Chapter 17 - THE CONFESSION ON THE STAIRCASE
Daniel pressed both hands against Olivia’s wound.
Blood moved between his fingers.
“Stay awake.”
Her face had turned white.
Richard stood frozen with the weapon lowered.
Police officers flooded the attic.
Noah forced the senator to the ground.
Handcuffs closed around Richard’s wrists.
He did not resist.
He continued staring at Olivia.
Paramedics carried her down the staircase.
Daniel walked beside the stretcher.
She opened her eyes as they reached the ballroom.
The guests had been held inside for questioning.
Every face turned toward the wounded bride.
The white roses were still hanging above the dance floor.
The broken champagne glasses had not been removed.
The celebration had become a crime scene.
Olivia caught Daniel’s sleeve.
“The phone.”
“What?”
“My phone.”
An officer found it inside her silver purse.
Olivia whispered the passcode.
Inside was a folder containing hundreds of recordings, messages, bank documents, and private conversations with Richard.
“I collected everything,” she said.
“Why?”
“In case he turned against me.”
Daniel looked at the screen.
“You could have stopped this before the wedding.”
“I know.”
Her eyes filled with tears.
“That is the part I can never explain away.”
Serena was carried past them on another stretcher.
She reached for Olivia’s hand.
The two women touched fingertips for only a second.
“I’m sorry,” Olivia whispered.
Serena nodded.
“So am I.”
At the front doors, reporters were already gathering behind the police barricades.
Richard Mercer was led outside in handcuffs.
Cameras captured the powerful senator without his tailored jacket or practiced smile.
Thomas followed with federal agents.
His return from the dead would become national news before sunrise.
Daniel remained beside Olivia until the ambulance doors opened.
She looked at the wedding ring on her finger.
“Was any part of today real?”
“The danger was real.”
“That isn’t what I meant.”
Daniel removed his own ring.
“I loved the woman I thought you were.”
Olivia closed her eyes.
“I wanted to become her.”
“But you chose the plan.”
“Yes.”
The honesty hurt more than another lie would have.
A paramedic stepped between them.
“We need to leave now.”
Daniel moved back.
Olivia looked at him one final time.
“The evidence against Emma is in the folder called Blue Chapel.”
The ambulance doors closed.
Daniel stood beneath the flashing lights with blood on his tuxedo.
Noah approached.
“We found the folder.”
“Is it enough?”
“It proves Richard ordered the transfer.”
Daniel looked toward Emma and Caleb.
His sister held her son tightly.
For the first time that day, Daniel allowed himself to believe she might be safe.
Then Noah’s phone rang.
He answered and listened.
His face changed.
“What happened?” Daniel asked.
May you like
Noah lowered the phone.
“The ambulance never reached the hospital.”
