Chapter 5 - The Wedding That Was Never Going to Happen|
Luca stared at the financial statement as though it belonged to a stranger.
The transfer had been approved under his name.
The amount was four hundred thousand dollars.
And the destination was an account now connected to Westridge Holdings.
"Explain this," Olivia signed.
I translated.
Luca rubbed his forehead.
"I authorized Richard to settle several outstanding business obligations after Father's death."
He looked directly at his sister.
"But I never authorized him to take money from your inheritance."
Olivia studied his face.
Then she signed again.
Did you read what you signed?
The question hung between them.
Finally, Luca shook his head.
"No."
I had never heard him admit a mistake so openly.
Olivia looked away.
Her disappointment was more painful than anger.
Natalie placed the records inside a protective folder.
"Richard may have misused a legitimate authorization to conceal unauthorized transfers."
"We need an independent accounting review."
Luca nodded.
"Arrange it."
Then he looked toward Olivia.
"I'll cooperate fully, even if my own negligence becomes part of the investigation."
She watched me translate every word.
For the first time, he didn't ask her to forgive him.
He simply accepted responsibility.
At eleven that morning, we returned to the mansion.
The wedding was scheduled for five o'clock.
Florists were arranging white roses in the ballroom.
A string quartet was preparing beneath the chandeliers.
Workers were carrying enormous crystal centerpieces through the hallway.
Everything looked like a fairy tale.
But beneath the beautiful decorations, the Moretti family was falling apart.
Vanessa greeted Luca with a breathtaking smile.
"There you are, darling!"
She wore a white silk dressing gown, and her blonde hair was already styled for the ceremony.
"I thought we agreed there would be no more drama."
Luca looked at her without smiling.
"Where is Richard?"
"Probably preparing for our wedding."
"Call him."
Her expression changed.
"Why?"
"Because I want him here."
Vanessa crossed her arms.
"You're making a terrible mistake."
Luca stepped closer.
"No, Vanessa."
"My mistake was trusting you while you humiliated my sister."
Her cheeks flushed.
Olivia stood beside me, watching every movement.
Vanessa glanced toward her.
Then she laughed.
"Don't tell me you're still believing whatever she says with those ridiculous hand gestures."
I felt Olivia stiffen.
But this time, Luca didn't wait for me to speak.
He raised his hands.
His signing was slow and imperfect.
Yet his message was unmistakable.
Olivia is my family.
Olivia blinked in surprise.
Luca turned back toward Vanessa.
"And this wedding is canceled."
The room went silent.
A florist dropped a ribbon onto the floor.
Vanessa stared at him.
"You can't be serious."
"I've never been more serious."
She laughed once.
Then again.
But the sound was brittle and unnatural.
"You cannot humiliate me in front of Chicago society."
Luca's expression remained cold.
"Then perhaps you shouldn't have tried to steal from my sister."
Vanessa's face transformed.
The sweetness disappeared completely.
"You have no idea what you're doing."
"Then explain it to me."
She stepped close enough to whisper.
"Richard warned me you were becoming sentimental."
Before Luca could answer, Marcus hurried into the room.
"Sir, there's a problem."
He handed Luca a phone.
A video had appeared on several Chicago gossip accounts.
It showed me walking into the mansion's restricted hallway.
The caption accused me of stealing family documents and manipulating Olivia for money.
Another video showed Olivia signing during an argument.
Someone had added false subtitles claiming she admitted helping me steal from Luca.
I felt physically sick.
"Those aren't her words!"
Olivia saw the screen.
Her face went crimson.
She signed furiously.
They changed what I said.
I translated while struggling to control my anger.
Within minutes, thousands of people were watching the edited recordings.
The comments were merciless.
Some called me a thief.
Others mocked Olivia's disability.
A few accused Luca of allowing his staff to control his family.
Vanessa looked almost pleased.
"Oh, Claire."
"What a terrible thing to have people saying about you."
I stared at her.
"You did this."
She smiled.
"Be careful with accusations you can't prove."
Luca took the phone from Marcus.
"Preserve the original posts and contact the platforms."
He turned toward Natalie, who had followed us inside.
"Can we get these videos examined?"
"Yes," she answered.
"And Olivia should have the opportunity to make her own statement if she chooses."
Olivia immediately nodded.
She pulled out her phone and typed a message.
She showed it to Natalie.
I don't want anyone speaking for me this time.
Natalie smiled gently.
"Then we won't."
An hour later, Olivia recorded her own statement in ASL.
A qualified interpreter helped prepare accurate English captions.
I stood nearby, but I didn't translate.
This was Olivia's story.
Not mine.
She explained that the viral recording had been deceptively edited.
She described the exclusion she had experienced and confirmed that she had never authorized anyone to surrender her inheritance.
Then she signed the words that would soon travel across the country.
My hands are not a weakness.
They are how I tell the truth.
The video was posted shortly before four.
Within thirty minutes, thousands of people had shared it.
Supportive messages began arriving from Deaf advocates, families, teachers, and strangers.
For the first time, Olivia wasn't being discussed as though she were absent.
People were listening to what she had chosen to say.
But Vanessa wasn't finished.
At 4:42 p.m., she entered the ballroom wearing her wedding gown.
The guests had already been told the ceremony was canceled.
Yet she walked toward the altar as though nothing had happened.
Luca stood near the front, speaking with Natalie.
Vanessa stopped before him.
"You think refusing to marry me changes anything?"
Luca frowned.
"It changes everything."
She smiled coldly.
"Not when the documents have already been filed."
Natalie stepped forward.
"What documents?"
Vanessa looked directly at Olivia.
Then she lifted a cream-colored envelope.
"An emergency petition questioning Olivia's financial capacity."
Olivia went pale.
Vanessa's smile widened.
"And Richard filed it using evidence your brother helped create."
She turned toward Luca.
May you like
"You may have canceled the wedding, darling."
"But you can't cancel your signature."
Related Stories
