I heard the music start playing inside the ceremony venue.
Julian grabbed my arm.
“Meredith, please, don’t do anything.”
I pulled away.
“Don’t touch me.”
Then Colleen appeared.
She looked from Julian to me and closed her eyes.
“You told her.”
“I didn’t have to,” I replied.
“Meredith, please.”
“You held my hand.”
Her face crumpled.
“I know.”
“You saw 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 glanced toward the groom’s room.
“From ruining his life.”
I felt my throat tighten.
“So you ruined mine instead?”
She had no answer.
When the ceremony music changed, I finally saw the bride.
Sarah was standing near the entrance, with an older man beside her.
She looked nervous and happy.
What’s more, she seemed completely oblivious to everything.
That changed everything.
I had imagined bursting into the ceremony and humiliating Adrian.
But Sarah wasn’t my enemy.
If she knew the truth, that would be a different story.
If she didn’t, she was about to marry the same liar I’d almost married.
So I walked slowly toward her.
Colleen followed me.
“Meredith, don’t do it.”
Sarah looked up.
“Can I help you?”
“I’m the florist.”
She smiled faintly.
“The flowers are beautiful.”
“Thank you.”
“Before you walk down the aisle, there’s something you need to know.”
Her smile vanished.
Colleen whispered my name.
I ignored her.
Sarah looked back and forth between us.
“What are you talking about?” I told her.
Not out loud.
Not dramatically.
I told her that Adrian had gotten engaged to me three months earlier.
I told her about the accident.
I told her about the closed casket.
I told her I had attended his funeral.
Sarah stared at me.
“That’s impossible.”
“I wish it were.”
She looked at Colleen.
“Is she lying?”
Colleen said nothing, and Sarah’s expression changed immediately.
“Ms. Colleen?”
Still nothing.
Then Adrian appeared at the end of the hallway.
He stopped when he saw me.
For the first time all day, he looked terrified.
“Meredith.”
I turned toward him.
“You finally remembered my name.”
