Chapter 3 - The Woman Nobody Wanted at the Wedding
By Friday morning, Beatrice Gallagher had made three decisions.
She would attend the wedding.
She would find Tommy.
And she would never allow Arthur Costello to confuse protecting her with controlling her.
Arthur didn't seem particularly pleased with the third decision.
“You'll have security,” he told her.
“I'll have a phone and functioning legs.”
“Beatrice.”
“Arthur.”
They stared at each other across his office.
Leo, standing near the door, looked delighted.
“I've never seen anyone argue with you this long and remain employed.”
“Leo,” Arthur said.
“Leaving.”
But before Leo reached the door, Beatrice stopped him.
“Your brother told me somebody used my father's identity. Do you know who?”
Leo's smile disappeared.
Arthur answered before he could.
“We're investigating.”
“That wasn't my question.”
“No,” Arthur admitted. “It wasn't.”
Beatrice picked up her handbag.
“Then I'll do my own investigation.”
She left Arthur staring at the closed door.
That afternoon, an expensive black sedan pulled up outside her modest apartment.
A woman emerged carrying three garment bags.
“My name is Evelyn,” she announced. “Mr. Costello requested assistance selecting an appropriate dress.”
Beatrice looked at the bags.
“Does he think I'm incapable of buying clothing?”
Evelyn smiled.
“He said you'd ask that.”
“And?”
“He told me to say the dresses are invitations, not instructions.”
Beatrice considered sending everything back.
Then Evelyn opened the first bag.
Inside was a dark emerald gown.
Simple.
Elegant.
Nothing like the sparkling, revealing outfits Beatrice had expected.
She touched the fabric.
“Did he choose this?”
“Personally.”
Beatrice hated the warmth that rose in her cheeks.
On Saturday evening, Arthur arrived at six.
Not a minute late.
He stood outside her apartment wearing a perfectly tailored black tuxedo.
But when Beatrice opened the door, he forgot whatever he'd intended to say.
Her auburn hair fell in soft waves around her shoulders.
The emerald gown hugged her figure without hiding it.
She wore small gold earrings and the same practical expression she'd worn while correcting his financial reports.
“Well?” she asked.
Arthur looked at her.
“You're beautiful.”
The words were so simple that she couldn't immediately find a defense against them.
“Try not to sound surprised.”
“I'm not surprised.”
“Then stop staring.”
“I'll try.”
He offered his arm.
She took it.
At the wedding venue, hundreds of guests gathered beneath crystal chandeliers.
The moment Arthur entered with Beatrice, conversations faltered.
Sophia, his usual social companion, stared openly.
Camila's mother whispered behind her champagne glass.
And Richard Spatafora smiled.
Not pleasantly.
Knowingly.
He approached Beatrice before Arthur could guide her away.
“Miss Gallagher. What a remarkable surprise.”
“Richard.”
“I hope Arthur explained the evening's special arrangements.”
Arthur stepped closer.
“What arrangements?”
Richard's smile widened.
“The bride's family requested a last-minute change.”
He looked directly at Beatrice.
“They've reserved a seat for her at the family table.”
Beatrice frowned.
“Why?”
Richard leaned forward.
“Because the bride's mother specifically asked to meet Daniel Gallagher's daughter.”
Arthur's grip tightened around Beatrice's hand.
May you like
Across the ballroom, Camila's mother raised her glass.
And Beatrice realized the woman was staring at her with unmistakable recognition.
