her hair was perfectly arranged.
It was as if the night had begun again.
Clara entered with Detective Chen and four officers.
Patricia smiled.
“Welcome home, Mrs. Whitlock.”
Clara stopped at the end of the aisle.
“You drugged your own son for years.”
Patricia’s smile remained.
“I saved him from weakness.”
“You forged my marriage.”
“I gave you the wedding you were too emotional to finish.”
Detective Chen raised her badge.
“Patricia Whitlock, you are under arrest.”
Patricia lifted a small remote.
“Take another step.”
The ballroom doors locked behind them.
Metal shutters fell across the windows.
Clara looked toward the ceiling.
A sharp chemical smell filled the room.
Patricia held up the remote.
“This estate was built with an old fire suppression system.”
“I replaced the water tanks with gas canisters.”
One officer covered his mouth.
“You will kill yourself.”
Patricia laughed.
“I have survived worse.”
She looked at Clara.
“Send the officers away.”
“No.”
“Then everyone in this room stops breathing.”
Clara watched the tiny indicator light on the remote.
Patricia’s thumb rested over the button.
“What do you want?”
“A public statement.”
Patricia pointed toward a camera positioned beside the altar.
“You will say that you willingly married Andrew.”
“You will confirm the estate transfer.”
“And you will admit the fraud investigation was based on false information.”
Clara took one step forward.
Patricia raised the remote.
“Stop.”
Clara stopped.
“You tore my wedding dress because you thought I was powerless.”
Patricia’s expression hardened.
“I tore it because you looked too proud.”
“And now?”
“Now you will learn what pride costs.”
A screen behind the altar turned on.
Andrew appeared from his hospital room.
He was pale.
His shoulder was bandaged.
A man in a surgical mask held a knife against his throat.
Clara’s heart stopped.
Patricia smiled.
“My son refused to cooperate.”
“So I brought in someone who could persuade him.”
Andrew looked into the camera.
“Do not sign anything.”
The masked man pressed the blade closer.
Patricia held out a prepared statement.
“Choose carefully, Clara.”
“Your estate.”
“Or your husband.”
Clara looked at Andrew on the screen.
Then she looked at Patricia.
“You forgot one thing.”
Patricia narrowed her eyes.
“What?”
Clara slowly raised her phone.
“The entire ballroom has been broadcasting live for the last three minutes.”
Patricia’s face changed.
Across the screen, thousands of viewers were already watching.
But then the live feed suddenly disappeared.
Mr. Bell checked his device.
“Someone cut the transmission.”
Patricia smiled again.
“No, Clara.”
“I did not forget.”
Then the masked man removed his mask.
Clara recognized him.
May you like
It was Daniel Whitlock.
Andrew’s own cousin.
