“This cannot wait.”
The young employee hesitated.
I lowered my voice.
“It’s about his future.”
Perhaps he heard something in my tone because he nodded and disappeared down the hallway.
A minute later, another man approached. It was Caleb, Adrienne’s closest friend since college.
He smiled politely.
“Mrs. Parker. Adrienne’s getting dressed. Is everything all right?”
“No.”
Concern replaced his smile.
“What happened?”
Instead of explaining, I unlocked my phone and handed it to him. He silently read the court documents.
His expression changed almost instantly.
“Where did you get this?”
“I’ll explain later.”
He looked toward the hallway leading to the groom’s suite.
“Does Adrien know?”
“Not yet.”
Caleb inhaled deeply before making a decision.
“Come with me.”
We walked quietly through the side corridor until we reached a private room. He knocked once.
“It’s me,” he called.
The door opened.
There stood my son.
Adrienne looked exactly like his father had on our own wedding day. His charcoal suit fit perfectly. His father’s gold watch rested proudly on his wrist.
The excitement in his eyes made my heart ache.
“Mom,” he asked with a smile. “What’s wrong?”
The smile faded as soon as he saw my face. Without speaking, Caleb closed the door behind us.
For several seconds, the room remained completely silent. Then Adrienne looked from Caleb to me.
“Someone tell me what’s happening.”
I took a slow breath, knowing the next few minutes would change both of our lives forever.
Everything depended on whether my son believed what I was about to tell him.
Adrienne searched my face with growing concern.
“Mom,” he said softly. “You’re scaring me.”
“I know.”
I took a seat across from him, placing my purse beside my chair. My hands trembled slightly, but I refused to let emotion control the conversation.
If I wanted him to believe me, I needed facts instead of fear.
“I need you to listen until I’ve finished,” I said. “After that, you can decide what you want to do.”
He nodded.
“All right.”
I began with the parking lot. I told him about Oliver stopping me before I entered the venue, about the flowers he had delivered that morning, and about the conversation he accidentally overheard outside the bridal suite.
Adrienne’s expression remained calm.
Then I repeated the exact words Oliver claimed Amelia had spoken.