Chapter 6 - THE SECOND WEDDING
Lauren wanted seventy-five guests.
Ethan wanted fifty.
They compromised at seventy-four.
I never understood how.
The ceremony would be held in a small historic chapel outside Franklin.
No politicians.
No business reporters.
No giant reception hall.
Lauren asked me to go dress shopping.
That alone nearly made me cry.
Then she asked something bigger.
“Will you walk me down the aisle?”
I stared at her.
“What about Dad?”
She touched the pearl locket around her neck.
“Dad is coming with us.”
I cried.
So did she.
On the wedding morning, I helped fasten the locket around her neck.
She looked at herself in the mirror.
“I used to think I didn't deserve this.”
“You don't deserve jewelry.”
She laughed.
“Mom.”
“You inherit it.”
She turned.
“I stopped trying to deserve being your daughter.”
That was better.
Then someone knocked.
Rebecca entered.
Her expression was wrong.
“What happened?”
She hesitated.
“Victoria is outside.”
Lauren froze.
“She wasn't invited.”
“I know.”
Ethan appeared behind Rebecca.
“I'll handle it.”
Lauren stopped him.
“No.”
We went outside together.
Victoria stood near the parking lot.
She looked older.
Not ruined.
Not dramatically broken.
Simply smaller somehow.
She held an envelope.
“I came to apologize.”
Lauren's expression hardened.
“Today?”
“I didn't know when else you'd see me.”
“That isn't my responsibility.”
“I know.”
Victoria looked toward me.
“Margaret.”
I nodded.
She swallowed.
“I treated you as though your job made you less worthy.”
“Yes.”
No point making it easier.
“I stole opportunities from students who trusted our foundation.”
“Yes.”
“I convinced myself the money was being used for legitimate consulting.”
“Was it?”
“No.”
Lauren stepped forward.
“You stole my scholarship.”
“Yes.”
“And then made me ashamed of the woman who paid for my education after you stole it.”
Victoria's eyes filled.
“Yes.”
“Why?”
“Because when you began dating Ethan, I recognized you.”
Victoria looked toward the ground.
“I was terrified someone would examine the old records.”
“So you controlled me.”
“I tried.”
Lauren's voice changed.
“You don't get to come inside.”
Victoria nodded.
“I understand.”
“And I'm not forgiving you because it's my wedding day.”
“I understand.”
“Maybe someday.”
Victoria cried quietly.
“That's more than I deserve.”
I finally spoke.
“Don't do that.”
She looked at me.
“What?”
“Don't turn accountability into self-punishment.”
She stared.
“You did terrible things.”
“Yes.”
“That doesn't require you to become a terrible person forever.”
For once, Victoria had no response.
She gave Rebecca the envelope.
Then left.
Lauren watched her go.
“Was I cruel?”
“No.”
“Too forgiving?”
“No.”
“What was I?”
“Clear.”
She smiled.
“That's annoyingly reasonable.”
“I raised you.”
An hour later, the chapel doors opened.
Lauren held my arm.
Her father's locket rested against her chest.
We walked together.
This time, I wasn't hidden behind white roses.
I wasn't in the back row.
I wasn't an embarrassment.
When we reached Ethan, he looked at me.
“May I?”
I pretended to consider.
Lauren whispered:
“Mom.”
I smiled.
“Yes.”
I placed her hand in his.
The ceremony continued.
Nobody interrupted it.
Nobody needed to.
And when Ethan kissed my daughter, I realized something.
May you like
The first wedding had not failed.
It had saved them from beginning a marriage with a lie.
