Outside, the music thumped behind me while I stood alone under the string lights they’d hung everywhere. I blinked hard, trying to keep the tears from falling. Crying would just make it worse. It would mean they’d won.
I thought about Walter. About how he used to squeeze my hand whenever I doubted myself.
“Don’t let the shiny ones dim your light, Mags,” he’d say.
I was getting ready to call a cab when I felt someone grab my hand hard.
It was Ethan. His grip was tight, almost desperate. His eyes were wet and red.
“Grandma, don’t go.”
“Sweetheart, it’s fine. She’s just nervous, that’s all. Weddings make people…”
“No.” His jaw clenched so hard I could see the muscle jump. “It’s not fine.”
Before I could stop him, he turned and pulled me gently back toward the hall. The music stopped the second Ethan reached for the microphone. Everyone turned as Veronica’s laughter died in her throat.
The crowd gasped. I froze, my hand still in his.
Veronica’s face twisted into something ugly. “Ethan, what the hell are you doing?”
He looked straight at her, and I’d never seen him look at anyone like that before.
“You just mocked the only person who’s ever truly loved me. The woman who raised me. Who gave up everything so I could stand here today. And you humiliated her in front of everyone.”
The whispers started immediately. Veronica’s father stood up, his face turning purple. “Young man, you need to calm yourself right now!”
Ethan didn’t even glance at him. “You can keep your money. Your fancy last name. Your guests. They’re all yours anyway. But I’m done pretending this is love.”
“You’re ruining everything!” Veronica’s voice cracked. “My family spent a fortune on…”
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