Chapter 9 - The Visit Coraline Denied
Coraline stepped backward.
“That’s impossible.”
Posie began to cry.
Mave immediately turned the child away from the crowd.
“Don’t question her.”
Garrett’s protective anger hardened.
“Nobody is questioning her.”
Coraline looked around at the recording phones.
“She’s three years old. She could be pointing at anyone.”
Posie whispered into Mave’s coat.
“She had the sparkly hair.”
Coraline’s jeweled wedding hairpiece glittered beneath the rain.
Mave’s expression changed.
“Two weeks ago, Posie woke up screaming. She said a princess told her I would lose her if we came to New York.”
Garrett looked at Coraline.
“Did you threaten my child?”
“No!”
Warren seized Coraline by the elbow.
“We are leaving.”
Garrett stepped in their path.
“No one is leaving until the police arrive.”
“You have no authority to detain us.”
Judge Cole calmly replied, “Then remain voluntarily and explain yourselves.”
Warren’s control slipped.
“You have always hated my family.”
“I dislike bullies,” the judge said. “Your family merely keeps providing examples.”
A few guests murmured.
Coraline’s humiliation turned to rage.
She pointed at Mave.
“You ruined everything!”
Mave’s voice remained soft.
“You ruined it before I arrived.”
“I was supposed to become his wife.”
“You knew he was still searching for me.”
“He chose me.”
“No,” Garrett said. “You removed every other choice.”
Coraline’s eyes filled with furious tears.
She turned toward Evelyn.
“Tell him why we did it.”
Evelyn’s face hardened.
“Do not involve me in your mistakes.”
Coraline stared at her.
“My mistakes?”
Warren gripped her arm tighter.
“Coraline.”
She pulled away.
“You promised he would never find out.”
The crowd erupted in whispers.
Garrett took one step closer.
“What did she promise you?”
Coraline’s breathing became ragged.
Evelyn spoke through clenched teeth.
“Say another word and you lose everything.”
Coraline laughed bitterly.
“I’m already standing in the rain at my canceled wedding.”
Then she looked directly at Garrett.
“Your mother didn’t create the paternity report.”
Mave stopped breathing.
Coraline slowly turned toward Warren.
May you like
“He did.”
👉 The forged medical test was only the beginning of Warren Ashford’s role in the conspiracy.
