Chapter 5 - The Marriage Nobody Mentioned
Adrian had told Claire he'd never married. He said his only long relationship ended when his girlfriend moved abroad. Now Sophie was sending photographs to Claire's phone: Adrian in a charcoal tuxedo beside a smiling dark-haired woman, a marriage certificate, and a death notice printed under an unfamiliar surname.
She remembered another moment with Adrian: a rainy evening when he'd suggested their wedding should be small and private. She had joked that his mother would never permit it. He had stared into his drink and said, "My mother likes to know who is in the room." She'd taken it as a harmless family quirk. Now, looking at the guests assembled under chandeliers and security cameras positioned above every doorway, Claire understood that the guest list might have been about control rather than celebration. The thought was nauseating. She hadn't merely invited her friends to witness a marriage; she had invited them into a plan she didn't understand.
Claire walked back into the dining room with Lucy's bag held against her stained dress. A few guests rose when they saw her. Eleanor spoke before Claire could open her mouth.
"My dear, you look exhausted. Perhaps we're all better off pretending this unfortunate incident never happened."
"Did Adrian marry Hannah Price?"
The silence was immediate.
An elderly uncle studied his hands. A bridesmaid set down her glass. Adrian's jaw tightened.
"It's complicated," he said.
"It's a yes-or-no question."
"Yes."
Claire felt the room tilt. "And you let me marry you without telling me?"
"She died years ago. It wasn't relevant."
Eleanor stepped closer. "Hannah was troubled. Bringing her up on your wedding day is cruel to Adrian."
"Cruel?" Claire repeated. "He lied to me."
"Lower your voice," Eleanor snapped.
"No."
A guest near the windows stood up. He was Peter Shaw, the family's longtime accountant, and Claire recognized the fear in his face.
"Mrs. Vale," he said, "she deserves the truth."
Adrian turned on him. "Sit down."
"The trust documents—"
"Peter."
The single word carried a threat. Peter reached into his jacket, then stopped. Claire saw a folded envelope in his hand and the crest of Vale Holdings on the paper.
May you like
Before he could pass it to her, his phone rang. He read the caller's name, turned white, and bolted toward the terrace.
On Claire's screen, Mara sent another message: PETER IS NEXT. DON'T LET HIM GO OUTSIDE.
