Chapter 2 – Part 1: The Document in His Pocket
Chapter 2 – Part 1: The Document in His Pocket
The applause continued long after the music began.
Guests who had expected to witness a wedding instead surrounded Amy with hugs, kind words, and quiet admiration.
"You handled that with incredible grace."
"You deserve so much better."
"We're proud of you."
Each sentence warmed her heart just enough to keep it from breaking completely.
Across the ballroom, however, Maverick stood alone.
No one approached him.
No one offered comfort.
Even his own relatives avoided his eyes.
Mrs. Bennett quietly removed the boutonniere from his lapel.
"You don't deserve to wear this today," she said.
Then she walked away.
Aunt Rose Notices Everything
Aunt Rose had always believed that people revealed themselves in moments of panic.
While everyone else focused on Amy, her sharp eyes remained fixed on Maverick.
He wasn't looking at Penelope.
He wasn't trying to repair his relationship with his parents.
Instead...
He kept patting the inside pocket of his suit jacket.
Again.
And again.
As though checking that something was still there.
Aunt Rose smiled faintly.
"Eighty-two years," she murmured.
"And men still think no one notices."
She slowly crossed the ballroom until she stood beside him.
"You seem nervous."
Maverick forced a smile.
"I've had a rough afternoon."
"I imagine."
Her gaze dropped briefly to his jacket.
"What are you hiding?"
His expression flickered.
"I'm not hiding anything."
"No?"
She leaned slightly closer.
"Then why do you keep checking your pocket?"
For the first time that day, genuine fear crossed Maverick's face.
"It's nothing."
Aunt Rose nodded pleasantly.
"I see."
She walked away without another word.
But she had already confirmed what she needed.
There was something in that pocket worth protecting.
A Conversation Overheard
Amy slipped outside onto the hotel terrace.
The evening air felt cool against her skin.
She needed a moment alone.
The laughter from the ballroom drifted faintly through the open doors behind her.
She stared at the lake beyond the gardens.
Her wedding day had become something she could never have imagined.
"I was wondering where you'd gone."
Marcus Bennett's voice came from behind her.
She turned.
Not Maverick's father.
His older cousin.
A corporate attorney who had flown in from Chicago for the wedding.
Amy managed a tired smile.
"I needed air."
Marcus nodded.
"I don't blame you."
He hesitated.
"Can I tell you something?"
Amy noticed how uneasy he looked.
"Of course."
He glanced back toward the ballroom to make sure no one had followed him.
"I've worked with Maverick for six years."
"So?"
"So..."
Marcus lowered his voice.
"I don't think today's betrayal started with Penelope."
Amy frowned.
"What do you mean?"
"I think he's been lying to you about much more than an affair."
Before Amy could ask another question, voices echoed around the corner.
Maverick.
And Penelope.
Marcus gently touched Amy's arm.
"Stay here."
They stepped behind a row of tall hedges.
Neither Maverick nor Penelope noticed them.
The Argument
"I told you to destroy it," Penelope whispered urgently.
"I couldn't."
"You promised!"
"I said I would."
"Then why is it still with you?"
Maverick looked around nervously.
"If Amy sees it..."
"She won't."
Penelope grabbed his arm.
"Give it to me."
He pulled away.
"No."
"What if she hires a lawyer?"
"She won't."
Penelope laughed bitterly.
"You don't know Amy anymore."
Maverick rubbed his forehead.
"I'll take care of it."
"You've been saying that for months."
Amy felt her pulse quicken.
Months?
This conversation had clearly begun long before today.
Penelope's next words made her blood run cold.
"If she finds out what happened to her company..."
She stopped abruptly.
Amy's eyes widened.
Her company?
Maverick answered through clenched teeth.
"She won't."
"You can't guarantee that."
"I said I'll handle it."
"You've handled nothing."
The Missing Folder
The couple walked away.
Amy stepped out from behind the hedges.
Her hands trembled.
"My company?"
Marcus looked troubled.
"You own thirty percent of Collins Design Group."
"My grandmother left me those shares."
Amy nodded slowly.
"What could they possibly mean?"
Marcus hesitated.
"I don't know."
"But whatever's in that pocket..."
"...it's connected."
An Unexpected Ally
As they reentered the ballroom, Chloe hurried toward Amy.
She looked as though she had been crying for hours.
"I need to show you something."
She led Amy into a quiet conference room beside the ballroom.
Then pulled out her phone.
"I wasn't supposed to hear this."
She opened a voice recording.
Maverick's voice filled the room.
"Once we're married, everything transfers automatically."
Another voice.
Penelope.
"Are you sure?"
"Positive."
"And Amy doesn't suspect anything?"
"Not a chance."
The recording ended.
Amy stared at the phone.
"I don't understand."
Chloe shook her head.
"I found Dad's copy of the prenuptial agreement this morning."
Amy frowned.
"There wasn't one."
Chloe looked horrified.
"There was."
"What?"
"Maverick told everyone you refused to sign it."
Amy's heartbeat stopped.
"I never even saw one."
Chloe slowly reached into her handbag.
"I think..."
She swallowed.
"...that's because this isn't the document he wanted you to sign."
She handed Amy a sealed manila envelope.
Written across the front were four words.
Property Transfer Agreement.
Amy carefully opened it.
As she read the first page, every trace of color disappeared from her face.
This had never been about a last-minute affair.
May you like
The wedding itself...
Had been part of a much larger plan.
