Chapter 5: The Groom Who Was Never In Love
I didn’t sleep that night.
Every time I closed my eyes, I saw Daniel standing at the altar.
The way he smiled.
The way he reached for Vanessa.
The way he watched me fall.
But now there was something worse.
The possibility that none of it had been random.
That my entire relationship had been built on a lie.
At seven in the morning, I was already in Grandpa’s office.
The coffee beside me had gone cold.
“Play the conversation again,” Grandpa said.
I looked at him.
“Again?””
“Yes.””
I replayed Daniel’s call.
Every word.
Every pause.
Every hesitation.
When it ended, Grandpa leaned back.
“He’s scared.””
“Does that mean he’s telling the truth?””
“No.””
The answer was immediate.
“It means he’s protecting himself.””
I hated how much sense that made.
Daniel had spent years protecting Daniel.
Not me.
Not us.
Himself.
My phone buzzed again.
This time, it was a message from Vanessa.
I almost deleted it.
Then I opened it.
I need to see you. Alone.
Grandpa noticed my expression.
“Who?””
“Vanessa.””
He frowned.
“The other woman?””
I nodded.
“Go.””
I looked surprised.
“You want me to meet her?””
“I want you to hear what she says when she has no audience.””
Two hours later, I sat across from Vanessa at a quiet café.
She looked nothing like the woman who had walked into my wedding.
No confidence.
No perfect smile.
Just exhaustion.
“I know you hate me,” she said.
I stirred my coffee.
“I don’t know you well enough to hate you.””
That seemed to hurt her.
“I thought Daniel loved me.””
I looked up.
“And now?””
She looked down.
“Now I think Daniel doesn’t know how to love anyone.””
Silence filled the table.
“Why did you come here?””
She reached into her bag.
“I found something.””
She placed a folder between us.
I didn’t touch it.
“What is it?””
“Emails.””
“Between who?””
She hesitated.
“Daniel and his father.””
My heartbeat changed.
“Why do you have them?””
“Because Daniel used my computer.””
A bitter laugh escaped her.
“He trusted me because he thought I was useful.””
I opened the folder.
The first email was from Richard Crawford.
The date was two years earlier.
Before Daniel proposed.
Before we even met.
The subject line made my blood run cold.
STERLING SUCCESSION PLAN.
I read the first message.
“Your son’s relationship must appear genuine. Charles Sterling is protective of his granddaughter. Emotional attachment will create access.””
My hands shook.
I looked at Vanessa.
“He wrote this?””
She nodded.
“There’s more.””
I read another email.
“Once the marriage is secured, Crawford Holdings will gain influence over Sterling assets.””
I closed my eyes.
My chest hurt.
Two years.
Daniel had been preparing.
Two years of dinners.
Birthdays.
Promises.
Every kiss.
Every “I love you.””
A performance.
Vanessa whispered.
“I didn’t know at first.””
I looked at her.
“When did you know?””
Her eyes filled with tears.
“The night before your wedding.””
I froze.
“Then why did you still come?””
She looked ashamed.
“Because Daniel told me he was leaving you for me.””
I stared at her.
“And you believed him.””
“Yes.””
A sad smile appeared.
“I guess we were both stupid.””
Before I could answer, my phone rang.
Grandpa.
I answered immediately.
“Phoebe.””
His voice was tense.
“What happened?””
“There’s been a development.””
“What kind?””
A pause.
Then:
“Richard Crawford has requested an emergency board meeting.””
My stomach tightened.
“Why?””
“He’s challenging your ownership rights.””
I stood.
“What?””
“He’s claiming your grandfather’s company was never supposed to go entirely to you.””
I looked at the emails sitting on the table.
The plan was bigger than I thought.
“They’re trying to take Sterling Enterprises.””
“Yes.””
My grandfather’s voice lowered.
“But there is something else.””
“What?””
“The board meeting isn’t tomorrow.””
I frowned.
“When is it?””
“Today.””
I looked at Vanessa.
She saw my expression.
“What happened?””
I grabbed the folder.
“They’re making their move now.””
As I rushed out of the café, my phone buzzed again.
A news alert appeared.
BREAKING: Sterling Enterprises Faces Ownership Dispute After Allegations Against Heiress Phoebe Bennett.
I stopped walking.
Because beneath the headline was a photo.
A photo of me.
And next to it was a quote.
A quote I had never said.
“I was never interested in the company. I only wanted Daniel Crawford’s money.””
My blood ran cold.
May you like
Someone had just declared war.
And they had used my own face as the weapon.
