I glanced at the box.
“I kept those letters because I wanted the girls to know that I tried to keep the door open. But I couldn’t walk through it for you.”
Elena lowered her head.
For the first time that afternoon, she did not argue.
She had no excuse left that could change what had happened.
The wedding coordinator approached Chloe quietly and asked whether she wanted the reception to continue.
Chloe looked around the room.
Some guests were crying. Others stood with their arms folded, trying to process what they had just witnessed.
Michael came to her side and took her hand.
“It’s your day,” he whispered. “Whatever you want, I’ll support you.”
Chloe looked at me.
I nodded.
She turned toward the coordinator.
“Please start the music.”
The coordinator hesitated.
“Are you sure?”
“Yes.”
Chloe took a breath.
“This day belongs to my husband and me. We are not going to let the past take the rest of it.”
