Chapter 5 — The Bride Who Became Evidence
The next morning, Katherine tried to leave.
She was stopped at the front door.
Not by force.
By Caleb.
He stood there fully dressed, eyes hollow but steady.
“You can’t leave,” he said.
Katherine took a step back.
“I don’t belong here,” she said.
Caleb nodded slowly.
“You’re right,” he replied.
That confused her.
Then he added:
“Not until you answer me.”
Grace stepped between them.
“Caleb, stop this.”
He didn’t look at her.
His eyes stayed on Katherine.
“Did you know her?” he asked.
Katherine frowned.
“Beatrice?”
“Yes.”
Katherine shook her head firmly.
“No. I’ve never even met her.”
Caleb’s expression tightened.
“That’s what she said too,” he whispered.
Grace felt a chill.
“Who said what?”
Caleb finally looked at his mother.
“Beatrice,” he said. “Before she was expelled.”
A pause.
“She said someone else altered the report. Someone in administration.”
Katherine blinked.
“I don’t understand—”
Caleb cut her off.
“And then you show up in her place.”
Silence.
The accusation hung in the air like a blade suspended mid-fall.
Katherine’s voice shook.
“You think I replaced her on purpose?”
May you like
Caleb didn’t answer.
And that silence was answer enough.
