But there was something else.
At 11:56 p.m., Vanessa had sent a final message.
If you ever change your mind, I’ll be here. And if she hurts you, remember that I warned you.
I returned the phone.
“I believe you,” I said.
Ethan’s shoulders sagged with relief, but I wasn’t finished.
“You should have told me.”
“I know.”
“You let her become the person who explained my feelings to you. And I let her become the person who managed our wedding. We both trusted her with things she had no right to control.”
He nodded.
“I should have told you the moment she confessed. I was afraid you would lose your best friend, and I thought keeping quiet would protect you.”
“Keeping quiet protected her.”
The words hurt him, but he didn’t argue.
“I know.”
I looked at the photograph again.
“Did she ever threaten you?”
“Not directly. But after I stopped responding to her personal messages, she started sending me screenshots of conversations between you and her. She said you were unhappy and that you wanted to escape the wedding.”
