Chapter 5 - The Groom’s Laugh Disappears
Evan’s expression changed first.
Minutes earlier, he had laughed because Megan arrived alone.
Now he stood in front of a woman his family considered a hero.
“I didn’t know,” he said.
Megan met his eyes.
“You didn’t ask.”
The words were quiet.
They landed harder than anger.
Lauren reached for Megan’s arm.
Megan stepped back.
Lauren froze.
Diane said, “Surely this is being exaggerated.”
Robert turned toward her.
“My son has titanium plates in his spine because of that mission. He remembers every person who left him and the one woman who stayed.”
Diane looked around the room.
Guests who had joined her mockery were now avoiding her eyes.
Robert asked Megan to sit at the head table.
She refused.
“I’m not here for recognition.”
“Then why are you here?” Lauren asked.
Megan looked at her.
“Because you invited me.”
Lauren’s face tightened with guilt.
She had not personally sent the invitation.
Diane had.
And Diane had insisted Megan come alone.
At the time, Lauren thought Diane was trying to avoid extra costs.
Now Robert looked toward his sister.
“Why was Megan seated beside the service door?”
Diane’s fingers tightened around her purse.
“It was the only place available.”
Robert scanned the room.
Two empty seats remained at the family table.
The lie was obvious.
Then one of the wedding planners approached Robert and whispered that Megan’s original place card had been beside Lauren.
May you like
Someone moved it before the reception began.
The planner had seen Diane do it.
