Chapter 4 - THE WEDDING THAT DIDN'T HAPPEN
I did not marry Ethan that afternoon.
I also did not expose him.
Not yet.
I walked to the altar alone.
Two hundred people rose.
Ethan entered through the side door thirty seconds later.
My mother returned to her seat with her scarf gone and her face freshly powdered.
My father watched all three of us.
Father Nolan smiled uncertainly.
“Shall we begin?”
I looked at Ethan.
He looked wrecked.
Good.
“Before we do,” I said, “I need a moment.”
A nervous laugh moved through the church.
I turned toward our guests.
“I’m sorry.”
Ethan whispered, “Sarah.”
I continued.
“There will not be a wedding today.”
My mother covered her mouth.
My father stood.
“What happened?”
I looked directly at him.
“I learned something before the ceremony.”
His face barely changed.
“What?”
“I don’t know yet.”
That answer unsettled him more than an accusation would have.
I handed my bouquet to Rachel.
“Food is paid for. Bar is paid for. Please eat, drink, gossip about me, whatever makes the afternoon useful.”
A few guests laughed awkwardly.
Then I walked out.
Ethan followed.
My father followed him.
“Ethan!”
Ethan stopped.
Dad’s voice was friendly.
Too friendly.
“What did you do to my daughter?”
Ethan stared at him.
“Maybe ask your wife.”
Dad went pale.
There.
Tiny.
Fast.
But I saw it.
So did Ethan.
Dad recovered.
“Where is Diane?”
I said, “She’s coming with me.”
“No.”
The word was immediate.
My mother appeared behind him.
Richard turned.
“Diane, get in my car.”
She didn’t move.
“I said get in the car.”
For the first time, I heard something beneath my father’s voice I had never noticed before.
Ownership.
My mother stepped beside me.
“No.”
Dad smiled at the guests passing behind us.
Then he leaned close.
“You have no idea what you’re doing.”
Diane answered quietly.
“I finally do.”
His smile disappeared.
He looked at the brass key in her hand.
Then at Ethan.
May you like
Then at me.
And I watched my father realize exactly what we were about to open.
