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We grieved, then moved forward, choosing a new date together.
And when the big day finally arrived, I remember thinking: We made it. We finally made it.
The wedding was held in a ballroom filled with soft golden light, fresh white roses, and a string quartet playing our favorite songs. Everything looked like a dream: subtle, elegant, and warm.
Natalie wore a tulle dress with pearls along the collar, and before the ceremony, she danced in small circles with my nephew, Will, their laughter floating over the music.
For a moment, as I stood watching them, I felt a calm I hadn’t known in years.
“We made it,” I whispered to myself. “We survived the worst… and now we’re here.”
I felt full in a way I hadn’t in so long.
After the ceremony, I was mingling with guests, laughing with old friends and accepting compliments on the décor, the flowers, and the food. I had just taken a sip of champagne when I felt a small tug at the hem of my dress.
Natalie was standing next to me, her cheeks pink, her eyes shining, but not with joy. Her lip quivered slightly.
“Mom,” she whispered, barely audible over the music. “Look at Daddy’s arm. I don’t want a new Daddy. Please.”
I froze. My smile faltered, and my stomach dropped.
“Sweetheart, what are you talking about? Why would you say that?” I bent down and gently brushed the hair from her cheek.
She shifted closer and pointed across the room.
“There’s lipstick,” she said quietly. “On Daddy’s sleeve. It’s dark red, I saw it.”
I followed her gaze. Richard was near the bar, chatting easily with a group of coworkers, jacket buttoned neatly, nothing out of place from where I stood.
“Are you sure?” I asked, trying to keep my voice even.
“I saw him pull on his jacket really fast when he saw me looking,” she insisted. “I’m not a baby anymore, Mom. That means… cheating, right?”
She looked up at me with wide, earnest eyes, and my stomach twisted tightly.
I stared at her, stunned. The room buzzed behind me, but everything suddenly felt too quiet.
“I don’t want you to be sad,” she added quickly, glancing at her shoes. “I just thought you should know.”
“You did the right thing, Nattie-girl.” I knelt and kissed her forehead, cupping her face in my hands. “Thank you for telling me, okay?”
She nodded, her chin trembling.
I told her I loved her, that everything would be okay, and walked her over to my mother, who was standing near the dessert table.
“Can you sit with her for a few minutes?” I asked quietly.
My mom gave me a concerned glance but said nothing. She wrapped an arm around Natalie and pulled her close, whispering something gentle I couldn’t hear.
I turned and walked toward the hallway leading to the dressing rooms. My chest felt tight, like I couldn’t take a full breath. Richard was just outside the door, speaking with two of his coworkers, still smiling like nothing in the world had changed.
“Richard,” I said, my voice calm and measured. “Can I talk to you for a minute? Somewhere private?”
He blinked but followed without question. I opened the door to the bridal suite and let him in first, closing it quietly behind us. The quiet buzz of the ballroom faded behind the heavy door.
“What’s going on?” he asked, a nervous smile flickering across his face. “Everything okay?”
“Take off your jacket.”