Today is the wedding day of Leonardo Rhys and Emily Hart.
Yes, Emily Hart. Not Valerie Kessler.
I stare at the woman in the mirror in front of me. She isn't smiling on her so-called "happy" day.
How could she be? In just a few hours, she's about to marry the man who killed her father.
~~~~~
"Holy shit…"
I instantly sat upright. "What is it, Jun?"
Juno looked at me, hesitant. "Are you sure you want to read this now? You probably should… but if you're not ready—"
I snatched the file before she could finish her sentence.
Then I started reading, line by line.
This is…
"What the hell is this…" I muttered under my breath.
I glanced at Juno, who exchanged uneasy looks with Max. Then my eyes fell back to the paper in my trembling hands.
My fingers shook violently as I flipped through the pages. But no matter how much I tried to deny it, the evidence was too clear.
.
.
.
.
[Financial Statement – Q4]
Recipient: Heaven Foundation
Transaction Amount: ₳ 4,300,000
Authorized By: Leonardo Rhys
I turned to the next page.
[ORION-78: Charity Event Proposal – 2019]
Project Title: Heaven Foundation Annual Charity Gala
Purpose: Fundraising for orphanage expansion & medical aid programs
Total Funding Approved: ₳ 8,750,000
Primary Sponsor: Rhys Tech Corporation
Authorized By: Leonardo Rhys
.
.
.
.
I set the file down on the table. My whole body went weak.
"Uh, Val? Are you okay?" Max's voice sounded distant.
Juno picked up the file again. "See? We were right all along. Leo's the CEO, he has control over everything, so killing someone would be an easy—"
Max threw lipstick at her.
Juno cleared her throat, "I didn't mean it like that, Val… I'm sorry." She lowered her gaze.
I stood up. "It's fine, guys. It's nothing new. I mean, we've been suspecting this, right?"
I forced myself to sound steady, even though my voice trembled.
"I'm tired, let's talk again tomorrow." I said, then walked to my room before they could say anything else.
As soon as I closed the door, my body dropped on the floor.
All our suspicions were true. I knew it.
But I stupidly still couldn't stop my heart from pounding every time I saw him, the man who killed my father.
I pulled my wallet from my bag and took out a small photo of me and my dad on my graduation day.
"I'm so sorry, Dad… I should've been helping you… but instead I…"
Tears streamed down my cheeks before I could stop them.
Right, Valerie. Leo's a murderer.
He's clearly connected to the Orion project your father was investigating.
That's more than enough reason to kill him.
My eyes drifted to the ring on the nightstand, the same one I wore during my visit to the Rhys mansion.
Yes. You have to kill him.
~~~~~
A knock on the door snapped me back to the present.
I still couldn't shake off what happened a few days ago.
When I turned around, Leo was standing at the door. He wore a white suit, hair neatly slicked back. He looked really elegant.
Too bad that elegance couldn't hide the rot inside.
"What is it, Leo?"
"Uhm, I just wanted to make sure. Is your dad here yet?"
I swallowed hard. Right. My dad. You killed him.
I nodded. "Yeah, he's here."
Leo nodded and stepped closer, standing beside me as I sat down.
"Let's do our best today, as a couple who loves each other," he said, his sharp eyes locked on mine.
Something inside me had changed. His gaze and handsome face no longer made my heart race.
"Yes. Let's do our best."
Leo nodded, then left the room. Not long after, a staff member appeared at the door.
"Miss Emily, please get ready. You'll be walking down the aisle soon."
I nodded and stood up, staring at the stranger in the mirror.
It hadn't been long since I disguised myself as Emily Hart, but somehow, I felt like Emily had completely devoured Valerie Kessler.
I walked down the hallway and found a familiar older man waiting at the end.
"Are you Phil?"
He nodded and offered his arm. I looped mine through his.
"Your groom's a handsome one. If you were really my daughter, I'd brag about you both to everyone I know," Phil joked.
I laughed. "Well, I'm your daughter for today. So act like a proud dad."
He chuckled. "Tell Max I want steak for dinner, not the damn burger."
I smiled. "Sure, Phil. I'll tell her to get some for your wife and kid too."
We both laughed.
"And Phil, don't forget a little tear."
He nodded with a grin. "Got it."
Then we walked down the aisle together.
Never in my life did I think I'd end up here, marrying under a fake name, with a fake father, and with my father's killer.
"Ladies and gentlemen, we are gathered here today to witness the union of Leonardo Rhys and Emily Hart in marriage."
"Marriage is not just a bond between two people, but a promise to grow, to forgive, and to build a life together. Today, Leonardo and Emily have chosen to make that promise."
"Leonardo Rhys, do you take Emily Hart to be your lawfully wedded wife to love her, respect her, and stand by her, for better or worse, for as long as you both shall live?"
Leo looked at me. "I do." His voice was calm but firm.
"And do you, Emily Hart, take Leonardo Rhys to be your lawfully wedded husband to share your laughter, your burdens, and your dreams, from this day forward?"
My burdens?
I looked into Leo's eyes and forced a smile. "I do."
"Then by the power vested in me, I now pronounce you husband and wife."
Applause filled the room.
"You may now kiss your bride."
I glared at Leo, but within seconds his face was already close to mine.
Our kiss felt raw, empty, and impure. I hate to say this, but I nearly gagged.
Thankfully, it lasted only a second.
I smiled. Leo smiled wider, looking genuinely happy to have married me.
This is gonna be a long day…
~~~~~
A notification popped up on my phone. Max.
{How's Phil? Did he do a good job?}
{Yes. Get the old man some good food and put the bill on me.}
{Aye aye, captain.}
I chuckled.
{Max, thank you, for everything. And thank you too, Juno. You girls are the best.}
Leo suddenly cleared his throat. "Who are you texting?"
I quickly turned off my phone and looked out the window. "My friends. They couldn't make it today."
"I see."
After that, silence filled the car until we arrived at a large house, not as big as the Rhys mansion, but still big enough.
"Where are we?" I asked.
"My house."
"Oh. I thought you lived with your parents."
"No. Only Nathan did." He said as he stepped out of the car.
I followed him out as he grabbed our luggage.
This was my first time here, and honestly, Leo's house looked… different than I imagined.
White walls, lush green plants, everything clean, simple, minimalist.
"Your house is… beautiful," I said before realizing it.
"You think so?"
I cleared my throat and nodded.
Leo turned to me, pointing around. "That's my bedroom, bathroom, kitchen, living room, TV room, and yours."
"Your house is all one floor?" I asked, curious.
"Yes. Why? Too small for you?"
I shook my head. God, I was just trying to make small talk.
Then my eyes landed on a door he hadn't mentioned. "What about that one?" I pointed.
Leo followed my gaze, then looked back at me sharply. "That's off-limits. My workspace."
Off-limits, huh?
"Now go rest in your room. Oh, and don't tell Erina you're sleeping there," Leo added before heading into his room.
"Wait, who's Erina?"
But he didn't turn back. The door shut with a soft click.
Ugh. What a psycho.
I dragged my suitcase to my room. It was spacious, with an en-suite bathroom. Everything, again, was white.
Are we in the White House or something?
I laughed quietly at my own thought, then flopped onto the bed.
Today was exhausting. Smiling at strangers, clinging to Leo like I actually loved him.
Ughhh.
I grabbed my phone and typed Heaven Foundation.
It wasn't the first time I'd searched about it, but no matter how deep I dug online, there was nothing suspicious.
Heaven Foundation was just a charity for orphans and underprivileged kids. And not only Rhys Tech, many other corporations were tied to it.
So then… Why was my father so sure something was wrong with this project?