Chapter 4

My phone rang at precisely 8:17 PM. I was sitting at my vanity, staring at my reflection as my makeup artist put the finishing touches on my wedding rehearsal look. The number was unknown, but something compelled me to answer.

"Hello?" I said, my voice steady despite the knot in my stomach.

"Marley?" The voice was soft, hesitant. Female. "This is Celia Weaver."

My fingers tightened around the phone. Celia Weaver. The name I'd been obsessing over for weeks.

"How did you get this number?" I asked, signaling for my makeup artist to leave.

"I... I need to talk to you," she said, her voice breaking. "Please, it's important."

I could hear traffic noise in the background. She was calling from outside.

"I know about you and Greyson," I said flatly.

A sob escaped her. "I'm so sorry, Marley. I never wanted to hurt you. But... I'm pregnant."

The words hit me like a physical blow. Pregnant. The room seemed to tilt slightly.

"How far along?" I managed to ask.

"Four months," she whispered. "I found out two weeks ago."

I closed my eyes, calculating. Four months. While Greyson was planning our wedding.

"He says he loves me," Celia continued, her voice gaining strength. "He says he only stays with you because of your families' arrangement."

I remained silent, letting her words fill the space between us.

"He's been coming to my doctor's appointments," she said, sniffing. "He holds my hand during the ultrasounds. He's already talking about names."

"You're calling me the night before my wedding," I said finally, "to tell me my fiancé is having a baby with you."

"I need you to step aside," she pleaded. "He doesn't really love you, Marley. He loves me. He's just afraid of what your family would do to his."

For twenty minutes, Celia poured out intimate details about their relationship. How Greyson would bring her tea exactly how she liked it. How he'd memorized her medication schedule. How he'd whisper promises to her in the dark.

Things only a lover would know.

---

The doorbell rang at 9:30 PM. I'd been sitting motionless since Celia's call, staring at the same spot on my bedroom wall.

I opened the door to find Greyson standing there, a dozen red roses in one hand and an envelope in the other.

"Marley," he said, his smile bright and innocent. "I couldn't wait until tomorrow to see you."

"Come in," I said, my voice hollow as I stepped aside.

He handed me the roses. "These reminded me of you. Beautiful, elegant..."

I accepted them with a smile that didn't reach my eyes. "Thank you."

"And this," he said, handing me the envelope, "is something I wanted you to have before our big day."

I opened it slowly, pulling out a handwritten letter on his monogrammed stationery.

"My dearest Marley," it began. "As I write this, I'm overwhelmed with gratitude for finding you..."

I scanned the page, taking in his declarations of eternal love, his promises of devotion, his dreams of our future together.

"It's beautiful," I said, folding it carefully and placing it on my nightstand.

Greyson pulled me into his arms. "Tomorrow, you'll be my wife. Nothing could make me happier."

I let him hold me, feeling his heartbeat against my cheek. Did he know that Celia had called? Could he sense that everything was about to fall apart?

"Goodnight, Greyson," I said as he left, kissing me tenderly at the door.

"Goodnight, my love," he replied.

---

The morning of my wedding dawned bright and clear. I stood at the window of my bridal suite, watching guests begin to arrive at the venue across the lawn.

The Adams-Elliott wedding. The social event of the season.

"Are you ready?" my sister asked, appearing at my side in her bridesmaid gown.

"Almost," I replied, turning to the USB drive sitting on the dressing table. "Is everything set with the videographer?"

She nodded. "He's ready. The footage will play on all screens during what would have been your vow exchange."

"And the sound system?"

"Checked twice. The audio will be crystal clear."

I nodded, satisfaction washing over me. "Good."

My phone buzzed with a text from Greyson: "I can't wait to make you mine forever."

I smiled coldly at the screen. Forever. That was a long time for someone who couldn't even make it through six years without betrayal.

"It's time," my sister said, helping me with my veil.

As I walked toward the ceremony site, I could see both families taking their seats. My mother and father in the front row. The Elliotts beside them. Greyson waiting at the altar, handsome in his tuxedo.

The videographer caught my eye and gave me a subtle nod.

I took a deep breath, feeling the weight of the USB drive in my clutch. Inside were twenty minutes of footage that would change everything.

The music began to play.