Chapter 1 - The Hidden Recording
My thumb hovered over the tiny play button on the cracked screen of the burner phone.
I could hear the beautiful organ music starting to swell inside the grand chapel.
Laura was waiting for me at the end of the aisle in her expensive white gown.
I had spent the last year believing she was the woman who would finally bring peace to my life after my late wife passed away.
But I pressed play anyway.
Static hissed from the small speaker before a voice cut sharply through the noise.
It was Laura, but her voice lacked the sweet, gentle tone I had completely fallen in love with.
"Force her to sign the trust documents before Arthur gets back from his brother's house."
Then a deep, familiar man replied.
"And what if the little brat says something to his grandpa before the wedding?"
Laura laughed coldly, a sound that made my stomach violently churn.
"Then we make sure the kid has a little accident by the lake."
My blood turned to absolute ice in my veins.
I recognized the man's voice instantly.
It was Greg, my trusted lawyer, my best friend, and the best man waiting for me at the altar right now.
He had been the one who introduced me to Laura in the first place.
The chapel doors swung open, and the wedding coordinator frantically waved for me to enter the sanctuary.
I looked down at my three-year-old grandson, Leo, who was shaking with pure fear in his tiny suit.
He had risked his own life to bring me this phone and save his mother.
I did not walk toward the wooden doors.
I scooped Leo into my arms and sprinted down the back hallway toward the parking lot.
I ignored the confused shouts of the church staff as I pushed through the heavy glass exit doors.
I threw Leo into his car seat and peeled out of the church lot just as my personal cell phone began to ring.
The caller ID flashed Greg's name.
I answered it, putting it on speaker as I sped recklessly down the highway.
"Arthur, where are you, man, the bride is waiting," Greg said with a nervous chuckle.
"I am sorry, Greg, but I had a sudden emergency at Emily's house," I lied smoothly.
Greg went completely silent for a second too long.
May you like
"Do not go to her house, Arthur," Greg suddenly whispered, his voice dropping its friendly facade entirely.
"If you walk through that front door, my men will kill her."
