Chapter 4 - The Woman in the Hallway
Claire showed the messages to Mia, but not Ethan.
Not yet.
Something in his face had changed when Daniel mentioned the backup. Fear, maybe. Or guilt.
The dress team worked fast. They removed most of the liquid, but the lace remained faintly yellow across the bodice.
Claire refused the spare gown.
“I’m wearing this one,” she said.
The coordinator stared at her. “Claire, are you sure?”
“Yes.”
Mia understood immediately.
The stain was evidence.
Outside the suite, the hall was nearly empty.
Claire slipped out while Ethan argued with Daniel near the doorway.
At the far end of the corridor, an older woman in a gray housekeeping uniform stood beside a linen cart.
She was watching Claire.
When their eyes met, the woman turned away.
Claire walked toward her.
“Excuse me.”
The woman pushed the cart faster.
“Wait.”
Claire caught up near the service elevator.
The woman’s name tag read ROSA.
“Did you text me?” Claire asked.
Rosa’s face tightened.
“I don’t know what you mean.”
“You were outside the bridal room earlier.”
“I was working.”
Claire lowered her voice. “Someone shut off the camera. Someone warned me not to marry Ethan. If you know why, tell me now.”
Rosa looked over Claire’s shoulder.
Then she grabbed Claire’s wrist.
“Your fiancé’s mother gave Vanessa a keycard this morning,” she whispered. “Not a room key. A security keycard.”
Claire went still.
“Why?”
“I don’t know.”
“You know more than that.”
Rosa’s eyes filled with fear. “I saw them arguing in the service hall yesterday. Mrs. Cole said, ‘If Claire signs after the ceremony, we lose control.’ Vanessa said, ‘Then make sure she doesn’t get that far.’”
Claire’s stomach dropped.
“Signs what?”
Rosa shook her head.
“I don’t know.”
The service elevator dinged.
The doors opened.
Richard Cole stood inside.
Ethan’s father looked from Rosa’s hand on Claire’s wrist to Claire’s stained dress.
His expression changed.
“Rosa,” he said quietly. “Go downstairs.”
Rosa released Claire and stepped into the elevator.
Before the doors closed, she whispered one last thing.
“Ask about the trust.”
May you like
Richard heard her.
Claire knew because his face went white.
