Chapter two: The Groom knew

You were there the night my father died.

Liam’s words cut through the applause.

Ava stared at him beneath the lifted veil.

The priest was still smiling. The guests were clapping. Cameras flashed from every direction.

But Liam no longer looked like a groom.

He looked like a man who had finally found the person he had been searching for.

Ava’s fingers curled around the bouquet.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

His eyes moved to the scar above her eyebrow. " You had the same scar."

“What scar?”

“The one you got outside my father’s study.”

Ava’s throat tightened.

She remembered that night.

She had been fourteen.  Father had taken her and Clara to the Blackwood estate for a family dinner. The adults had argued behind closed doors while the girls waited in the hallway. Ava had heard shouting. Then Ava had heard shouting.

Then she had seen smoke.

She had run toward the study, slipped on the marble floor, and hit her head against the corner of a table.

The next thing she remembered was her father dragging her outside while flames spread behind the windows.

She had been told that Liam’s father died from a heart attack that night.

She had never seen Liam.

At least, she thought she had not.

“You’re mistaken,” she whispered.

Liam lowered the veil, hiding her face from the cameras.

“No. I’m not.”

The priest shifted uncomfortably.

“Mr. Blackwood, perhaps we should—”

“continue,” Liam said.

Ava looked at him in disbelief.

“You want to continue?”

“You’re already standing here.”

“You know I’m not Clara.”

“I knew before you reached the altar.”

“Then why are you doing this?”

“Because if this ceremony stops, my uncle gets exactly what he wants.”

“And what does he want?”

“My company. My family’s money. And the woman who knows how he killed my father.”

Ava stared at him.

The priest cleared his throat again.

“Should we proceed with the kiss?”

Liam did not look away from her.

“Yes.”

Ava stepped back. " No."

His hand caught her waist before she could move.

From the guests’ point of view, he was pulling her close for a romantic kiss.

His fingers pressed into her side.

“If you run now,” he murmured, “your mother’s surgery will be canceled before the hospital opens tomorrow.”

Ava’s anger flashed through her fear.

“You don’t get to use my mother against me.”

"Neither does your father.”

“What does he have to do with your father’s death?”

Liam’s jaw tightened.

“Ask him.”

“I’ve been asking him all night. He keeps lying.”

“So you admit you know something.”

“I know my father is forcing me to marry you because Clara is missing.”

“Did Clara tell you to come here?”

“No.”

“Did your father tell you where she went?”

“He said he didn’t know.”

Liam’s eyes hardened.

“He always lies when the truth can cost him.”

Before Ava could answer, the priest spoke loudly.

“You may kiss the bride.”

The room erupted in cheers.

Liam lowered his face.

Ava turned her head at the last second, so his lips touched the corner of her mouth instead.

The guests cheered even louder.

Liam pulled back.

Ava wiped her mouth with the back of her hand.

His expression turned dangerous.

“Don’t make a scene.”

“You threatened my mother.”

“You’re alive because I’m keeping this wedding quiet.”

“You’re keeping it quiet because you need something from me.”

“Correct.”

At that moment, the wedding coordinator hurried toward them with a nervous smile.

“Mr. Blackwood, the press is waiting for photographs outside.”

Liam nodded.

“Tell them the bride is overwhelmed. We’ll give them five minutes.”

The coordinator left.

Ava tried to pull away, but Liam kept one hand around her waist.

“Let go of me.”

“ Then you should smile.”

“I’m not smiling.”

“Then pretend.”

He turned them toward the cameras.

Ava forced her lips upward while Liam’s mouth moved close to her ear.

“If you expose yourself as a fraud, the hospital will receive one phone call. Your mother’s payment guarantee will disappear.”

“You planned this.”

“I planned to marry Clara.”

“You knew she would run?”

“I knew she was afraid.”

“Afraid of you?”

“No.”

“Then who?”

Liam looked toward the ballroom entrance.

His uncle, Victor Blackwood, stood among the guests with a glass of champagne in his hand. He was smiling, but his eyes were fixed on Ava.

Ava recognized him from the newspapers.

Victor had the calm face of a man who never got blamed for anything.

“Your uncle?” she asked.

“Don’t look at him.”

“Why?”

“Because he’s watching to see if you know where Clara is.”

Ava’s fake smile disappeared.

Liam pulled her closer.

“Smile,” he repeated.

She turned her face toward the cameras.

“Why would he think I know?”

“Because Clara spoke to you before she disappeared.”

Ava said nothing. Lian noticed.

“What did she tell you?”

“Nothing.”

“Another lie.”

“You’re very sure of yourself.”

“I have spent two years studying your sister.”

“And you still chose to marry her?”

“Your sister wasn’t the woman I chose.”

Ava glanced at him.

“What does that mean?”

“It means this marriage was arranged before either of us had a choice.”

“Then why look so angry that she left?”

“Because she took something that belongs to me.”

“What?”

Liam’s expression turned cold.

“Company files.”

Ava remembered the message from Clara.

Liam knows what happened to Mom.

“What kind of files?”

“Financial records.”

“Why would Clara steal from you?”

“That’s what I intend to find out.”

“Maybe she stole them because you threatened her too.”

“I never threatened Clara.”

“You threatened my mother in front of a priest.”

“Your mother has nothing to do with this.”

“Then why did you say her surgery would be canceled?”

Liam’s eyes lowered to her hand.

The ring on her finger was too large. It had been chosen for Clara.

“Because someone has already used your mother as leverage.”

Ava felt the anger in her chest weaken.

“What do you mean?”

“Your father made a payment guarantee using Blackwood funds. He promised the hospital that the money would be transferred after tonight’s ceremony.”

“He said the money came from him.”

“Your father doesn’t have that kind of money.”

Ava looked toward the ballroom doors.

Her father stood there, avoiding her eyes.

Liam leaned closer.

“Did he tell you where he got the money for your mother’s treatment?”

“He didn't say anything to me.”

“Did he tell you why Clara disappeared?”

“No.”

“Then stop protecting people who keep putting you in danger.”

Ava pushed his hand away.

“You don’t know anything about my family.”

“I know your father has been meeting my uncle for months.”

The statement hit her harder than she expected.

“Victor?”

Liam took a phone from his pocket and opened a photograph.

It showed Ava’s father stepping out of a black car.

Victor was standing beside him.

The image had been taken outside a private office three days earlier.

Ava stared at the screen.

“That could be anyone.”

“It’s your father.”

“Why would he meet Victor?”

“You should ask him..”

“You keep saying that.”

“Because he is your father and  you keep defending him.

“I’m not defending anyone. I’m trying to understand why everyone is lying to me.”

For the first time, something shifted in Liam’s face.

He looked at her as though he understood that feeling.

But it disappeared almost immediately.

The wedding coordinator returned.

“Mr. Blackwood, the guests are ready for the toast.”

Liam slid the phone back into his pocket.

Ava grabbed his arm.

“You said Clara stole company files. What did they contain?”

Liam looked down at her fingers.

“Proof that someone inside Blackwood Holdings has been moving money.”

“Is the money that much?”

“Twenty million dollars.”

Ava’s hand fell away.

“That’s impossible.”

“Why?”

“Because my mother was blamed for stealing from your company.”

Liam’s face changed.

Only slightly.

But Ava saw it.

“You know about that?”

“I know your mother worked for Blackwood Holdings.”

“She was accused of stealing.”

“Was she innocent?”

Ava’s eyes burned.

“My mother spent twelve years being called a thief. She lost her job, her friends, and her health because of your family’s lies.”

“Your mother signed the transfer documents.”

“She won't sign on her own; she was forced.”

“Do you know who forced her?”

“I don’t know.”

“Then neither of us knows the truth.”

The music changed. The guests began moving toward the reception hall.

Liam turned to leave.

Ava grabbed his sleeve.

“I want to see the files.”

“You’re not in a position to make demands.”

“I just married you.”

“You married me under false identity.”

“Because your payment was the only thing keeping my mother alive.”

“Then you understand why I need your cooperation.”

“I’ll cooperate after I see the files.”

Liam studied her for a long moment.

“Fine.”

“Now?”

“After the reception.”

“I’m not attending a reception.”

“You are.”

“I’m not smiling beside you while you accuse my mother of stealing.”

“You’ll smile, dance, and let the guests believe this marriage is real.”

“And if I refuse?”

“You know what will happen next”

Ava wanted to slap him again.

Instead, she forced herself to breathe.

Liam offered his arm.

She ignored it.

He reached for her hand.

She let him take it only because the cameras were still pointed at them.

As they walked toward the reception hall, Ava noticed Victor moving in the opposite direction.

He passed close enough to speak.

“Congratulations, Clara.”

Ava looked at him.

His smile was pleasant.

His eyes were not.

“Thank you,” she replied.

Victor glanced at Liam.

“You look happy, nephew.”

Liam’s grip tightened around Ava’s hand.

“Don’t start tonight.”

Victor chuckled.

“I’m only offering my congratulations.”

“You’ve done enough.”

Victor’s gaze returned to Ava.

“Your sister is a lucky woman.”

Ava felt a chill move over her skin.

Before she could respond, Liam pulled her away.

“What was that about?” she asked.

“Nothing.”

“He knew I wasn’t Clara.”

“He noticed.”

“Everyone is noticing.”

“Then the only way is to act like your sister.”

“I don’t know how she acts.”

“Neither do I anymore.”

They entered the reception hall.

A band played near the stage. Waiters moved through the crowd with champagne. Guests turned to stare as Liam led Ava to the center of the room.

The first dance began.

Ava stood stiffly while Liam placed one hand on her waist and after a while, the song ended. Ava could only wish the ground open and swallow her

Liam lowered his mouth near her ear.

“We’re leaving now.”

“Why?”

“ the board members are here.”

“So?”

“So they’re waiting to see whether I control my wife.”

“I’m not your wife.”

“Legally, you are.”

“Not in any way that matters.”

His eyes rested on her mouth.

“Be careful.”

Ava stepped back.

“Don’t look at me like that.”

“Like what?”

“Like you’re trying to decide whether to kiss me or threaten me.”

“Maybe I’m deciding both.”

Her heartbeat stumbled, and she hated herself for it.

Liam seemed to notice.

Then his phone rang.

He answered without taking his eyes off her.

“What?”

He listened. The colour drain from his face.

Ava watched him straighten.

“Send the photograph to my phone,” he said. “No one touches anything until I arrive.”

He ended the call.

“What just happened?” she asked.

“Clara was seen leaving the hotel.”

“What! Where?”

“Through the service entrance.”

“Then she’s alive?”

“She was alive when the photograph was taken.”

" Alive when the photograph was taken?"

Liam pulled out his phone and showed her the image.

Clara was walking quickly through a narrow back exit. She wore a dark coat and held a black folder against her chest.

A man followed behind her.

His face was hidden beneath a cap.

Ava’s hands began to shake.

“Who is that?”

“I don’t know.”

“Then why are you still standing here?”

Liam looked at her.

“Because you’re coming with me.”

“I’m not going anywhere with you.”

He turned the phone toward her again.

At the bottom of the image, Clara had dropped something.

A small silver bracelet.

Ava recognized it immediately. Clara wore it everyday.

“She dropped that,” Ava whispered.

“Or someone left it there.”

“What does that mean?”

“It means your sister may not have run away.”

Ava looked at the man following Clara.

The photograph had been taken before she arrived at the hotel.

Before the wedding.

Before she put on the dress.

Someone had been following Clara long before Ava was forced to take her place.

Her phone vibrated beneath the dress.

Ava pulled it out.

Another message had arrived from Clara’s number.

This time, there was no text.

Only a photograph.

It showed Clara sitting in a dark room with one hand pressed against her mouth.

Her eyes were wide with fear.

Ava’s breath caught.

Then a second message appeared.

Ava looked up at him.

He was watching her face.

“What did she send you?” he asked.

“Nothing.”

He took one step closer.

“Ava.”

She froze.

It was the first time he had called her by her name. Not Clara.

Ava.

Before she could hide the phone, a final message appeared.

Ava’s eyes moved to Liam.

He reached for the phone.

She pulled it against her chest.

His expression darkened.

“Give it to me.”

“Why?”

“Because Clara is trying to manipulate you.”

“Or she’s trying to warn me.”

“She has lied to both of us.”

“ She's my sister. Maybe you’re the one lying.”

Liam’s face went still.

Behind them, the band stopped playing.

The reception hall fell quiet.

Every guest turned toward them.

Liam stepped closer until only a few inches separated them.

His voice dropped.

“You have no idea what you’ve just stepped into.”

Ava held his stare.

“Then tell me.”

“I will.”

“When?”

“After you sign the marriage agreement.”

Ava’s eyes widened.

“What marriage agreement?”

Liam took a folded document from inside his jacket and placed it in her hand.

“Welcome to my family, Ava.”

She looked down at the first page.

At the top was her name.

Not Clara’s.

Ava Hart. 

And beneath it, in bold letters, were the words:

Temporary Marriage and Confidentiality Agreement.