Nathan looked into the garden.
“She was invited because I wanted her there.”
“I understand that now.”
Edward took a breath.
“Vanessa’s mother and I have told her we won’t support any further accusations. We’ve also canceled the reception-related expenses that haven’t already been paid.”
He hesitated.
“She wants us to pressure you into taking her back.”
Nathan closed his eyes.
“And?”
“And we told her no.”
The answer brought no satisfaction.
Only relief.
Edward continued.
“I’ve loved my daughter all her life. I’ll keep loving her. But I cannot keep protecting her from the truth.”
Over the following week, Vanessa’s world changed.
The wedding photographs were never released.
The honeymoon reservations were canceled.
Her parents refused to pay for another ceremony or support her attempt to blame Eleanor.
Several friends who had witnessed the confrontation distanced themselves when Vanessa continued insisting that the elderly woman had ruined everything.
Most painfully, Grace, her maid of honor since college, finally confronted her.
Grace had spent months helping arrange the wedding.
She had excused Vanessa’s temper and apologized to people Vanessa insulted.
But she could not excuse the recording.
“You planned to humiliate his mother,” Grace told her.
Vanessa insisted it was only supposed to be a small argument.
“Then why did you need the whole room watching?” Grace asked.
Vanessa couldn’t answer.
Grace returned her bridesmaid jewelry and ended their friendship.
For the first time, Vanessa faced consequences that charm, tears, and expensive gifts couldn’t repair.
Nathan did not celebrate her downfall.
