Olivia’s eyes filled, but no tears fell.
“I loved you.”
Michael flinched.
“You removed my mother from our wedding.”
“She was going to ruin everything.”
“She was paying for everything.”
“She would have controlled us.”
“She never asked to control me.”
Olivia’s gaze moved to the contracts lying in Daniel’s open folder.
Michael noticed.
“What did you have me sign?”
Olivia’s silence answered before she could speak.
Clara looked at Daniel.
He pulled another document from the envelope.
“A prenuptial agreement,” he said. “And a power of attorney. The power of attorney gives Olivia control over Michael’s accounts, his inheritance, and any property he acquires after the marriage.”
Michael stared at the pages.
“I thought it was only a standard agreement.”
“You signed it yesterday,” Olivia said quickly. “It protects both of us.”
“It gives you everything.”
“I was trying to protect our future.”
Daniel turned the document over.
“Except the notary stamp is false.”
Olivia’s face went blank.
One of the guests whispered her name.
Daniel continued.
“The notary listed here died six months ago. The witness signature belongs to Peter Hale.”
Michael looked at the doorway.
“Where is he?”
As if summoned by the question, a commotion rose outside the ballroom. Two uniformed officers entered with a man between them. Peter Hale was shorter than Daniel, with a broad face and silver hair combed neatly over his scalp. He wore the same expensive suit Clara had heard through the apartment door.
His eyes went directly to Olivia.
