CHAPTER 2 — THE WEDDING STOPS
Nobody spoke.
Not the musicians.
Not the guests.
Not even Rachel.
She stared at me, her smile frozen.
Then she forced a laugh.
"Everyone, please... this is just a misunderstanding."
I looked at Chloe.
She was still holding my hand with both of hers.
Her tiny fingers trembled.
"A misunderstanding?" I asked quietly.
"My daughter was locked alone in a bathroom for nearly an hour."
Rachel shook her head.
"I only asked her to stay there until the ceremony ended."
Gasps spread through the room.
"You asked a seven-year-old child to hide," I replied.
"I didn't want her getting emotional."
"She lost her mother two years ago," I said.
"She's allowed to be emotional."
Rachel's mother suddenly stood.
"This isn't the time for family arguments."
I nodded.
"You're right."
"It isn't."
I removed the wedding ring from my pocket.
The one I was supposed to place on Rachel's finger.
I looked at it for several seconds.
Then I set it gently on the altar.
"There won't be a wedding."
Rachel's face turned white.
"What?"
"I said..."
May you like
I looked directly into her eyes.
"There won't be a wedding."
