The document was a typed agreement signed by Lorna and Victor Ashworth. It stated that after Lorna married Victor, she would receive a $75,000 consulting fee. My mother covered her mouth. None of us understood why a marriage agreement contained such a payment. Micah explained that he had discovered the paper beneath some decorations while cleaning up after the reception. Before we could decide what to do, the diner door opened. Lorna stood there, staring at the document in horror. \u201cWhere did you get that?\u201d she whispered.<\/p>\n
The bell above the door jingled again. Victor Ashworth entered wearing a gray overcoat and carrying a small bouquet of white roses. He looked directly at Lorna. \u201cI gave it to him,\u201d he said quietly. \u201cSomebody had to tell your sister the truth.\u201d Lorna\u2019s expression hardened. She accused Victor of betraying her, but he calmly placed another envelope on the table. Inside were printed messages between them. Victor explained that the $75,000 wasn\u2019t actually for consulting. Lorna had expected the money for helping him obtain private information about our family\u2019s finances and property.<\/p>\n
My mother read the messages with trembling hands. Lorna had apparently spent months discussing our family assets with Victor. She had told him that I was financially irresponsible and that my parents trusted me too much. She had even suggested that once she married Victor, she could persuade our mother to reveal documents and account information. Suddenly, her constant insults about our inexpensive wedding seemed much darker. She hadn\u2019t simply been embarrassed by our donut tower. She wanted everyone to believe I was the unsuccessful, foolish sister while she appeared wealthy, polished, and trustworthy.<\/p>\n
Lorna tried claiming Victor had misunderstood everything, but he showed us the messages one by one. Then he revealed that he had never intended to pay her the $75,000. He had created the agreement because he became suspicious of her questions and wanted evidence before confronting her. My mother slowly folded the papers and looked at Lorna. \u201cYou weren\u2019t protecting this family,\u201d she said. \u201cYou were planning to use us.\u201d Victor ended their engagement that morning. Lorna left the diner in tears, while Micah squeezed my hand beneath the table. The wedding she had mocked so cruelly had exposed the secret she thought nobody would ever discover.<\/p>\n
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