Vanessa took two fast, heavy steps toward us, her expensive veil trailing over the shiny tiles. The sweet smile she wore for my family was completely wiped from her face.
David: Stay right there, Vanessa.
Vanessa: David, darling, don't listen to a confused little kid. He got into my personal work belongings!
Toby: I didn't steal it! It fell out of your purse while you were screaming at that man!
Vanessa: Shut your mouth, you little brat!
The venom in her voice hit me like a slap across the cheek. She had never spoken to anyone in my family like that, especially not Toby.
David: Watch your tongue. You're talking to my nephew.
Vanessa: He's lying! He's always hated me because he knows you're going to focus on our future family now instead of babysitting him!
Toby: She told the man on the phone that the estate papers were already signed, Uncle David. She said the trust fund was almost hers!
My fingers tightened around the little black flash drive until the edges dug into my skin.
David: The trust fund? Why would you be discussing my family trust fund with anyone?
Vanessa: It's business, David! You know I manage commercial property investments. I was talking to my portfolio broker!
David: Toby doesn't even know what the words 'estate' or 'trust fund' mean unless he heard them directly out of your mouth.
Vanessa: You're going to ruin our wedding day over a child's imagination? The minister is waiting! Your mother is sitting in the front row!
My best man, Mark, stepped out of the groom's suite holding a glass of water.
Mark: Hey, everything alright out here? We've got five minutes before the organ starts.
David: Mark, do you have your laptop inside?
Mark: Yeah, the work laptop is on the desk. Why?
Vanessa: David, no! Don't you dare humiliate me on my wedding day!
She lunged forward, her French-manicured nails clawing toward my hand to snatch the drive.
I stepped back swiftly, shielding Toby behind my legs.
David: Mark, take Toby into the room. Lock the side door behind you.
Mark: David, what is going on?
David: Just take him. Now.
Mark grabbed Toby's hand gently, glancing nervously between Vanessa's furious red face and my cold stare.
Toby: Don't let her delete it, Uncle David! It has my mom's name on it!
The door clicked shut, leaving just Vanessa and me standing under the crystal chandeliers.
Vanessa: You are being totally ridiculous. You're throwing away our entire life together over nothing.
David: If it's nothing, why are your hands shaking?
Vanessa: Because I'm furious! A woman deserves trust on her wedding day!
David: Trust is earned, Vanessa. And right now, you look terrified.
I turned toward the door of the suite without giving her another second to spin her web.
Vanessa: If you walk into that room with that drive, this wedding is off!
I stopped at the brass handle, glancing back over my shoulder.
David: If what Toby said is true, the wedding was never real to begin with.
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