Then Margaret stood up.
She was dressed in a floor-length black gown, like she was attending a funeral. All eyes turned to her, some chuckling nervously, others whispering in confusion.
And then she cleared her throat.
“I’m sorry,” she said loudly, her voice slicing through the murmurs. “But before we go any further, I think it’s only fair that everyone knows who my son is marrying.”
Ethan looked horrified, mouthing “Mom, no,” but Margaret continued.
“She’s a divorcee, with a child from another man, and let’s not forget, she’s nearly ten years older than Ethan. This is not a love story. This is a trap.”
A hush fell over the garden. I felt my knees weaken, my hands tremble. I could hear my heartbeat pounding in my ears. Lily looked back at me from the front row, her eyes wide and scared.
Ethan stepped forward, but Margaret raised her hand.
“I warned you, Ethan. I told you I wouldn’t sit silently while you threw your life away. Everyone deserves to know.”
The officiant looked like he wanted to disappear. I stood frozen, not knowing whether to cry, scream, or run.
And then something happened that no one expected.
