Chapter 2: What Carol Knew
I didn't move toward the altar.
I stood there holding Emily, staring at Rebecca, and I watched her smile begin to crack at the edges.
"Darling." Her voice dropped lower.
"People are watching."
"Let them watch."
A murmur moved through the guests.
Rebecca stepped closer and reached for Emily's arm.
Emily flinched.
That was all I needed to see.
"Don't touch her."
Rebecca pulled her hand back.
For one second, something cold crossed her face — not embarrassment, not guilt.
Calculation.
"You're making a scene over nothing," she whispered.
"We can talk about the arrangements after the ceremony.
It's a good school, James.
Boarding.
The best in the county."
Boarding school.
She had already enrolled my daughter somewhere.
Without telling me.
Without asking.
I reached into my jacket and unfolded the note.
"When did you write this?"
She didn't answer.
"Rebecca.
When did you write this?"
Her eyes went to the guests, then back to me.
"Lower your voice."
Then a woman stood up from the third row.
Rebecca's sister.
Her face had gone completely white.
"James," she said quietly.
"There's something else you need to know."
Rebecca spun toward her.
May you like
"Sit down, Carol."
But Carol was already reaching into her handbag.
