“What did you do?” I asked.
“I told her the wedding was over.”
He leaned back in the chair and released a slow breath.
“She didn’t cry.”
“That surprised me.”
“No. Instead, she calmly began removing the jewelry she’d planned to wear during the ceremony. She simply asked if I intended to embarrass her in front of everyone.”
“And?”
“I told her I wouldn’t.”
That sounded exactly like Adrien.
He deserved honesty, my husband used to say whenever Adrienne was a boy.
Even when honesty hurts.
“I asked Caleb to handle the guests,” Adrienne continued. “He announced there had been an unexpected personal matter and that the ceremony wouldn’t take place.”
“Were people upset?”
“Confused.”
He gave a tired smile.
“Some were probably disappointed about missing lunch.”
Despite everything, I couldn’t help smiling. That small moment of humor broke the tension neither of us had realized we were carrying.
“What about Amelia?”
“She left through the side entrance about 20 minutes ago.”
“Did anyone stop her?”
“No.”
He looked toward the window again.
“I didn’t want revenge.”
I nodded.
“I only wanted the truth.”
Outside, vehicles slowly began leaving the estate. Guests stood in small groups, asking questions no one could answer.
Family members hugged one another before quietly making their way home.
Months of planning had ended without a ceremony, without music, without vows, without a marriage.
Adrienne stood and walked toward the window.
“I keep wondering whether any of it was real.”
I joined him.
“I think parts of it probably were.”
He looked at me.
“What do you mean?”
“People are complicated.”
He remained silent.
“Someone can enjoy your kindness while still wanting something from you.”
I placed a hand on his shoulder.
“But genuine love never asks you to ignore the truth.”
His eyes filled with emotion.
“I almost lost everything today.”
“No,” I said softly. “You almost did.”
He wrapped his arms around me.