“I just wanted to see my beautiful bride,” I said, ignoring the barb and reaching out to adjust her veil.
She pulled away slightly. “Careful, Mom. Your hands are shaking. You’ll snag the lace.”
Marcus stepped forward, flashing a smile that didn’t reach his eyes. “Eleanor! You look… distinct. The setup is decent. Though, frankly, the string quartet looks a bit… budget. We were hoping for something more modern.”
“They are the New York Philharmonic’s lead strings, Marcus,” I said dryly.
“Right, well,” Marcus checked his Patek Philippe watch—a watch I knew he couldn’t afford on his own. “Actually, Eleanor, can we steal you for a second? Just over by the catering tent? We have a little… business to discuss before the vows.”
“Business?” I asked. “On your wedding day?”
“It’s about our future,” Lydia said, linking her arm through Marcus’s. “Come on, Mom. Don’t be dramatic.”
I followed them into the shade of the massive white tent, away from the prying eyes of the guests. The air inside was cool, smelling of lilies and money.
I didn’t know it yet, but I was walking into my own execution.
Chapter 2: The Poisoned Contract
The noise of the ocean was muffled inside the tent. Marcus turned to face me, and the mask of the charming son-in-law dropped instantly. His face became hard, cold, and calculating—a look men often give women they believe they can intimidate.
“Let’s cut to the chase, Eleanor,” Marcus said, his voice smooth. “Lydia and I have been talking. We have big plans. My tech startup is ready to launch, and we want to buy a penthouse in Manhattan. The ‘starter home’ you offered us in Greenwich isn’t going to cut it.”
I blinked, confused. “The Greenwich house is a six-bedroom estate, Marcus. It’s worth five million dollars. It’s where I raised Lydia.”
“It’s in the suburbs,” Lydia interjected, rolling her eyes. “It’s boring, Mom. It smells like old potpourri and memories. We want to be in the city. We want the penthouse at One57.”
“That’s a fifty-million-dollar property,” I said, trying to keep my voice calm. “And Marcus, your ‘startup’ hasn’t produced a single product in three years. You’re bleeding cash.”
