Chapter 5 - The Secret Unraveled
The microphone in Arthur’s hand issued a sharp, piercing whine of feedback that vibrated through the silent room.
Arthur stood completely frozen, his arm still awkwardly extended in mid-air, his eyes darting frantically from Daniel to me, then back to Daniel.
"Your... your what?" Arthur whispered, his voice echoing off the vaulted ceilings.
"My wife," Daniel repeated. His tone was smooth, quiet, and loaded with lethal precision.
Beside Arthur, Allison let out a sharp, hysterical laugh, stepping forward from the head table, her bridal train trailing behind her.
"Mr. Reyes, please!" Allison said, her voice shrill with desperate confusion. "You must be mistaken! That’s my older sister, Nora! She’s single! She doesn't even have a boyfriend! She lives in a tiny studio apartment!"
Daniel slowly turned his head to look at Allison. The utter coldness in his eyes made her freeze mid-step, the smile dying on her face instantly.
"I am well aware of who she is, Miss Hayes," Daniel said coldly. "She is Dr. Nora Reyes. Senior Curator of Historical Preservation, graduate of Columbia University, and the sole owner of the Reyes Family Estate in Manhattan."
Daniel reached into the inner breast pocket of his tuxedo coat. He pulled out a sleek, leather-bound document folder, opened it, and held it up directly in front of Arthur's face.
Inside, protected by a clear plastic sleeve, was an official, state-stamped Marriage Certificate dated July 14th, three years ago.
Bride: Nora Eleanor Hayes. Groom: Daniel Alexander Reyes.
"We have been legally, blissfully married for thirty-six months," Daniel stated, sliding the folder back into his jacket. "My wife chose to keep our marriage private because she had the grace and dignity to spare you from your own embarrassment. She didn't want your failing logistics company leeching off my firm’s resources."
A loud, collective gasp rippled through the four hundred guests.
"Thirty-six months?!" an investor near the front row gasped. "Nora Hayes has been married to Reyes Global for three years?!"
"My God," another woman whispered loudly. "Arthur pushed the wife of Daniel Reyes into a fountain?!"
Julian Sterling’s face turned completely white. He practically grabbed Allison by her shoulders, dragging her back.
"Julian, what is happening?!" Allison whimpered, tears finally brimming in her eyes as she looked at her groom. "Why is she married to him?!"
"Shut up, Allison!" Julian hissed in a panic, his teeth chattering. "Do you have any idea who he is?! My father’s medical company is currently negotiating a two-hundred-million-dollar buyout with Reyes Capital! If Daniel Reyes walks away, my family goes bankrupt by next month!"
Julian immediately shoved past Allison, practically sprinting over to Daniel and bowing his head in deep, groveling desperation.
"Mr. Reyes! Mr. Reyes, please!" Julian stammered, his hands clasped together like a beggar. "I had no idea! I swear on my life, I had no part in what happened at the fountain! I didn't touch her! I didn't laugh! I didn't know!"
Daniel didn't even grant Julian a glance. His eyes remained locked on Arthur Hayes, who looked like he was having a physical heart attack.
Arthur dropped his scotch glass. The crystal shattered against the white marble floor, amber liquid soaking into his expensive pants.
"Nora..." Arthur gasped, his voice trembling violently as he reached toward me. "Nora, baby... why didn't you tell me?! Why didn't you tell your father you were married to Mr. Reyes?!"
May you like
I took one slow step forward, standing shoulder-to-shoulder with Daniel, looking down at the man who had spent thirty-two years making me feel worthless.
"Because, Arthur," I said, my voice echoing clear as a bell across the quiet ballroom, "you never asked."
