My father thought my marriage was a mistake. So I walked down the aisle without him. He never expected what came next.

The words hung in the air like smoke.

*They know Nora’s alive.*

I couldn’t breathe.

The chapel steps suddenly felt like the edge of a cliff.

Julian’s arms tightened around me.

“We need to move. Now.”

David Bell was already scanning the street.

“Everyone inside. Now. Single file.”

The veterans moved with terrifying speed.

No chaos. No questions.

Just practiced, silent precision.

The older federal investigator grabbed my mother by the arm.

“Ma’am, inside.”