The gardens at Willowmere House were filled with white roses, ivory ribbons, and delicate lanterns hanging from the trees.
For a moment, I allowed myself to feel happy.
Daniel looked handsome in his tuxedo.
When I helped straighten his tie, he smiled.
“Dad would have loved this.”
My throat tightened.
“Yes, sweetheart. He would.”
Daniel hugged me.
“Thank you for everything, Mom.”
I held him a little longer than usual.
“Just be happy,” I whispered.
That was all I wanted.
The ceremony began at four o’clock.
Tiffany walked down the aisle wearing a designer gown that shimmered in the afternoon light.
Her father escorted her, smiling proudly as though he had personally financed every flower, chair, and candle.
I tried not to think about it.
When Daniel said his vows, his voice trembled.
Tiffany cried.
I cried too.
For those few minutes, the wedding felt worth every sacrifice.
Then the reception began.
The ballroom glittered beneath enormous chandeliers.
Guests admired the decorations and complimented the food.
Several people approached me.
“You must be so proud!”
“What a spectacular wedding!”
“Daniel and Tiffany have wonderful taste.”
I smiled politely.
Nobody knew what the celebration had cost me.
Nobody knew about the canceled trip.
Nobody knew about the land.
And nobody knew that I had spent the previous evening calculating whether my remaining savings would cover an unexpected medical emergency.
At seven thirty, I went outside for a few minutes of fresh air.
Eleanor joined me on the terrace.
“Everything is going smoothly,” she said.
“I’m glad.”
She hesitated.
“There is one issue.”
My stomach tightened.
“What issue?”
“The bride has requested a special bottle of Laurent Reserve champagne for her father’s toast.”
“I removed that from the order.”
“Yes. The staff explained that.”
“How much is it?”
“Just under two thousand dollars, including service.”
I shook my head.
“No.”
“That’s what I told them.”
“Thank you.”
Eleanor gave me a sympathetic look.
“Enjoy the evening, Mrs. Bennett.”
I returned to the ballroom believing the matter was finished.
Ten minutes later, Tiffany found me.
She approached with her parents following close behind.
Her smile was gone.
“The Laurent Reserve isn’t being served.”
“That’s correct.”
“Why?”
“Because I removed it from the order.”
Her eyes narrowed.
“You had no right.”
“I was the person being charged.”
“My father specifically requested that champagne.”
“Then your father can purchase it.”
Richard crossed his arms.
Patricia made a disapproving noise.
Tiffany stepped closer.
“Put it on your credit card.”
“No.”
She blinked.
“What did you say?”
“I said no.”
Her face reddened.
“This is my wedding.”
“And I’ve already paid more than enough.”
“You promised us a perfect wedding!”
“I promised to help you celebrate your marriage.”
“You’ve been trying to control everything!”
“I’ve been trying to keep the costs reasonable.”
Several nearby guests stopped talking.
Tiffany noticed.
Instead of lowering her voice, she raised it.
“You’ve been against me from the beginning!”
“That isn’t true.”
“You think I’m not good enough for your precious son!”
“Tiffany, I welcomed you into our family.”
“You’ve done nothing but complain about money!”
I felt something inside me finally break.
“Because I’ve spent more than forty-five thousand dollars, Tiffany.”
Her mother gasped.
I continued.
“I sold part of my late husband’s family land to pay for this celebration. I canceled plans I’d saved for years to make this possible. And now you’re demanding another two thousand dollars for a bottle of champagne.”
The surrounding tables went quiet.
Tiffany’s eyes flashed.
“Nobody asked you to make yourself a martyr.”
I stared at her.
“No,” I said softly. “You simply kept asking for more.”
She pointed toward the doors.
“Then leave.”
I looked at Daniel.
He stood beside the dance floor.
He had heard everything.
“Daniel?” I asked.
He swallowed.
“Mom, maybe we should all calm down.”
Tiffany turned on him.
“Are you seriously taking her side?”
He immediately looked away.
“No, honey. I just—”
That was enough for her.
She turned back toward me.
“You’re a bitter old woman who uses money to control people.”
I felt my face grow hot.
“I have already given enough. The answer is no.”
Then she slapped me.
Hard.
The sound cracked through the ballroom.
My head turned.
Pain spread across my cheek.
Someone screamed.
The band stopped playing.
For several seconds, there was absolute silence.
Daniel whispered, “Tiffany.”
That was all.
Not “Are you hurt, Mom?”
Not “Don’t ever touch my mother again.”
Just her name.
Tiffany lifted her chin.
“You need to leave. You’re ruining the atmosphere.”
I looked at my son one last time.
He still wouldn’t meet my eyes.
So I picked up my handbag.
“All right,” I said.
And I walked away.
I did not go to my car.
Instead, I walked down the corridor toward Eleanor’s office.
My hands were trembling, but my thoughts were unusually clear.
Eleanor looked up when I entered.
“Mrs. Bennett?”
“I need to speak with you privately.”
She immediately noticed my cheek.
“What happened?”
“The bride struck me.”
Her expression changed.
“Are you injured?”
“I don’t think so.”
“Would you like medical assistance?”
“Not at the moment.”
She stood.
“Please sit down.”
I lowered myself into a chair.
For a moment, the strength that had carried me across the ballroom disappeared.
Tears filled my eyes.
“Two hundred and fifty people watched her slap me,” I whispered. “And my son did nothing.”
Eleanor handed me a tissue.
“I’m very sorry.”
I pressed it against my eyes.
Then I looked at the folder on her desk.
“Do you remember what you told me about the contracts?”
“Yes.”
“I want to know what can be stopped.”
She paused.
“Mrs. Bennett, some charges are already committed. I don’t want you to make a decision based on an expectation of refunds that may not be available.”
“I understand.”
“Are you asking to terminate the event?”
I considered the question.
I had imagined walking back into the ballroom and announcing that the wedding was over.
But the marriage ceremony had already happened.
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