Chapter 3 - The Veil of Innocence
The heavy brass lock clicked, and I swung the door open, stepping directly into the dimly lit hallway.
Rebecca stood there in her stunning twelve-thousand-dollar Vera Wang lace gown, holding her bouquet of white roses.
Her dark eyes scanned my face, searching for any sign of suspicion, before dropping immediately to my hands.
"What took you so long, Daniel?" she asked, putting on a bright, radiant smile that didn't reach her eyes.
"The coordinator says the string quartet has already played the processional song twice."
"I had a brief stomach cramp," I lied smoothly, forcing a gentle smile as I adjusted my black bowtie.
"And Noah was a bit fussy about his shoes, so I was helping him tie them."
Rebecca looked down at Noah, her gaze darkening for a fraction of a second as the boy shrank closer to my leg.
"Oh, sweet little Noah," Rebecca purred, kneeling in her expansive white dress to reach for his hand.
"Why don't you go find Aunt Clara in the chapel? She has some sweet candy for you in her purse."
Noah refused to move, wrapping both of his tiny arms tightly around my ankle.
"He stays with me, Rebecca," I said firmly, my tone leaving zero room for negotiation or argument.
Rebecca paused, her eyes flashing with a sudden, dangerous annoyance before she slowly stood back up.
"Of course, darling," she said softly, smoothing down her satin skirt. "Whatever makes our little man comfortable."
"Shall we go down the aisle now? The guests are getting restless."
"Actually," I said, leaning in close so the wedding planner down the hall couldn't hear us.
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"I need to step outside to take a quick corporate call from my legal counsel about the trust transfer tomorrow."
Rebecca’s entire posture froze, her bouquet trembling slightly in her manicured fingers.
