“He took advantage of the accident to disappear.”
Julian’s face tightened.
“He panicked.”
“He faked his d:eath.”
“He thought it was the only way to get out.”
“Out of marrying me?”
Julian looked ashamed.
“Out of everything.”
I stepped backward.
For months, I had imagined Adrian’s last moments.
I wondered if he had been afraid. If he had thought about me.
Instead, he survived and decided pretending to be dead was easier than telling me the truth.
Music began inside the ceremony space. SpecialOccasions
Julian grabbed my arm.
“Meredith, please don’t do anything.”
I pulled away.
“Don’t touch me.”
Then Colleen appeared.
She looked between us and closed her eyes.
“You told her.”
“He didn’t have to,” I replied.
“Meredith, please.”
“You held my hand.”
Her face crumpled.
“I know.”
“You watched me cry over your son.”
“I know.”
“You let me stand in front of that coffin.”
Tears filled her eyes.
“I thought I was protecting him.”
“From what?”
She looked toward the groom’s room. Weddings
“From ruining his life.”
My throat tightened.
“So you ruined mine instead?”
She had no answer.
As the ceremony music shifted, I saw the bride.
Sarah stood near the entrance beside an older man.
She looked nervous and happy.
And completely unaware.
That changed everything.
I had imagined confronting Adrian publicly.
But Sarah wasn’t my enemy.
If she knew the truth, that was one thing.
If she didn’t, she was about to marry the same liar I almost had. Marriage
I walked toward her.
Colleen followed.
“Meredith, don’t.”
Sarah looked up.
“Can I help you?”
“I’m the florist.”
She smiled faintly.
“The flowers are beautiful.”
“Thank you.”
“Before you walk down that aisle, there’s something you need to know.”
Her smile vanished.
Colleen whispered my name.
I ignored her.
Sarah looked between us.
“What are you talking about?”
I told her.
Quietly.
Without making a scene.
I told her Adrian had been engaged to me three months earlier. Marriage
I told her about the accident.
The closed casket.
The funeral I attended.
Sarah stared at me.
“That’s impossible.”
“I wish it were.”
She turned toward Colleen.
“Is she lying?”
Colleen said nothing.
Sarah’s face changed immediately.
“Ms. Colleen?”
Still nothing.
Then Adrian appeared at the far end of the hallway.
He stopped when he saw me.
For the first time that day, he looked terrified.
“Meredith.”
I turned toward him.
“You finally remembered my name.”
Sarah stepped forward. “Please tell me she’s lying.”
Adrian looked toward his mother. Pregnancy& Maternity
Then Julian.
Nobody rescued him.
“Sarah, I can explain.”
She slapped him.
The sound echoed through the hallway, and guests inside began standing.
Adrian touched his cheek.
“Sarah.”
“You told me that she knew about everything.”
