PART 55
I looked at the ruined dress.
“I loved this dress.”
Damian almost smiled.
“I know.”
“It took four fittings.”
“I know.”
“The embroidery alone took six weeks.”
“I know.”
I laughed through tears.
“This is not funny.”
“No.”
“It’s a little funny that this is what finally makes you cry.”
I hit his shoulder lightly.
He smiled.
Then kissed my hand.
PART 56
A woman from the hotel brought me a robe.
My suitcase was still in Damian’s car.
So Gabriel retrieved it.
I changed into a black evening dress.
Simple.
Elegant.
Less expensive.
Still enough to make Tiffany stare when I returned downstairs.
Damian asked,
“Do you want to leave?”
I thought about it.
Then shook my head.
“No.”
“Why?”
“Because they’ve spent my entire life making me leave rooms.”
“Tonight, they can.”
He smiled.
“That’s my wife.”
PART 57
When we returned, the ballroom had fractured.
Some guests were leaving.
Others stayed because scandal is stronger than dessert.
Callum was nowhere near Fiona.
Dad was arguing quietly with Sarah.
Mom sat frozen.
Tiffany pretended not to see me.
I returned to Table 19.
Damian looked at the table.
Then at me.
“This is where they seated you?”
“Yes.”
Beside the kitchen door.
He laughed once.
“Perfect.”
PART 58
He pulled out the chair beside me.
Then sat down.
Within thirty seconds, the table became the most interesting place in the ballroom.
Executives approached.
Politicians approached.
Two donors approached.
A university president approached.
Not because of me.
Not entirely.
Because Damian was there.
My family watched.
For years, they measured worth through social proximity.
Now their rejected daughter sat beside one of the most powerful men in the room.
And people came to her.
PART 59
Tiffany was the first relative to try.
She walked over slowly.
Her smile had changed.
“Mabel.”
I looked up.
“Tiffany.”
She touched her necklace.
“I had no idea.”
“No.”
“Why didn’t you tell us?”
“Why would I?”
She blinked.
“Well.”
“We’re family.”
There was that word again.
I said nothing.
PART 60
She looked at Damian.
“It’s such an honor to meet you.”
Damian nodded politely.
Nothing more.
Tiffany’s smile weakened.
Then she looked at my dress.
“You changed.”
“Yes.”
“I’m sorry about what happened.”
“Are you?”
She hesitated too long.
I smiled.
“Enjoy the wedding.”
She left.
PART 61
Ten minutes later, my mother came.
She sat without being invited.
Her mascara had run slightly.
She looked at Damian.
Then at me.
“Why didn’t you tell us you were married?”
I answered honestly.
“Because I knew this would happen.”
She frowned.
“What?”
“You would treat me differently.”
“That’s ridiculous.”
I looked around.
“You’re sitting at Table 19.”
She followed my gaze.
Then flushed.
PART 62
Mom whispered,
“We would have wanted to know.”
“You wanted to know when the information became useful.”
“That’s cruel.”
“No.”
“It’s accurate.”
She shook her head.
“You always assume the worst about us.”
I stared at her.
Twenty minutes earlier, she had called me a pathetic spinster into a microphone.
I did not need to argue.
Her own memory was enough.
PART 63
Damian stood.
“I’m going to give you two privacy.”
Mom smiled too quickly.
“Thank you, Damian.”
He stopped.
“Mr. Vale is fine.”
Her smile vanished.
Then he walked away.
I almost admired the precision.
PART 64
Mom leaned closer.
“Mabel, listen to me.”
“The trust situation can be fixed.”
“No.”
“It was temporary.”
“No.”
“Your sister needed this wedding.”
I blinked.
“Needed?”
“You know what I mean.”
“No.”
“Explain.”
Mom looked frustrated.
“She needed to marry well.”
The sentence sat between us.
I felt something old and ugly finally reveal itself.
