Chapter 5: The Wedding Invitation
The next morning, I placed the engagement invitation on the kitchen island.
Vanella entered at 8:30, carrying a cup of coffee.
She stopped when she saw it.
For a second, her expression was completely blank.
Then she smiled.
"Good morning.""
I pointed at the invitation.
"Explain this.""
She placed her coffee down.
"Oh. You found it.""
"Apparently, I'm hosting a wedding.""
Vanella pulled out a chair.
"Michael, I was going to discuss everything with you.""
"When?""
"Soon.""
"The wedding is in six days.""
She sighed.
"Planning takes time.""
I looked at her.
"Did you authorize someone to use my estate as the venue?""
"It's our home.""
"My name is on the deed.""
"Our home, Michael.""
"Did I agree to host this wedding?""
She folded her hands.
"You're making this sound like some terrible crime.""
"Did I agree?""
She looked away.
"No.""
I nodded.
"Then the venue is canceled.""
Her head snapped up.
"You can't do that!""
"I just did.""
"Michael, there are already deposits!""
"Who paid them?""
Vanella hesitated.
"That isn't important.""
"It is if you used my money.""
She stood.
"Why are you doing this to Brielle? She's excited. She's been dreaming about this wedding for months.""
"Then she should have asked me before printing my name on an invitation.""
Vanella shook her head.
"You've embarrassed me enough.""
I almost smiled.
"Embarrassed you?""
"Yes! Everyone knows you're paying for the wedding. Tyler's family has been told that the Carter family is supporting the marriage.""
I stared at her.
"Who told them that?""
"I did.""
"Why?""
"Because that's what families do!""
"No. Families ask before spending someone else's money.""
She grabbed the invitation.
"You know what? You're impossible.""
Before I could answer, Brielle entered the kitchen.
She wore a white sweater and fitted jeans, her hair pulled into a sleek ponytail.
"Mom, did you talk to Michael?""
Vanella looked at her.
"He refuses to cooperate.""
Brielle turned toward me.
"Michael, can we please be adults about this?""
I raised an eyebrow.
"Which part? The part where you took Ava's belongings, or the part where you planned a wedding in my house without permission?""
Brielle rolled her eyes.
"You're never going to let that dress go, are you?""
I stared at her.
"That dress was only the beginning.""
She glanced at her mother.
Vanella immediately stepped in.
"Don't talk to him like that, Brielle.""
Then she turned to me.
"Michael, Tyler's parents are coming over tonight. We need to present a united front.""
I looked at the invitation.
"There's no wedding at this house.""
Vanella's jaw tightened.
"Then you're going to have to explain that to everyone.""
"I will.""
She picked up her coffee.
"Fine.""
She walked out.
Brielle followed, but paused at the doorway.
"You really don't understand what's happening, do you?""
I looked at her.
"Then explain it.""
She shook her head.
"Mom said you would eventually understand.""
And she left.
I stood alone in the kitchen.
A few seconds later, Ava came downstairs.
She was wearing a gray sweatshirt and carrying her laptop.
"Was that about the wedding?""
I nodded.
She placed her laptop on the island.
"Dad, I found something else.""
I closed my eyes briefly.
"Please tell me it isn't another document.""
"It's worse.""
She opened her laptop.
On the screen was a social media page belonging to Brielle.
A recent post showed Brielle and Tyler standing in front of a luxury hotel. Tyler was holding a champagne glass, while Brielle displayed a diamond ring.
The caption read:
*Forever starts soon. So grateful to the family making our dream possible.*
I looked at the comments.
One caught my attention.
A woman named Denise Bennett had written:
*Can't wait to celebrate what we've worked so hard for. The future is finally ours.*
I read it twice.
Then I clicked Denise's profile.
There were photographs of her with Vanella and Brielle.
But one photograph stood out.
It showed the three women sitting at a restaurant table with Tyler and an older man I recognized.
Richard Grant.
Tyler's father.
He was a prominent local businessman who had been involved in several real estate developments.
I turned to Ava.
"Where did you find this?""
"On Brielle's public page.""
"Did you see anything else?""
Ava nodded.
"Look at the date.""
The photograph had been posted two months earlier.
The caption beneath it read:
*Planning the next chapter.*
I enlarged the photograph.
A folder sat on the table.
The label was partially visible.
*CARTER ESTATE DEVELOPMENT.*
My stomach tightened.
They weren't just planning a wedding.
They had been discussing my property for months.
I immediately sent the photograph to Daniel.
His response came less than five minutes later.
We need to meet. I have information about Richard Grant.
I called him.
"What's going on?""
Daniel spoke carefully.
"Richard's company has been trying to acquire the commercial building you own downtown.""
"Why?""
"They want to redevelop the entire block. Your property is the missing piece.""
I looked at the photograph again.
"How does Tyler fit into this?""
"Tyler's firm is acting as an intermediary. They approached your property manager earlier this year.""
"Without my knowledge?""
"Apparently.""
I felt my jaw tighten.
"And Vanella?""
"Her sister's company was created shortly after those discussions began.""
I leaned against the counter.
"So they wanted forty percent of my property.""
"Possibly more. I'm still reviewing the paperwork.""
I glanced toward Ava.
She was watching me.
"Daniel, what about the wedding?""
"What wedding?""
"Brielle and Tyler. They're planning to hold it at my estate.""
Silence.
Then Daniel asked, "Did you approve that?""
"No.""
"Then make sure nobody signs anything on your behalf. I'll send you a list of documents to secure.""
I thanked him and ended the call.
Ava closed her laptop.
"Are we going to be okay?""
I looked at her.
"Yes.""
She nodded, but her eyes remained worried.
Then she said something quietly.
"I don't think Brielle actually wants to marry Tyler.""
I turned toward her.
"What makes you say that?""
"Because I heard them arguing last weekend.""
"About what?""
"She said she didn't want to marry someone who only cared about money.""
I frowned.
"What did Tyler say?""
Ava hesitated.
"He told her the wedding was important because it would make everything official.""
"Everything?""
She nodded.
"Then he said, 'Once your mother gets Michael to sign the final papers, we won't have to worry about the property anymore.''"
I felt a cold wave pass through me.
"Did Brielle say anything?""
"She asked what would happen if you refused.""
"And Tyler?""
Ava looked down.
"He said there were other ways to get your signature.""
I was about to ask what she meant when the front door opened.
Vanella entered with Denise.
Her sister was dressed in a black designer coat, carrying a leather handbag.
Denise looked around the kitchen.
"Well, this is awkward.""
Vanella smiled tightly.
"Michael, Denise wanted to speak with you.""
I looked at Denise.
"About what?""
She pulled out a chair and sat down without being invited.
"About the property transaction.""
I stared at her.
"What property transaction?""
Denise opened her handbag and removed a folder.
"The commercial building downtown. The one connected to V.B. Holdings.""
I glanced at Vanella.
She looked nervous.
Denise continued.
"Richard Grant's company is prepared to make a generous offer. Everyone benefits.""
I leaned back.
"Everyone except me, apparently.""
Denise laughed.
"Michael, don't be dramatic. You're not losing anything.""
"Forty percent of my property says otherwise.""
She placed the folder on the counter.
"That's just the preliminary arrangement.""
"Who authorized it?""
"Vanella explained everything.""
I turned to my wife.
"Did you authorize my property to be transferred?""
Vanella looked down.
Denise sighed.
"Let's not pretend this is complicated. You have several assets. Brielle is part of this family. She deserves to have something substantial.""
I looked at her.
"Why does my daughter have to lose something for yours to gain something?""
Denise's smile disappeared.
"Because Brielle is the one getting married.""
I stared at her.
Then I laughed.
Not because anything was funny.
Because I finally understood how these people thought.
They believed marriage gave them ownership of everything around them.
They believed my generosity was weakness.
And they believed Ava would simply accept whatever was left.
I picked up Denise's folder.
Then I placed it back on the counter without opening it.
"Leave.""
Denise blinked.
"Excuse me?""
"You heard me.""
Vanella stood.
"Michael, don't embarrass us.""
I looked at her.
"Your sister came into my house with documents about transferring my property. She can leave with them.""
Denise slowly gathered her belongings.
"You're making a very expensive mistake.""
I stepped aside.
"Then I'll pay for it myself.""
She walked out.
Vanella remained.
For a moment, she looked as though she wanted to say something.
Then she whispered:
"You have no idea what Richard is capable of.""
I looked at her.
"Is that a threat?""
She shook her head.
"It's a warning.""
Then she followed her sister.
I stood at the kitchen island until I heard the front door close.
My phone buzzed.
Daniel had sent a message.
*Urgent. I found the original authorization document. Michael, the signature page isn't the only problem. Call me immediately.*
I pressed the call button.
He answered almost instantly.
"Michael, I need you to listen carefully.""
"What did you find?""
"The document Vanella asked you to sign contains an additional page that wasn't included in the copy you received.""
My blood ran cold.
"What page?""
"A separate authorization concerning your estate.""
I gripped the phone.
"What does it say?""
Daniel paused.
Then he said:
"It names Brielle as the intended beneficiary of the property after your death.""
I couldn't speak.
Then Daniel added something even worse.
"Michael, the document also contains a declaration stating that you voluntarily agreed to exclude Ava from the estate.""
I looked toward the staircase.
Ava was standing there.
She had heard enough to understand.
Her face went pale.
May you like
And just as I started toward her, my phone received an incoming message from an unknown number.
*Stop investigating the wedding. Your daughter is not as innocent as you think.*
