Chapter 2 - THE PERFECT WEDDING
The ceremony was beautiful.
That was the worst part.
The flowers were perfect.
The weather was perfect.
The bride looked perfect.
Even Ethan looked like the kind of man who had never broken anyone’s heart.
He stood beneath a white floral arch and smiled at Lila.
When he said his vows, people cried.
When Lila promised to love him forever, Ethan held her hands.
I watched from the third row.
Noah sat beside me.
He did not cry.
He did not smile.
He simply watched his father.
After the ceremony, guests gathered for photographs.
Ethan’s mother approached me.
She had never liked me.
Not because I had done anything wrong.
Because she believed I had not been good enough for her son.
“Well,” she said.
I looked at her.
“Congratulations.”
She smiled.
“Thank you.”
Her eyes moved toward Noah.
“You brought him.”
“He was invited.”
“Yes.”
She glanced toward the reception hall.
“I hope this doesn’t become uncomfortable.”
I almost laughed.
“You’re the one who invited us.”
Her smile disappeared.
“I’m simply saying that today is about Ethan and Lila.”
“I know.”
“Good.”
She walked away.
Noah watched her.
“Grandma still doesn’t like you.”
“I’ve noticed.”
“Why?”
I looked at him.
“Sometimes people decide they don’t like someone before they know the truth.”
“Like Dad?”
The question hit harder than I expected.
I looked toward the wedding arch.
“Maybe.”
He was quiet.
Then he asked, “Did Dad ever love you?”
I swallowed.
“Yes.”
“Does he love Lila?”
I looked at him.
“I don’t know.”
“Do you still love him?”
I stared at the flowers.
That was a question I had asked myself many times.
The answer had changed over time.
Once, I had loved Ethan so much that I would have forgiven almost anything.
Then he cheated.
Then he lied.
Then he left.
Then he missed Noah’s birthday.
Somewhere along the way, love had turned into grief.
And grief had eventually turned into something quieter.
“No,” I said.
Noah looked relieved.
“Good.”
I smiled.
“Why?”
“Because he doesn’t deserve you.”
I almost laughed.
“You’re ten.”
“I know.”
The reception began at six.
Dinner was served.
People made small talk.
Ethan moved from table to table, shaking hands.
Lila looked radiant.
At one point, she came to our table.
“Are you enjoying yourselves?”
I looked at Noah.
“We’re fine.”
She smiled.
“I’m glad.”
Then she leaned closer.
“I hope there are no hard feelings.”
I looked at her.
“You’re married now.”
“Yes.”
“So why would I have hard feelings?”
Her smile tightened.
“You know what I mean.”
I did.
She wanted me to admit defeat.
She wanted me to say she had won.
Instead, I lifted my glass.
“Congratulations.”
She stared at me.
Then walked away.
Noah watched her leave.
“Mom.”
“Yes?”
“Do you think she knows?”
“Knows what?”
He looked toward Ethan.
“That Dad is lying.”
I stopped.
“What makes you think he’s lying?”
“He always says he’s busy when he doesn’t want to see me.”
“That’s not the same thing.”
“It is with Dad.”
I did not know what to say.
Then the lights dimmed.
The DJ announced the speeches.
Ethan’s best man went first.
He told embarrassing stories.
People laughed.
Lila’s sister spoke next.
She cried.
Then Ethan took the microphone.
The room applauded.
He stood beside the head table with a drink in his hand.
His confidence had returned.
“I want to thank everyone for being here,” he began.
People smiled.
He talked about fate.
Second chances.
New beginnings.
I listened silently.
Then his eyes found mine.
His smile changed.
“I’ll be honest,” he said.
The room grew quieter.
“Walking away from my past was the best decision of my life.”
A few people laughed.
I felt Noah go still beside me.
Ethan continued.
“Sometimes, you have to clear out your mistakes before you can make room for something better.”
This time, the laughter was louder.
Even Lila laughed.
My face burned.
I pushed my chair back.
The scrape of the chair against the floor echoed across the room.
Several people turned.
I was ready to leave.
Then Noah touched my arm.
“It’s okay, Mom.”
I looked down at him.
His expression was calm.
Too calm.
“Are you sure?”
He nodded.
Then he stood.
I grabbed his hand.
“Noah.”
He looked at me.
“I’m okay.”
Then he walked away from the table.
Toward the stage.
The laughter began to fade.
Ethan looked down at him.
“Well,” he said into the microphone.
“Looks like my son wants to say something.”
Noah stopped in front of him.
“Can I use that?”
Ethan laughed.
“Sure.”
He handed Noah the microphone.
The room became silent.
Noah reached into the pocket of his jacket.
Then he pulled out a small box.
Ethan stared at it.
“What’s that?”
Noah smiled.
“I brought you a gift.”
The room began whispering.
Ethan laughed again.
“Really?”
Noah nodded.
“Open it.”
Ethan took the box.
He looked at me.
I had no idea what was inside.
But Noah did.
Ethan slowly opened the lid.
And the color disappeared from his face.
Then he screamed.
The entire room froze.
Lila stood up.
“What is it?”
Ethan dropped the box.
Something rolled across the table.
And when I saw it…
May you like
I understood why Noah had said:
I don’t want to miss it.
