Chapter 5
The groom took one step backward.
The bride looked at him.
“Daniel?”
He didn't answer.
Adria's mind raced.
Callum was not a child who invented stories for attention.
He had never enjoyed lying.
Still, Adria knew that an accusation was serious.
She knelt beside him.
“Callum, are you sure?”
He nodded.
His voice shook.
“I saw him.”
“Where?”
“Near the table.”
“When?”
Callum looked toward the head table.
“Before Grandma came.”
Bernice suddenly snapped.
“That's enough.”
Adria turned.
“No.”
Bernice stared at Callum.
“You're frightened and confused.”
Callum's lower lip trembled.
“I saw him.”
Bernice stepped toward him.
Adria immediately blocked her.
“Stay away from him.”
Bernice stopped.
Daniel looked increasingly uncomfortable.
The bride stared at him.
“Daniel,” she whispered, “did you take my ring?”
“No.”
The answer came too quickly.
Callum looked at him.
Adria noticed.
Daniel's hand moved toward his jacket.
Then stopped.
Adria's eyes followed the movement.
Daniel noticed her watching.
He lowered his hand.
The bride looked at him.
“Empty your pockets.”
Daniel stared at her.
“What?”
“Empty your pockets.”
The room became painfully quiet.
Daniel's face tightened.
“I don't have it.”
“Then prove it.”
Bernice stepped forward.
“This is absurd.”
Adria turned toward her.
“Is it?”
Bernice said nothing.
The bride's eyes remained fixed on her groom.
“Daniel.”
May you like
He swallowed.
Slowly, he reached toward his tuxedo.
