Chapter 2: Every Lie Comes Due
Chapter 2: Every Lie Comes Due
The police handcuffed Preston in front of every guest who had applauded him less than thirty minutes earlier.
His mother rushed forward.
"This is ridiculous!"
"My son made one mistake!"
The lead detective looked at her calmly.
"Ma'am..."
"Planting evidence."
"False accusation."
"Felony assault on a minor."
"Attempting to obstruct an investigation."
"Those aren't one mistake."
"They're several felonies."
Preston turned desperately toward his father.
"Dad... say something."
Richard Bennett had spent thirty years protecting his son.
He opened his mouth.
Then noticed another officer approaching with a second tablet.
"We found something else."
The detective pressed play.
Earlier recordings.
Different dates.
The hotel's cameras had captured Preston meeting secretly with one of the wedding planners.
Cash exchanged hands.
Instructions were given.
The planner confessed almost immediately.
Preston had ordered staff to seat Evelyn near the exit.
He instructed photographers never to include her family in official pictures.
Most shocking of all...
He planned to accuse Sophie before the reception even started.
Everything had been scripted.
Madison slowly removed her wedding ring.
"You used my wedding..."
"...to destroy your own niece?"
Preston reached for her.
"Madison... listen..."
She stepped backward.
"I don't even know who you are."
Across the room, Evelyn's mother began crying.
Not because of Sophie.
Because her perfect son had finally been exposed.
"You've ruined this family," she whispered toward Evelyn.
Evelyn looked at her quietly.
"No."
"Your lies ruined it years ago."
"I simply stopped protecting them."
Her father lowered his head.
He could not meet her eyes.
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Because deep inside...
He knew she was right.
