She turned sharply.
‘Under oath?’
Garrett closed his eyes for half a second.
That was his real mistake.
Not the hidden account.
Not the invitation.
That half-second.
Tessa saw fear.
She walked to the table and pulled the folder toward herself.
Garrett reached for it.
My attorney placed her hand on top.
‘Copies only,’ she said.
‘The originals are already filed with the motion.’
Tessa looked at Garrett.
‘You told me the divorce was finished.
You told me Rebecca got everything she was entitled to.’
‘She did.’
‘Then why is your mother’s company paying bills for our house?’
Garrett’s voice rose.
‘Because my mother helps us.
This is insane.’
Patricia jumped in.
‘Tessa, don’t let Rebecca poison your wedding.’
Tessa turned toward her.
‘Did Garrett put his money in your company during the divorce?’
Patricia looked at her son.
That was answer enough.
The first wedding guest walked away from the terrace.
Then another.
People were pretending not to listen, but weddings are terrible places for secrets.
Everyone is already watching the same two people.
Garrett noticed the attention and did what embarrassed men with power often do.
He tried to regain control by becoming louder.
‘Everybody needs to go inside.’
Nobody moved.
He pointed at me.
‘And you need to leave.’
I picked up my bag.
‘I’m happy to.’
That stopped him too.
He had expected resistance.
He wanted me to make a scene large enough that he could call me unstable, jealous or obsessed.
Instead, I turned toward the twins.
Emma ran to me first.
‘Mom, are we still staying for the cake?’
My throat tightened.
‘Not today, sweetheart.’
Evan looked toward his father.
‘Is Dad mad?’
I crouched so we were eye level.
‘The adults have something to work out.’
I refused to give them a villain while they were standing inside the conflict.
Whatever Garrett had done to me, he was still their father.
When I stood, Tessa had removed her engagement ring.
She was holding it between two fingers.
Garrett saw it.
