Chapter 7 - THE REHEARSAL DINNER
The rehearsal dinner was held on the rooftop of Ethan’s family hotel.
Rachel planned to stay for thirty minutes.
Ava asked her not to leave early.
“There’s something I need to do,” she whispered.
“What?”
Ava touched the pocket of her pink cardigan.
Then she looked toward Diane and lost her voice.
Rachel assumed she was overwhelmed.
They sat at a table near the service station while Diane introduced Vanessa to politicians, executives, and wealthy family friends.
Ethan noticed where Rachel had been seated.
He approached with two plates.
“You’re the bride’s sister, right?”
Rachel stood.
“Yes. I’m Rachel. This is Ava.”
Ethan smiled at the child.
“I heard you helped with the wedding dress.”
Ava pointed to Rachel.
“Your mom fixed it?” Ethan asked.
Ava nodded.
“She saved it,” Ethan said. “Vanessa told me the boutique handled everything.”
Rachel forced a polite smile.
“She probably didn’t think the details mattered.”
Ethan looked toward Vanessa.
Something about his expression suggested the answer bothered him.
During the speeches, Diane praised Vanessa as the daughter who had “always understood the value of family.”
Then she looked directly at Rachel.
“Some children grow up and build something. Others spend their lives expecting rescue.”
Several guests shifted uncomfortably.
Vanessa raised her glass.
“To good decisions.”
Rachel’s face burned.
Ava reached for her hand.
Then Vanessa added, “And to children who make their mothers proud instead of becoming lifelong responsibilities.”
Her eyes moved toward Ava.
Ethan lowered his glass.
“That’s enough,” he said quietly.
Vanessa laughed.
“It was a joke.”
“No one laughed.”
For the first time, Rachel saw tension between them.
Diane quickly changed the subject.
Later, Ethan found Rachel near the elevators.
“I’m sorry.”
“You didn’t say it.”
“I should have stopped it sooner.”
Rachel looked toward Ava.
“My daughter hears every word people assume she cannot answer.”
Ethan’s jaw tightened.
“I didn’t know Vanessa treated her that way.”
“There are many things you don’t know about Vanessa.”
Rachel nearly told him about the account.
But without evidence, it would sound like jealousy on the night before his wedding.
Ava stepped from behind Rachel.
She looked directly at Ethan.
“Tomorrow,” she whispered.
Ethan bent slightly.
“What happens tomorrow?”
Ava gripped the flash drive through her cardigan.
May you like
But Diane called her name from across the rooftop, and the child fell silent again.
👉 Ava had chosen the wedding day to reveal the truth, but Vanessa was already preparing to accuse Rachel before the child could speak.
