MY BROTHER CALLED, “PLEASE, DON’T COME TO MY WEDDING.” “WHY?” I ASKED. HE SMIRKED “I DON’T WANT PEOPLE TO KNOW YOU’RE JUST A CLEANER.”

Daniel that DMR Strategies was under investigation for fraud and commercial bribery.

My phone started vibrating at 8:47.

Lauren.

Then Dad.

Then Mom.

Then Daniel.

By 9:30, I had forty-one missed calls.

By noon, ninety-four.

The final voicemail came from my mother, sobbing.

“Claire… please. Don’t do this.”

I listened once.

Then I put on my coat and drove to work.

Part 3

I did not attend the wedding.

There was no wedding left to attend.

By afternoon, guests stood outside the Vale Grand ballroom while staff removed