I loved it immediately.
At 12:20, Adrian called.
“My mother says you disappeared.”
“I’m still here.”
His breath caught.
“What happened?”
“Meet me at the altar.”
“Claire—”
“Trust me.”
Silence.
Then quietly:
“Always.”
Evelyn found me fifteen minutes before the ceremony.
For the first time all day, her smile slipped.
“You’re wearing that?”
“Yes.”
She glanced at the cheap dress before recovering.
“Well. At least you’ve accepted reality.”
I held her gaze.
“Which reality?”
“That some women marry into families above them and mistake access for belonging.”
“You ruined my mother’s dress.”
Her eyes sharpened, but she didn’t deny it.
“Prove it.”
That was her third mistake.
She leaned closer, expensive perfume surrounding her.
“Adrian is emotional. He thinks love is permanent. It isn’t. Assets are.”
“What are the amended trust papers?”
Her expression changed for half a second.
That was enough.
“You’ve been snooping.”
“I’ve been working.”
“You are an employee.”
“No, Evelyn. I was retained by the independent directors.”
