I stared at him. “You could have told me that before the wedding.”
“Yes.”
“Instead, you let me pretend you were my boyfriend so you could teach me a lesson.”
“You’re right.”
No excuse. No argument. Just that. I walked farther down the hallway because I refused to cry where Max could see me. Edward followed but kept his distance. Then I heard a small voice.
“Mom?”
My oldest daughter stood nearby. I quickly wiped beneath one eye. “Hey.”
She looked toward the reception. “Why did Dad say nobody would date you?”
I crouched beside her. “He was being unkind.”
She thought for a moment. “Edward isn’t really your boyfriend?”
“No.”
“Then why did you say he was?”
For a moment, lying would have been easier. Instead, I told her the truth. “Because I wanted your dad to think somebody wanted me.”
She frowned. “But we wanted you here.”
