Chapter 2 - No Vows Tonight

"Nobody touches my niece," Owen said.

The closest guard stopped. He had the uncomfortable look of a man who'd been given an order without the full story. Martin, silver-haired and perfectly dressed, spoke over the guests. "My daughter is being threatened by a fabricated recording. We need to collect that device."

"You need to sit down," Owen replied.

Natalie grabbed his wrist. "You know me. You know I'd never hurt Ivy."

"You arranged a placement behind my back."

"A school. I was looking at schools."

"A residential facility that takes children away from their families?" He swallowed. "On Monday?"

Her eyes flickered to her father. It was a small movement. Owen saw it anyway.

A young sound technician named Mina Alvarez stepped between the stage and the guards. "This isn't the only copy," she said. "It's playing from a drive. The venue system cached the video before we started."

Martin's expression sharpened. "Who authorized you to show this?"

"I did," Ivy said. Her voice shook now, but she didn't retreat. "It's about my dad."

Owen crouched in front of her. "Ivy, listen to me. You didn't do anything wrong by telling me. But no more speeches tonight, okay? I'm here."

She nodded and slipped her hand into his.

Margaret stepped close enough that only he could hear. "I gave Mina the file. I was going to tell you quietly. Then Martin told me what would happen to my daughter if I talked."

"What file? Where did you get it?"

"An audio clip from Natalie's office. I worked for Martin's charity for thirteen years." She looked at his boutonniere. "The recording isn't even the worst of it."

Owen called across the room to the officiant. "There will be no wedding. Please tell everyone to go home."

Natalie let out a broken laugh. "You're destroying our lives over a voice file?"

"No," he said. "I'm stopping you from destroying hers."

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He led Ivy toward the service corridor with Mina and Margaret behind him. Outside the swinging kitchen doors, a catering cart blocked the hallway. On it lay an ivory envelope with Owen's name written in thick black ink.

Inside was a single photograph of Ivy's bedroom, taken that afternoon, and a note: WE ALREADY KNOW WHERE HE HID IT.