Chapter 4 - THE MAN WHO RAN
Nathan shoved through the chapel door.
I followed him.
Martin followed me.
Outside, Nathan sprinted across the gravel parking lot.
“Nathan!”
He didn't stop.
He reached a black SUV.
Before he could open the door, Martin grabbed him.
Nathan swung.
His fist caught Martin across the jaw.
I tackled Nathan against the vehicle.
“Get off me!”
“Why are you running?”
“Because your family is insane!”
“My family?”
He shoved me backward.
Then something fell from his jacket.
A phone.
The screen lit up.
One message was visible.
MOM: GET THE GIRL OUT BEFORE DANIEL SEES THE FILE.
I stared at it.
Nathan lunged for the phone.
I grabbed it first.
“Give me that.”
“Who sent this?”
He said nothing.
Margaret came running outside.
She saw the screen.
Her face collapsed.
“That isn't me.”
The message said MOM.
But Nathan looked at Rebecca.
That was strange.
Then I understood.
I opened his contacts.
The number labeled MOM wasn't Margaret's.
It belonged to Rebecca.
“You're saved as Mom?”
Rebecca had followed us outside.
Her face went white.
Nathan cursed.
I stared at her.
“You sent this.”
Rebecca turned toward the chapel.
I caught her wrist.
“Get the girl out?”
She pulled away.
“I meant get her away from the wedding.”
“Why?”
“Because she found the file.”
“What file?”
Rebecca said nothing.
Nathan suddenly laughed.
“You might as well tell him.”
“Shut up.”
“He already ruined the wedding.”
“Nathan.”
“He deserves to know what he almost married.”
Rebecca slapped him.
Hard.
Nathan smiled.
“There she is.”
I stepped between them.
“What file?”
Nathan looked at me.
“The custody petition.”
My chest tightened.
“What custody petition?”
Rebecca closed her eyes.
Nathan continued.
“She filed it six weeks ago.”
I turned toward Rebecca.
“For Emily?”
Rebecca whispered, “Daniel—”
“You filed for custody of my daughter?”
“Not custody.”
Nathan laughed.
“Guardianship.”
I felt physically ill.
Martin grabbed Nathan's phone and began scrolling.
Then he stopped.
“Oh my God.”
“What?”
He showed me a photograph.
It was a court document.
PETITION FOR EMERGENCY TEMPORARY GUARDIANSHIP.
Petitioner: Rebecca Cole.
Minor: Emily Carter.
The allegations beneath my name were horrifying.
Emotional instability.
Neglect.
Alcohol abuse.
Unsafe parenting.
None of it was true.
Rebecca had been building a case to have my daughter taken from me.
I looked at her.
“How?”
She began shaking.
“How could you possibly think this would work?”
Rebecca's answer was barely audible.
“Because I had evidence.”
“What evidence?”
She looked at Nathan.
Nathan smiled again.
“Ask her about the cameras.”
May you like
I turned slowly toward my former bride.
“What cameras?”
