Chapter 2

"Claire! Stop right there!"

Grant's loud, commanding voice cut through the damp evening air before I could reach my car.

Heavy footsteps hurried down the marble steps behind me, followed by the sharp click of Ivy's heels. They hadn't come out to apologize. They had come out to reprimand me for daring to walk away.

I turned around slowly, keeping my hands resting calmly inside my coat pockets.

Ivy caught up first, her face flushed with frustration. "Mom, what is wrong with you? Everyone saw you walk out! Do you have any idea how embarrassing this is for me?"

"Embarrassing?" I looked at my daughter. "You put Sloane in the Mother of the Bride seat, Ivy."

"Because she helped me get the custom Vera Wang gown!" Ivy argued, throwing her hands up.

"She has social connections! You just gave me a check and complained about the budget every step of the way! Sloane actually cared about the aesthetic!"

Grant stepped up beside Ivy, standing tall and imposing, his posture full of the same corporate authority he used at his firm. Sloane lingered near the pavilion doors, watching us with a satisfied, innocent expression.

"Claire, pull yourself together," Grant scolded, his tone stern and unyielding. "You're acting like a jealous, bitter ex-wife. This is your daughter's once-in-a-lifetime wedding! Are you really going to ruin Ivy's special day over a piece of cardstock? Act like an adult for once!"

"I am acting like an adult, Grant," I replied, my voice devoid of any emotional tremble.

"Then go back inside!" Grant demanded, stepping closer. "Don't ruin this for Ivy. You owe her a peaceful wedding."

I simply lifted my left wrist, checked the time on my watch -- 7:15 PM -- and let out a quiet, single breath.

I tapped my phone screen to awaken the ongoing call that I hadn't hung up.

I hit the speakerphone button.

Daniel's voice instantly echoed loudly across the open courtyard, crisp, professional, and unbothered by our family drama.

"Mrs. West? Is everything alright? If the balance remains unpaid by 8:00 PM, the system will automatically release the reservation lock, and the venue will be reopened for public booking."

The silence that fell over the courtyard was deafening.

Grant's aggressive posture instantly froze. Ivy's complaining mouth snapped shut, her eyes widening in sudden panic as she stared at the glowing phone screen in my hand.

Daniel's professional tone continued over the speakerphone: "Mrs. West, would you like to proceed with the payment now?"