Chapter 3 - I Do Not
The chapel doors opened, and Nate watched Sloane walk toward him beneath a ceiling painted like a summer sky. Everyone rose. Cameras lifted. Her father dabbed at his eyes.
Nate remembered buying her soup when she was sick. Remembered her leaving an umbrella in his car so he would always have one. Remembered telling Rachel, after two years together, that he had finally found somebody who loved the man rather than the balance sheet.
Sloane reached the altar. She squeezed his hand. "You look terrified," she whispered sweetly.
"I learned something today."
"Then save it for our honeymoon."
The officiant welcomed their families. Behind the first row, Owen stood with his phone in his palm. Graham Pike occupied an aisle seat, his tie too neat and his expression too calm.
"Nathan," the officiant said, "do you take Sloane--"
"No."
A ripple passed through the room. The officiant blinked. Sloane laughed once, thinking it was a joke.
"Nate?"
He released her hand. "This morning I heard you tell Graham that you'd divorce me in six months. That you only wanted my money."
Someone dropped a program. Sloane's smile disappeared so quickly that Nate wondered how he'd ever trusted it.
"That's a disgusting lie," she said. "He's my accountant. We were discussing a client."
"You used my name. You called me a fool."
Her father rose. "That's enough."
Nate faced the guests. "I'm sorry you traveled here. There will be no wedding. Dinner is paid for. The rooms are covered. Nobody owes us anything."
Graham stood to leave. Owen stepped into the aisle, not touching him, only making it difficult to slip away unnoticed.
Sloane grabbed Nate's wrist hard enough to hurt. Her eyes shone with furious tears, but her voice was almost tender.
"You don't understand what you've done."
"I understand perfectly."
May you like
"Do you?" she whispered. "Because your sister's name is on documents she can't explain. And by the time anyone believes you, Rachel will be wearing handcuffs."
Nate looked up. Graham was already gone.
