Chapter 12: The Bride Who Refused to Run
The police wanted us to remain at the hotel.
They assigned two officers to the floor and advised us not to contact anyone connected to my father.
But I couldn't sit still.
My father had escaped custody.
Vanessa was helping him.
And Ethan was somewhere in Savannah, possibly trusting the same woman who had spent months plotting against me.
I paced the bridal suite.
Michael sat at the desk, reviewing the documents.
Daniel was speaking with his attorney.
Jessica sat quietly on the sofa.
Then my phone rang.
Unknown number.
I answered.
"Hello?""
A familiar voice whispered:
"Emily?""
I stopped walking.
"Ethan?""
There was a brief silence.
Then a shaky laugh.
"Hey, little sister.""
My knees nearly gave out.
I grabbed the edge of the table.
"Ethan!""
"Keep your voice down.""
Tears ran down my face.
"Where are you? Are you safe? Why didn't you come home?""
"One question at a time.""
I laughed through my tears.
"You've been missing for three years!""
"I know.""
"Do you have any idea what you've done to Mom?""
His voice softened.
"I know. I've thought about you every day.""
I covered my mouth.
"Why didn't you tell me you were alive?""
"Because Dad had people watching you. I thought staying away was the only way to keep you safe.""
"Then why did you meet Vanessa?""
He went quiet.
"She told you?""
"She showed up at my wedding and tried to destroy my dress.""
Ethan sighed.
"That sounds like Vanessa.""
I stared at the phone.
"You trust her?""
"No. Not anymore.""
"What happened?""
"She offered to help me recover the original documents. She said she had access to Dad's financial records.""
"She was working with him.""
"I know that now.""
I looked toward Daniel.
"Did you know Daniel was involved?""
"Yes.""
My heart sank.
"Then why did you tell me never to trust him?""
"Because he helped Dad move the money. But I don't think he knew the full plan.""
Daniel had stopped speaking with his attorney.
He was watching me.
Ethan continued.
"Emily, listen carefully. Vanessa has the original ledger. It contains the names of everyone involved in Dad's operation.""
"Where is she?""
"She's taking it to a private storage facility outside Savannah.""
"Why?""
"Because Dad wants it destroyed.""
I looked at Michael.
He immediately began writing down the details.
"Can we meet you?""
"Not yet.""
"Ethan, I've spent three years believing you were dead. I'm not waiting another day.""
His voice broke.
"I know. But there's something else.""
"What?""
"Vanessa isn't working alone.""
I closed my eyes.
"Who else?""
Ethan hesitated.
Then he said:
"Someone who attended your engagement party.""
I looked around the room.
Michael.
Daniel.
Jessica.
All of them had been there.
"Who?""
Before Ethan could answer, I heard a car horn in the background.
Then a door slammed.
"Ethan?""
"Emily, they're here.""
"Who's there?""
"Don't come to Savannah. Don't trust—"
The call disconnected.
I immediately called back.
The number was unavailable.
Michael grabbed his jacket.
"We're going.""
Daniel stood.
"I'll drive.""
I looked at him.
"You've hidden enough from me.""
He nodded.
"Then let me prove something for once.""
Jessica suddenly stood.
"Wait.""
We turned toward her.
She looked terrified.
"I know who attended the engagement party.""
"Who?""
Jessica swallowed.
"Your wedding planner.""
I stared at her.
"Sarah?""
Jessica nodded.
"She was the one who introduced Vanessa to your father.""
My stomach dropped.
Sarah had been my cousin's closest friend since childhood. She had helped arrange the wedding, selected the vendors, and handled the financial details.
She knew everything about my schedule.
She knew where my dress was kept.
She knew where the rings were.
She had access to every important detail.
"Do you have proof?"" Michael asked.
Jessica opened her phone.
She showed us a photograph taken at the engagement party.
Sarah stood beside Vanessa.
Behind them was Robert Mitchell.
They were all smiling.
The date was eleven months earlier.
Then Jessica opened a message thread.
*Sarah:* Emily trusts me completely. I can get you the documents.
*Vanessa:* What if she finds out?
*Sarah:* She won't. She's always been too busy believing everyone loves her.
I felt something inside me go cold.
Not Sarah.
Not another person.
Michael took the phone.
"We need to call the police.""
But before he could, someone knocked on the door.
We all froze.
An officer's voice came from outside.
"Miss Mitchell? We need you to come downstairs.""
Michael approached the door.
"What's happened?""
"We've located your wedding planner.""
I stepped forward.
"Where?""
The officer hesitated.
"She's at the hotel.""
"Which hotel?""
"This one.""
My phone vibrated.
A new message appeared.
It was from Sarah.
*Sarah:* Emily, please don't let them take me. I can explain everything.
Another message followed.
*Sarah:* I know where Ethan is.
I stared at the screen.
Michael reached for my arm.
"Don't respond.""
But then Sarah sent one final message.
*Sarah:* And I know who was driving the car that night.
I felt the room spin.
For three years, I had believed my brother's death was an accident.
Now the truth was sitting somewhere inside the same hotel where I had planned to get married.
I looked at Daniel.
"Come with me.""
He nodded.
Michael blocked the door.
"Emily, you're not walking into another trap.""
I looked at him.
"I'm not running anymore.""
We stepped into the corridor.
At the far end, two police officers stood beside the elevator.
Between them was Sarah.
Her wedding-planning clipboard was still tucked beneath her arm.
Her eyes met mine.
Then she smiled sadly.
"Emily, I'm sorry.""
I walked toward her.
"Tell me who was driving.""
Sarah looked at Daniel.
Then she said five words that destroyed whatever trust I had left.
"Your groom was in the car.""
Daniel went completely still.
I turned toward him.
He opened his mouth.
May you like
But before he could speak, Sarah added:
"And he wasn't alone.""
