Then came the bouquet toss.
“Daphne! Over here! Throw it to me!” Suzie shouted, practically bouncing in place, her face glowing with excitement.
I exchanged a knowing look with Ray and discreetly aimed the bouquet her way.
She caught it like a pro, holding it up triumphantly as if she’d just snagged the game–winning touchdown. Her grin said it all, and she wasted no time bragging to everyone around her.
That day? It was everything. The most romantic, happiest moment of my life.
No toxic people dragging it down.
Just the ones I loved, who loved me right back.
We laughed, celebrated, and soaked in every second of a perfect day.
***
With my lawyer’s help, I inherited my father’s entire estate.
Word got around that Betty wasn’t doing great in prison. Apparently, someone made sure her time there was anything but easy.
My mom finally accepted the truth–she admitted she’d played a role in Dad’s death and spent years blaming me to cover her
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Chapter 10
+15 BONUS
guilt. Crushed by regret, she left her cushy life behind and retreated to a secluded retreat to reflect and atone for her mistakes.
Henry, though? He somehow tracked down the sapphire necklace Betty had trashed. He had it melted and remade, planning to
give it to me.
Too bad for him, Ray made sure he stayed far, far away. In the end, Henry kept it for himself, like some twisted keepsake of
everything he lost.
***
A few years later, Ray and I had our first baby.
I’ll never forget the way he’d press his ear to my belly, trying to catch the baby’s movements. The sunlight spilling through the window felt just as warm as the love in that moment.
Life was good, and my heart was finally full.
