My stomach turned cold.
Lena stared at me.
“They think the house is his?”
“They think everything is his.”
I opened my email, forwarded the latest recording to my attorney, and sent one text.
Proceed.
Thirty seconds later, my attorney answered.
Security and officers are outside. Your bank confirmed the fraudulent credit application this morning. Do not leave alone.
I exhaled.
Then opened the door.
Derek stood there furious, Patricia behind him.
“You done performing?” he asked.
“Yes.”
I walked past him toward the ballroom.
He grabbed my wrist again.
This time, I didn’t pull away.
I wanted people to notice.
“Where do you think you’re going?”
“Back to our guests.”
His expression softened.
He thought I had surrendered.
Patricia smirked.
“That’s better.”
I returned to the head table and picked up the microphone.
The DJ lowered the music.
Two hundred faces turned toward me.
Derek settled into his chair, looking satisfied.
He raised his champagne.
“Finally.”
I looked directly at my new husband.
“Actually,” I said, “I have one last wedding announcement.”
Derek smiled lazily.
“Make it quick.”
I kept the microphone steady.
“My husband thinks what happened with the cake was funny.”
The ballroom quieted.
Derek’s smile tightened.
“Claire.”
“I’d like everyone to hear what happened afterward.”
Lena connected her phone to the sound system.
Derek stood.
“What are you doing?”
