Chapter 4
Nolan’s involvement made more sense afterward.
He had watched his sister struggle for months.
And he hated Celeste for reasons that had nothing to do with death.
Celeste’s family had blocked one Vale expansion years ago.
Business.
Territory.
Pride.
Old nonsense.
Nolan never forgot.
When I became involved with Ainsley, he saw two things at once.
His sister gaining a husband.
The Vale family entering a house that once rejected them.
He wanted the marriage to mean something larger.
A reset.
A replacement.
New photographs.
New hostess.
New family events.
New alliance.
Celeste’s continued presence complicated the symbolism.
So when Ainsley began removing belongings, Nolan supported it.
He even told household staff:
“The bride decides what stays after the wedding.”
I had never said that.
Again.
My future voice borrowed by someone else.
One housekeeper objected.
Nolan had her transferred to another property.
Not fired.
Just moved.
Quiet enough that I never noticed.
I looked at him.
“You attacked me because of this?”
He shook his head.
“I attacked you because you humiliated my sister.”
“No.”
He knew better.
May you like
He attacked because the wedding was collapsing.
And with it, the meaning he had attached to Vale finally standing inside Moretti.
