Chapter 3 - THE CEREMONY THAT BECAME A TRAP
A murmur moved through the chapel.
Olivia stared at the torn note in Daniel’s hand.
“What are you doing?”
Daniel gave her the calm smile of a devoted groom.
“Letting go of the last lie I believed.”
Reverend Collins cleared his throat.
“Is everything all right?”
Daniel turned toward the guests.
His mother sat rigidly in the front row.
Emma looked frightened.
Olivia’s father, Senator Richard Mercer, watched Daniel with narrowed eyes.
Daniel had never trusted the senator.
Richard was charming in public, ruthless in private, and deeply interested in the Bennett family’s charitable empire.
Daniel now wondered whether Olivia had been working alone.
“We’ve had a small misunderstanding,” Olivia announced.
Her voice sounded light and controlled.
“My future husband is overwhelmed.”
Several guests laughed politely.
Daniel noticed Noah slip quietly out of the chapel.
The signal had worked.
Daniel needed time.
He needed proof.
Most importantly, he needed to make sure Emma was safe before confronting Olivia publicly.
He turned back to the reverend.
“Please continue.”
Relief crossed Olivia’s face.
The ceremony moved forward.
Daniel repeated every vow with painful precision.
He promised loyalty.
He promised honesty.
He promised to stand beside Olivia in sickness and health.
Each word felt like another step into enemy territory.
When the reverend asked for the rings, Noah had not returned.
Daniel’s pulse quickened.
The best man’s empty place finally drew attention.
Olivia leaned toward him.
“Where is Noah?”
“Probably fixing one of your problems.”
She squeezed his hand hard enough to hurt.
Reverend Collins looked confused.
“Do we have the rings?”
Daniel’s mother rose from her seat.
“I have them.”
Margaret Bennett walked to the altar carrying the small velvet box.
She handed it to Daniel, but her eyes searched his face.
He wanted to warn her.
Instead, he took the ring.
Olivia extended her hand.
Daniel slid the diamond band onto her finger.
The guests watched in complete silence.
When it was Olivia’s turn, she placed the ring on Daniel’s hand.
Her fingertips trembled.
The reverend closed his book.
“By the authority vested in me by the state of New York, I now pronounce you husband and wife.”
Applause erupted.
Olivia pulled Daniel into a kiss.
Her lips touched his while she whispered through her smile.
“You belong to me now.”
Daniel placed one hand against her waist.
“No.”
He looked over her shoulder.
Noah had returned.
He stood at the back of the chapel holding a phone.
His expression was grim.
May you like
Daniel whispered one final sentence.
“Now you belong to the investigation.”
