Chapter 1 - THE GLASS
The ballroom went silent the moment Sarah raised her phone.
Daniel stood beside the wedding table, one hand gripping the edge of the white linen cloth while the other pressed against his chest.
His face had gone pale.
Only seconds earlier, Sarah had slapped the champagne glass from his hand.
It shattered across the marble floor.
The bride, Vanessa Cole, had screamed for security.
Now two guards stood only feet away, uncertain whether to drag Sarah outside or wait for Daniel's command.
Sarah lifted her phone higher.
“I recorded it.”
Daniel stared at her.
“What did you put in my drink?”
Vanessa's expression changed for less than a second.
That second was enough.
“Daniel, listen to me.”
“Shut up.”
The sharpness of his voice made several guests turn toward Vanessa.
Sarah stepped closer.
“I worked for her first husband.”
Vanessa's face drained of color.
Daniel looked between them.
Sarah continued.
“Michael Crane did not die the way she told you.”
The bride recovered quickly.
“She is lying.”
Sarah unlocked her phone.
“Then you won't mind everyone hearing this.”
Vanessa lunged forward.
“Security!”
Daniel stepped between them.
“Don't touch her.”
Sarah pressed play.
At first, the recording contained only music from the reception.
Then Vanessa's voice became clear.
“Make sure he drinks from the glass with the gold ribbon.”
A man's voice answered.
“And after that?”
Vanessa spoke again.
“He'll feel sick before midnight.”
Someone in the ballroom gasped.
Daniel slowly looked toward his champagne glass.
It lay shattered on the floor.
The gold ribbon tied around its stem had fallen beside the broken crystal.
Vanessa shook her head.
“That isn't what it sounds like.”
Sarah stared at her.
“It sounds exactly like what happened eight years ago.”
Daniel's mother, Margaret, rose from the front table.
“Eight years ago?”
Sarah nodded.
“When Michael Crane died.”
Vanessa's eyes hardened.
“That man had a heart condition.”
“No.”
Sarah's voice was calm now.
“He had a wife who wanted everyone to believe he had a heart condition.”
Daniel stepped backward.
Vanessa reached for him.
He recoiled.
“Get away from me.”
For the first time that evening, Vanessa seemed frightened.
Not embarrassed.
Not angry.
Frightened.
Then one of the security guards touched his earpiece.
“Sir, there's another problem.”
Daniel turned.
“What?”
The guard looked toward the service hallway.
“The bartender who prepared your private champagne service is gone.”
Sarah's stomach dropped.
Vanessa whispered something under her breath.
Daniel heard it.
“What did you say?”
Vanessa looked toward the ballroom doors.
Sarah followed her gaze.
And suddenly understood.
Vanessa wasn't looking for an escape.
May you like
She was waiting for someone.
Three seconds later, every light in the ballroom went out.
