The Reports Written Before the Wedding
Chapter 04 - The Reports Written Before the Wedding
Julian’s briefcase contained six behavioral reports about Sophie.
They described lying, theft, jealousy, property destruction, and threats against the wedding.
The author was Dr. Paul Keller, a family therapist Julian recommended three months earlier.
Amanda had met Keller once.
Sophie supposedly attended weekly sessions with Julian or the nanny.
The final report recommended immediate placement at Hartwell Academy, a private residential treatment school.
Its date was the previous afternoon.
The report described Sophie spilling red liquid on the wedding agreement and stealing the heirloom ring.
The wedding had not happened yet.
Amanda read the paragraph twice.
The accusation had been written before the scene was staged.
Julian reached for the report.
Naomi took it first.
“This is evidence.”
Julian’s mother, Victoria Mercer, left the front row and approached the table.
She wore a silver gown and carried herself with cold certainty.
“Amanda, please think carefully. Julian has spent months managing Sophie’s instability while you planned this wedding.”
Amanda turned.
“You knew about Hartwell?”
Victoria’s silence answered.
Sophie whispered into Amanda’s dress.
“They said you would stop loving me after today.”
May you like
Amanda closed her eyes.
Every expensive wedding detail suddenly looked like camouflage around a legal deadline.
