He stared at Vanessa, his face drained of color with anger.
“Do you really want me to tell everyone the truth?”
Vanessa froze.
For the first time that evening, the flawless bridal smile slipped from her face.
“Daniel,” she whispered. “Not here.”
He reached toward the microphone.
My mother immediately stood.
“This is a wedding. Everyone is emotional.”
I looked at Daniel.
Then Vanessa.
And suddenly, everything made sense.
Three nights earlier, Daniel had called me with an unusual question.
He wanted to know whether Vanessa had any legal authority over Hawthorne House, the historic family estate where they intended to live after their honeymoon.
I had answered truthfully.
“No.”
Then I had asked him why.
Daniel had gone silent.
Now Vanessa grabbed his wrist.
“Put that down.”
He pulled away.
Part of me could have enjoyed watching her panic.
Instead, I brushed the dust from my dress.
“Daniel, wait.”
Every person in the ballroom turned toward me.
Vanessa laughed much too quickly.
“See? Claire knows her place.”
I held her gaze.
“No,” I said quietly. “I just want to give you one final chance to tell the truth yourself.”
Her face turned white.
Because Hawthorne House didn’t belong to our parents.
It belonged to me.
## Part 2
Vanessa regained her composure quickly.
She always did when people were watching.
She lifted her chin and smiled at the guests.
“My sister is confused. Grief did strange things to her after Grandpa died.”
Several relatives murmured sympathetically.
Then she faced me.
