Chapter 9 - Marianne Discovers the Wedding
Marianne did not know we were getting married.
Sabine told her:
“Rainier and I are together.”
That much was true.
When Marianne asked:
“Engaged?”
Sabine said:
“We’re discussing the future.”
Technically evasive.
Morally dishonest.
Twelve days before the ceremony, Marianne used a tablet in the rehabilitation center library.
She searched my name.
The wedding announcement appeared immediately.
RAINIER VALE TO WED SABINE HARTWELL SATURDAY.
Marianne stared at the screen.
Then called Julia.
“Did you know?”
“No.”
Julia stopped trusting Sabine entirely.
She contacted Caleb Ross.
Then attempted to reach me through my current office.
Marianne herself called once.
A junior assistant answered.
“My name is Marianne Vale.”
The assistant had been trained for false-identity calls connected to my missing wife.
He transferred her to security.
Security asked verification questions.
Marianne became overwhelmed.
Her speech slowed under stress.
She hung up.
The employee felt guilty afterward.
I told him not to.
He followed the protocol I had approved.
A protocol designed to protect me from false claims blocked the truth when it finally arrived.
Julia changed strategy.
No more calls.
Go physically.
Marianne decided she would attend the wedding venue before the ceremony.
Not storm the altar.
Ask security to bring me privately.
Bring identification records.
Have Julia available by phone.
Caleb volunteered to drive.
Traffic delayed them.
By the time they arrived, guests were inside.
One of my security officers had worked for me before Marianne disappeared.
He saw her.
Stopped.
Then whispered:
“Mrs. Vale?”
Marianne said:
“I need Rainier.”
He called Nathan.
Nathan came to the entrance.
He recognized her too.
They were discussing how to remove me from the ballroom quietly when Melusine screamed.
Marianne heard her daughter.
May you like
Nothing could have kept her outside after that.
Nathan opened the ballroom doors.
