I peeked around the corner.

Ethan Cole, my sister’s new husband, was smoothing the lapels of his white dinner jacket.

Vanessa leaned against the wall, her heavy silk train gathered in one hand.

“Are you sure the paper trail leads directly to her?” she asked.

“Every single dollar,” Ethan said, a slow smile spreading across his face. “By the time the cake is cut, the police will be here with a warrant for your sister’s arrest.”

“Good,” Vanessa said. “She’s always looked down on us. Now she can explain her missing millions to a judge.”

The betrayal hit me like a physical blow to the chest.

My own sister and the man she was marrying had systematically set me up to take the fall for their financial crimes.

They were going to ruin my life in front of everyone we knew.

I backed away slowly, my heels making no sound on the thick carpet.

I slipped into an empty bridal prep suite and locked the door behind me.

My hands shook so hard I could barely grip my phone.

There was only one person in Chicago who had the resources and the power to help me stand a chance against them.

I dialed a number I had memorized but hadn’t called in two years.

The line rang twice before a deep, calm voice answered.

“Claire?” Gabriel Vale said.

“Gabriel, I need your help,” I whispered, pressing my hand against my forehead.

“What’s wrong? You sound terrified.”

“They framed me,” I said, tears finally spilling over my eyelashes. “Ethan and Vanessa. They forged my signature on a multi-million dollar theft. They’ve called the police to the wedding.”

There was a brief pause on the other end of the line, the sound of papers rustling.

“I’m already in my car,” Gabriel said, his tone shifting into something hard and protective. “Do not speak to anyone, Claire. Do not leave the hotel.”