“Why?”
He swallowed.
“Because it’s my wedding.”
“And I’m your mother.”
His expression crumpled.
I picked up my handbag.
“I think I need some time away from both of you.”
Mr. Alvarez quietly offered to arrange a private place for me to change and wait for my ride.
I thanked him.
Before leaving, I turned toward Melissa.
“Please finish the services already arranged for the guests. Make sure the staff receive everything they’re owed.”
She nodded.
“Of course.”
Then I walked out.
Behind me, Vanessa began speaking quickly about the guests, the photographer, and the after-party.
Daniel didn’t answer.
I didn’t turn around to see whether he was still standing beside her.
At home, I put the pale-blue dress on a hanger and carried it into the laundry room.
The smell of vanilla frosting still clung to the fabric.
I examined the beading beneath the neckline.
Some of the icing had dried into the threads. A dark stain spread across the front where the cake had mixed with my makeup.
I hung the dress carefully, then went upstairs to wash my hair.
By the time I finished, it was nearly midnight.
My phone showed eleven missed calls from Daniel.
There were messages too.
Mom, where are you?
Please call me.
Vanessa says you made her look terrible in front of everyone.
Then, twenty minutes later:
I shouldn’t have laughed. I’m sorry.
