“What is that supposed to mean?”
Mason took a slow breath.
“It means I’ve seen you get cruel when you think someone embarrasses you.
I’ve seen you talk down to servers.
I’ve seen you humiliate people and then call it a joke.
Every time I questioned it, you told me I was overreacting.”
Vanessa stared at him.
“So now you’re taking Emily’s side?”
“There shouldn’t be sides when one person punches another person for spilling wine.”
“You like her.”
The accusation came so quickly that even through the video I felt my stomach tighten.
Mason looked stunned.
“What?”
Vanessa stepped closer.
“That’s what this is.
You’ve always been too interested in her.
Every time she visits, you ask her questions.
You listen to her.
You look at her like—”
“Like she’s a person?”
Vanessa stopped.
The backyard became almost perfectly silent.
Mason’s voice stayed calm.
“I’m not interested in Emily.
I have never been interested in Emily.
But apparently treating your sister with basic respect is enough to make you hate her.”
That explained the tension I had noticed whenever he spoke to me.
It had never been about romance.
It was about hierarchy.
Vanessa was used to everyone in our family understanding where I belonged.
Dad indulged her.
I kept the peace.
Guests took their cues from whoever spoke the loudest.
Mason had accidentally violated that system by speaking to me as an equal.
Vanessa’s eyes filled with furious tears.
“You’re humiliating me at your own birthday party.”
Mason glanced toward the gate where I had disappeared.
“No.
You humiliated yourself.”
Dad grabbed Mason’s arm.
“Think very carefully about what you’re doing.”
Mason looked down at Dad’s hand until Dad released him.
Then Mason said the sentence that explained fifty-six missed calls.
“There isn’t going to be a wedding.”
Vanessa went completely still.
I replayed the line because I thought I had misunderstood it.
There isn’t going to be a wedding.
On screen, Dad recovered first.
“Don’t be ridiculous.”
Mason turned toward him.
“I’m not being ridiculous.
I’m being late.
I should have paid attention sooner.”
Vanessa grabbed his sleeve.
“Mason, stop.
You’re angry.”
