Chapter 2 - THE BRIDE CHOSE A SIDE
Rachel looked from Lily's tear-streaked face to the crushed cupcake on the floor.
"What happened?" she asked.
Diane straightened. "Your niece was misbehaving. Claire assaulted me because I tried to correct her."
Rachel's expression changed.
"Lily?" she asked softly.
My daughter hid against my dress. "Grandma said I wasn't supposed to celebrate with the family."
Rachel went still.
"She said what?"
Diane scoffed. "Children twist everything."
Then she walked directly to Diane and smashed it against the front of her silver gown.
A collective gasp rolled through the ballroom.
"If Lily doesn't belong at my celebration," Rachel said, "then neither do you."
Diane's mouth fell open.
"You spoiled little—"
"Finish that sentence," Rachel said, "and security won't be the only people you deal with tonight."
Mark finally pushed through the crowd. He had been speaking with the caterer near the terrace when the commotion started.
The moment he saw Lily crying, he lifted her into his arms.
"What happened?"
I told him.
His face drained of color.
He turned toward his mother. "Tell me she is lying."
Diane said nothing.
"Mom."
"I taught the child manners. That's all."
Mark's jaw tightened. "You put your hands on my daughter."
"Your daughter is spoiled because Claire lets her do whatever she wants."
Two security guards approached.
Diane laughed bitterly. "You are seriously throwing your own mother out of a family wedding?"
Mark handed Lily to me.
"You're finished, Mom."
The guards took Diane by the arms. She kicked, twisted, and shouted as they escorted her through the crowd.
Every guest watched.
Outside the glass doors, Diane pounded with both fists.
"LET ME BACK IN!"
Rachel closed the curtains.
For one perfect second, I thought it was over.
Then Mark's phone vibrated.
He looked at the screen.
May you like
And his face changed.
"Claire," he said quietly, "my mother just sent me a picture of our house."
