At 2:27, I called our wedding planner, Margaret, and asked her to meet me privately before dawn.
At 2:36, I sent Ethan a message.
We need to make a few quiet changes before tomorrow. Trust me. Please don’t react yet.
His answer arrived less than a minute later.
I trust you. Just tell me what you need me to do.
I stared at those words until my eyes burned.
Then I typed, First, don’t speak to Vanessa alone. Second, don’t let anyone convince you that I have changed my mind about marrying you. Third, I need you to be completely honest with me tomorrow, even if the truth hurts.
His response was immediate.
I will be. Olivia, what happened?
I almost told him everything.
Instead, I wrote, I’ll explain in the morning. I love you.
I love you, too. Nothing changes that.
For the first time that night, I cried.
I cried quietly, with one hand pressed against my mouth so the women next door wouldn’t hear. I cried for the friendship I thought I had, for the trust Vanessa had treated as a weakness, and for the terrifying possibility that she had already planted doubts in Ethan’s mind.
