Chapter 2 - THE WIFE ON THE SCREEN
Brooke stood in front of a plain white wall.
She wore no dramatic makeup.
No expensive dress.
Only a navy blouse and the exhausted expression of a woman who had waited years for someone to believe her.
“My name is Brooke Vance.”
Her voice filled the ballroom.
“I am Arthur Vance’s legal wife.”
Guests began whispering.
Sienna looked toward Arthur.
His face had gone completely pale.
“This is fake,” he said.
The recording continued.
Brooke displayed their certified marriage license.
Then photographs appeared.
Arthur holding their newborn son.
Arthur standing beside Brooke at a family Christmas.
Arthur signing a joint mortgage application four years after he claimed their marriage had ended.
Sienna’s bouquet slipped from her fingers.
My mother rushed toward the screen.
“Turn this off.”
No one moved.
The technicians had received instructions from the wedding venue’s corporate owner.
The video could only be stopped by a security administrator.
Brooke continued.
“Arthur disappeared after moving money from our joint accounts.”
“He told me he needed time to rebuild his business.”
“Instead, he created a new identity in another state.”
“He never filed for divorce.”
Arthur grabbed the microphone.
“This woman is unstable.”
“She has harassed me for years.”
Then a second video began.
It showed Arthur sitting inside my father’s office.
My father was beside him.
The date appeared in the corner.
Eight months earlier.
Arthur said, “Once the wedding is legal, Sienna’s shares become easier to control.”
My father answered, “Eleanor’s transfer is already handled.”
Arthur smiled.
“Then both daughters are covered.”
The ballroom became silent.
My father looked as though the floor had disappeared beneath him.
Sienna stared at him.
“What does he mean?”
Dad did not answer.
My mother stepped forward.
“This is Eleanor’s revenge.”
Sienna’s expression twisted.
“You said Eleanor signed away her shares.”
“She did.”
The screens displayed the forged transfer document.
Then they showed my real signature beside the imitation.
A handwriting expert’s analysis appeared.
The transfer was fraudulent.
Arthur attempted to leave the altar.
Two uniformed investigators entered through the ballroom doors.
Behind them walked Brooke.
She held her son’s hand.
Arthur froze.
Brooke stopped several feet away.
“You told our child you were working overseas.”
Arthur glanced toward the exits.
Every door was blocked by venue security.
Sienna removed her veil.
“You are married?”
Arthur lowered his voice.
“I can explain.”
“To which wife?”
Several guests gasped.
Arthur reached for her arm.
She pulled away.
Then the flash drive played another file.
It showed payments from Vance Crest Holdings to wedding vendors.
The money came from the company’s employee retirement account.
My mother’s designer gown.
The imported flowers.
The champagne.
Even the chapel deposit had been purchased using money taken from workers.
Sienna looked around at the crystal chandeliers and white roses.
Her perfect wedding became evidence.
The lead investigator approached Arthur.
“Mr. Vance, we need you to come with us.”
Arthur straightened his tuxedo.
“This is a misunderstanding.”
Brooke laughed without humor.
“You have been using that sentence for nine years.”
The investigator placed him in handcuffs.
My mother screamed.
My father remained still.
Then one of the investigators turned toward him.
“Mr. Prescott, you will also need to answer questions regarding fraudulent share transfers and retirement-fund withdrawals.”
Dad looked toward Sienna.
She stepped away from him.
The wedding guests began recording.
The ceremony was over.
But the flash drive still had one final folder.
May you like
Its label contained only two words.
SIENNA KNEW.
