Chapter 6 - THE CANCELLATION THAT WASN'T MINE
The officiant had received an email at 11:20. It claimed I was having a breakdown and asked him to send the guests home.
“From my address?” I asked.
Janelle nodded. “Or something almost identical.”
Ethan finally turned around. “Show me.”
The sender was evelyn.bennetts with an extra s. My real address had one. The message was signed Love, Evelyn, words I had never used in an email.
“Who sent this?” Janelle asked.
“Someone who needs the wedding canceled before Monday,” Ethan said.
He showed the officiant my real number and handed him the original invitation. Then he asked me the question he'd been asking all morning.
“Do you still want to marry me?”
I thought of the dress, the old secrets, the guests outside, and the years I'd confused obedience with love. “More than ever.”
Janelle called downstairs. The ceremony would start fifteen minutes late.
Mom appeared at the hallway's far end, clutching her phone. “Evelyn, you're making us look ridiculous.”
I stepped toward her in Ruth's vintage dress. “You told the officiant I canceled. You tried to speak for me.”
“I was protecting you. You were hysterical.”
“Look at me,” I said. “Do I look hysterical?”
She couldn't answer without admitting what she'd done.
Ruth emerged carrying the stained designer gown inside a sealed garment bag. She'd asked the venue to photograph it with the dye bottle before anyone could clean the room.
Vanessa followed Mom around the corner. “It's not too late to call this off.”
“Not for your sake,” I said.
I walked past them toward the chapel. Behind me, Mom hissed, “You have no idea what you're risking.”
May you like
Ruth leaned close enough that only I could hear.
“She isn't talking about your marriage. She's talking about the deadline on that trust.”
