Derek thought he had just humiliated his wife.
What he had actually done was provide witnesses.
Two hundred of them.
Part 2
I walked calmly toward the bridal suite.
Derek followed.
“Where are you going?”
“To clean my face.”
“We’re doing speeches.”
“You can start without me.”
His smile disappeared.
He caught my arm.
Hard.
Several guests saw it.
Perfect.
“Claire,” he said through his teeth, “don’t start.”
I looked at his hand.
Then at him.
“Take your hand off me.”
His father, Richard, approached carrying whiskey.
“Everything okay?”
Derek released me instantly.
“She’s emotional.”
Richard chuckled. “Wedding nerves.”
I entered the bridal suite and locked the door.
Lena was already inside.
“You’re bleeding.”
“I know.”
“We can leave through the kitchen.”
“Not yet.”
Her eyes widened. “Claire—”
“I need them to believe I’m staying.”
I washed the frosting away while Lena opened her laptop.
For six weeks, she had been helping me organize evidence.
