CHAPTER 2 — The Wedding That Became an Arrest

The following afternoon...

The ballroom glittered beneath crystal chandeliers.

White roses.

Champagne fountains.

Television cameras.

Nathan stood proudly beside Lila.

She wore a fitted ivory gown.

One hand rested dramatically over her fake pregnant belly.

Miriam welcomed wealthy guests with practiced tears.

"My poor son..."

"What strength he has shown after losing his wife."

The officiant opened the ceremony.

"If anyone objects—"

The ballroom doors opened.

Every conversation stopped.

High heels echoed across the marble floor.

Nathan slowly turned.

The color vanished from his face.

Evelyn walked inside.

Alive.

Elegant.

Wearing the same navy coat she had worn the night before.

The room erupted.

"Impossible..."

Nathan whispered.

"You..."

Lila stumbled backward.

"You're dead."

Evelyn smiled calmly.

"I was supposed to be."

Donovan entered behind her.

Two homicide detectives followed.

Then three uniformed officers.

Finally...

A judge carrying signed warrants.

Nathan reached for Lila.

She stepped away.

Miriam attempted to speak.

The lead detective raised a hand.

"Don't."

He pressed a button.

Nathan's recorded confession filled the ballroom.

"...There won't be much left by morning."

Silence.

Then another recording.

Miriam's voice.

"If Evelyn dies... you inherit everything."

The guests froze.

Several reporters immediately began broadcasting live.

Lila ripped away the fake pregnancy padding hidden beneath her dress.

"I never agreed to murder!"

she screamed.

Nathan stared in disbelief.

"You said you'd stand by me!"

She shook her head violently.

"I thought you were only divorcing her!"

The detectives placed Nathan in handcuffs.

Another pair arrested Miriam.

Paige tried slipping out a side entrance.

An officer stopped her.

"We have security footage showing you acting as lookout."

Her shoulders collapsed.

Within minutes...

The wedding became a crime scene.