There was no explosive.
There was something more deliberate.
Inside lay a stolen Navy access badge, a military encrypted drive, and a palm-sized transmitter broadcasting beneath the velvet lining.
Ethan’s jaw tightened.
Vanessa turned toward our parents. “I’ve never seen those things before.”
I stepped out from behind the column, my veil trembling against my shoulders.
“That’s strange,” I said softly. “Because the transmitter was purchased with your company card.”
For the first time in my life, my sister looked at me without contempt.
She looked afraid.
The police separated us before Vanessa could create a better lie.
My parents followed her into a private lounge, shouting about lawyers, reputations, and how I had “ruined my own wedding.”
Ethan stayed beside me while federal agents photographed the box.
“Tell me everything,” he said.
