Chapter 17 - The Ashes of the Venue
The next afternoon, the sun broke through the storm clouds over Austin, bathing the city in warm, golden light.
I returned to the wedding venue accompanied by Marcus to collect my personal belongings and settle the venue bills.
The elegant chapel stood quiet and completely empty, white rose petals scattered across the red carpet aisle.
It felt like a lifetime ago that I had stood in the groom's room, holding a black USB drive in my trembling hands.
"What are you going to do with all this, Daniel?" Marcus asked softly, gesturing to the elaborate floral decorations.
"I'm donating all the flowers to the local hospice center," I replied, picking up my leather garment bag from the chair.
"And I'm converting the honeymoon fund into a college trust for Noah."
Marcus smiled, placing a warm, supportive hand on my shoulder.
"You handled this like a lion, old friend," Marcus said proudly. "Most men would have broken under that kind of betrayal."
"I didn't do it alone," I said, looking down at my phone background, which showed a photo of Emily and Noah laughing in a park.
"My family protected me when I was too blind to protect myself."
As we walked out to my truck, a sleek black sedan pulled up to the curb, and a young woman stepped out holding a legal manila folder.
She was a junior clerk from the Travis County District Attorney's office.
"Mr. Miller?" she asked politely. "I have the finalized court deposition papers regarding Rebecca Vance and Evelyn Vance."
"They are being held without bail pending their federal trial in October."
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"Thank you," I said, taking the folder and sliding it into my briefcase without opening it.
I didn't need to read their charges; their story was over, but my family's story was just beginning.
