Expensive.
Julian was beside her.
Chloe had never met him.
That felt strange.
This was the man her mother had left them for.
He shook Chloe’s hand politely.
“Congratulations.”
“Thank you.”
Elena hugged her.
Too long.
“My beautiful girl.”
Chloe stiffened but allowed it.
“I can’t believe this day is finally here.”
Neither could Chloe.
Elena behaved perfectly during the ceremony.
She cried.
Clapped.
Smiled for photographs when invited.
At dinner, she spoke warmly to relatives she had not seen in years.
For a while, Chloe thought perhaps they might survive the evening without reopening old wounds.
Then came the speeches.
Her father went first.
He kept it short.
Of course he did.
He talked about Chloe learning to ride a bike.
