Chapter 4: The Lies At The Engagement Party
Megan cried during her toast at the engagement party, and everyone believed she was touched.
Nora stood beside Caleb under soft lights and watched her best friend perform devotion.
The small rented hall smelled of white roses, citrus candles, and expensive frosting.
Guests held champagne glasses.
Caleb held Nora’s waist with the same hand that had signed hidden charges.
Megan stood near the microphone in a pale blue dress Nora had helped pay for.
“Nora is the kindest person I know,” Megan said, voice trembling beautifully.
“She has always been there for me.”
Nora looked at Megan’s necklace.
A thin gold chain.
Small diamond pendant.
New.
Very new.
Nora had seen a jewellery deposit in the wedding account two nights before.
The date matched Megan’s last “medical emergency.”
Caleb leaned close. “She loves you,” he whispered.
Nora looked at his face.
He was smiling at Megan with a softness he had stopped giving Nora months ago.
The photographer moved near the stage.
Nora touched his sleeve when he passed.
“Please get more candid shots tonight,” she said.
“Of everyone?”
“Especially Caleb and Megan.”
The photographer nodded, confused but professional.
Megan continued her toast.
“She is not just my friend. She is family.”
The room made soft sounds.
People loved pretty loyalty when it came with tears.
Nora raised her glass and smiled.
Her face felt steady.
That was good.
A guilty person feared tears.
They did not fear a bride who looked grateful while collecting evidence.
After the toast, Megan hugged her too tightly.
“You are quiet tonight,” Megan whispered.
“I am listening,” Nora said.
Megan pulled back.
For one second, her smile faltered.
Then Caleb appeared beside them and handed Megan a napkin.
He did it without asking.
He knew she hated mascara under her left eye.
Nora had never told him that.
Megan took the napkin like accepting it from him was normal.
The photographer’s camera clicked.
Nora heard it.
Good.
Later, Caleb danced with Nora for one song and watched Megan over her shoulder.
Megan laughed with guests but kept finding reasons to pass near him.
A hand on his arm.
A private smile.
A whisper near the bar.
Each one small enough to deny.
Each one large enough to count.
When the party ended, Nora went to the office to settle the final balance.
Anna Brooks, the venue manager, closed the door behind her.
She looked nervous.
“Miss Ellis, may I ask you something directly?”
Nora’s stomach tightened. “Yes.”
Anna opened a folder.
“Your maid of honour asked us to bill a private room to your wedding account.”
Nora did not blink.
Anna lowered her voice. “And Mr Turner signed approval.”
Nora looked at the copies on the desk.
The receipt had not lied.
It had only been the beginning.