Chapter 19 - The Wedding Dress
Camille’s wedding dress stayed at the venue for six months.
Nobody wanted it.
Eventually the coordinator called me.
“Mr. Hale, we need someone to collect it.”
“Donate it.”
Camille’s lawyer objected.
So it went into storage.
Then, one afternoon, Camille asked to see me before sentencing.
I went.
She sat behind glass.
“I’m sorry.”
I waited.
She said, “I knew Emma was yours before I met you.”
“I know.”
“I hated her before I knew her.”
“I know.”
“My father taught me she was a threat.”
“You were an adult when you kept believing him.”
“Yes.”
That mattered.
She looked at me.
“Did you ever love me?”
“Yes.”
Her eyes filled.
“Do you hate me?”
“No.”
That seemed to hurt more.
“I don’t want to hate you. I want to be done.”
She nodded.
Then she asked, “Is Emma okay?”
“Yes.”
“Does she remember me?”
“Probably.”
Camille looked down.
“Tell her—”
“No.”
She stopped.
“You don’t get to send messages through her.”
Another boundary.
Another lesson.
She accepted it.
The judge had the evidence.
We had our lives.
Camille received her sentence.
Charles and Robert received theirs months later.
Martin lost his license and served time under his plea agreement.
Margaret moved away from Charles and began therapy.
No one emerged clean.
Some emerged accountable.
That was enough.
On Emma’s seventh birthday, we held a small party in Olivia’s backyard.
Twelve children.
Too many balloons.
Ava destroyed a cupcake with both hands.
Emma wore a silver locket.
The same one.
After cake, she climbed onto a chair.
“Everyone quiet!”
No one listened.
She yelled louder.
“I HAVE AN ANNOUNCEMENT!”
Everyone finally stopped.
She pointed at me.
“That’s my dad.”
The words hit differently now.
I smiled.
Emma grinned.
Then she pointed at Olivia.
“And they’re not getting married.”
Everyone laughed.
Olivia nearly dropped the cake knife.
I said, “Thank you for the update.”
Emma shrugged.
“People keep asking.”
Then she whispered to me, “Maybe someday.”
I looked at Olivia.
May you like
She heard it.
Neither of us answered.
