The Wedding That Never Happened
Chapter 04 - The Wedding That Never Happened
Police surrounded the Golden Vow venue before Derek could leave. He had tried to collect the frozen wedding deposits in cash, then forced his way into the manager’s office. Officers stopped his car at the exit.
The leather folder contained forged signatures from three other families. Ava’s trust was not his first target.
By midnight, the bank recovered most of the stolen money. The remaining cost of Ava’s treatment was covered by an emergency hospital charity after Lena brought the case directly to its director. Ava’s rehabilitation would continue without interruption.
Melissa sat across from Ethan in the waiting room, her white dress wrinkled and stained with tears.
“I kept telling myself we would replace it,” she said. “Every time I questioned him, he said you wanted me to fail.”
“You ignored Ava when she warned you.”
Melissa looked down. “She saw Derek copying your signature. She tried to tell me. I told her not to create drama before the wedding.”
Ethan’s anger rose, but Ava needed stability more than shouting.
“You will tell the police everything,” he said. “You will sign temporary custody to me, and you will not ask Ava to protect you.”
Melissa nodded.
Near dawn, Lena rushed from Ava’s room.
“She’s awake.”
Ethan ran inside. Ava looked tiny beneath the blankets, but her eyes followed him. He placed Sunny beside her.
“Did you find the key?” she whispered.
“I did.”
“Are you mad at Mom?”
“I’m angry about what happened,” he said, taking her hand. “But none of it is your fault.”
Tears filled Ava’s eyes. “Derek said you would stop loving me if the money was gone.”
Ethan leaned closer. “Money can disappear. Love doesn’t.”
Melissa stood in the doorway, covering her mouth. Ava reached weakly toward her, and Melissa stepped forward.
Before she entered, a police officer arrived.
“Derek confessed to the forgery,” he said. “But he claims Melissa planned the withdrawals.”
Melissa froze.
The investigator played a new recording recovered from Derek’s car. Melissa could be heard approving the wedding payments—but another voice interrupted. It was Ava, asking why her name was on the papers.
Then came the sound of Derek threatening to send Ethan away if she told anyone.
Melissa began to sob. “I heard that conversation. I walked away.”
Ethan looked at her with stunned silence.
She had not designed Derek’s scheme.
But when her daughter needed protection, she had chosen not to see the truth.
Melissa signed the custody papers that morning.
Her wedding was canceled.
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And Ava’s first request after waking was simple:
“Can Dad take me home when I’m better?”
