Chapter 4

At ten-twenty that morning, in the sleek reception lobby of Kevin's startup.

Chloe clicked across the polished floors in designer heels, carrying a luxury leather tote and iced coffees.

"Kevin, where's my veil? The photographer is waiting for our outdoor shoot this afternoon."

Kevin stepped out from his executive suite, wearing an easy, confident smile as he took her handbag.

"Natalie is on her way. Probably stuck in some traffic. Sit down, relax, have some water."

"Honestly, Natalie drags her feet over the simplest things," Chloe giggled, tapping her lips as her eyes wandered over Kevin's suit.

"You're way too patient with her, Kev. Anyone else would've lost their mind dealing with someone so small-minded."

Kevin chuckled, a fond, indulgent tone in his voice.

"She's never seen the world, so she gets overwhelmed easily. A little reassurance goes a long way. Women need to be grounded and dependable. Someone has to keep the house running."

Just then, a courier walked in holding a neat, flat cardboard mailer.

"Package for Kevin Vance? Same-day priority. Requires a direct signature."

A spark of smug satisfaction lit up Kevin's eyes. He turned to Chloe with an amused grin.

"Speak of the devil. What did I tell you? She acts stubborn on the phone, but she always comes through. She cares too much."

He walked over and scribbled his signature on the electronic pad.

"She always makes a show out of things. Packaging a simple veil into a formal gift box."

Ripping open the pull-tab, Kevin turned toward his employees, who were watching from their desks.

"Wedding favors for everyone soon, guys! Big things coming—soak up the good luck!"

The receptionist chimed in cheerfully, "Mr. Vance is so lucky. Natalie is so sweet and devoted!"

The cardboard pulled away.

Inside, there was no delicate white lace veil.

There was only a single, heavy, gold-embossed crimson wedding invitation.

Kevin paused, letting out a confused laugh.

"What is she doing, sending our invitation to my office to show off?"

Chloe leaned in, her eyes shining with curiosity.

"Oh, the invites are printed? Open it! Let me see how you arranged the VIP seating."

Kevin untied the silk ribbon with one hand, oozing casual confidence as he flipped open the heavy cardstock.

Two thin slips of paper slipped from the fold, fluttering down onto the marble floor.

Kevin looked down.

Inside the invitation, where the bride's name should have been, the name Natalie Hayes was heavily crossed out with black ink.

Written in its place were three chilling, neatly printed words: [POSITION VACANT].

On the floor lay the two slips of paper.

One was an official receipt stamped with the crimson seal of North Mountain Cemetery.

The header read:

Plot Maintenance Renewal: Joint Grave of Marcus Hayes and Linda Hayes. Term: 20 Years. Paid in Full: $48,000.

The other was a yellowed, four-year-old state police accident report.

Deceased: Marcus Hayes, Linda Hayes.

Cause: Evasive maneuver during high-speed vehicle pursuit by predatory lenders in severe blizzard conditions. Vehicle rolled down an embankment with fatal trauma.

Recovered personal effects inventory: Two bank withdrawal slips totaling $830,000, transferred directly to debt settlement. Named debtor and loan guarantor: Kevin Vance.

The air in the office instantly froze solid.

The receptionist's polite laughter caught in her throat.

The teasing smile on Chloe's face died, and she took a staggered half-step back.

Every ounce of smug superiority, calculating arrogance, and suave charm vanished from Kevin's face.

He stared paralyzed at the yellowed accident report, his hands shaking so violently he couldn't control them.