Chapter 5: The Person Who Opened the Door
The name on Nick’s phone made my heart sink.
“Lily?””
My best friend.
My maid of honor.
The person who had helped me choose my dress.
The person who cried when Nick proposed.
I stared at the screen.
“No.””
Nick looked miserable.
“I didn’t want to believe it either.””
“You think Lily told your mother?””
“I think someone gave her information.””
“That’s not the same thing.””
“I know.””
I shook my head.
“No. Lily wouldn’t do that.””
Nick didn’t argue.
That somehow made it worse.
“Then why is her name here?””
He showed me the message.
A conversation between Martha and an unknown number.
Martha: I need the final schedule.
The reply:
I can get it.
My hands went cold.
The number wasn’t saved.
But the message history showed months of communication.
I looked at Nick.
“Where did you get this?””
“Mom’s phone.””
“Martha’s phone?””
“Yes.””
“Did you go through it?””
He looked ashamed.
“I was trying to understand why she did this.””
I looked back at the screen.
Another message appeared.
From Martha.
She has no idea what’s coming.
My stomach turned.
“What does that mean?””
Nick didn’t answer.
Because he didn’t know.
We went back inside.
Martha was standing near the entrance.
Waiting.
Like she knew something.
“Did you figure it out?”” she asked.
I stared at her.
“Who helped you?””
Her expression changed.
Only slightly.
But enough.
“What are you talking about?””
“Who gave you our wedding information?””
Martha looked away.
That was all the answer I needed.
Nick stepped forward.
“Mom.””
Silence.
Then Martha sighed.
“I didn’t want to ruin your wedding.””
I laughed.
A painful, empty sound.
“You cut my hair.””
“That was necessary.””
“Necessary?””
Martha looked at me.
“You needed to understand something.””
“What?””
“That I will always be part of Nick’s life.””
I stared.
“That was your message?””
“Yes.””
Her honesty shocked me.
“I wanted you to know you didn’t replace me.””
Nick looked horrified.
“Mom.””
“What?””
She turned toward him.
“She is taking you away.””
“No.””
His voice was firm.
“You are the one pushing me away.””
For the first time, Martha looked afraid.
Not angry.
Afraid.
Because she realized she was losing control.
Then the restaurant doors opened again.
A woman walked in.
Everyone turned.
Lily.
Her face was pale.
“Emily.””
My heart broke.
“Why are you here?””
She looked at Nick.
Then Martha.
Then me.
“I need to tell you the truth.””
Nobody moved.
I whispered:
“What truth?””
Lily’s eyes filled with tears.
“I didn’t mean for it to happen like this.””
My blood ran cold.
“What did you do?””
She looked down.
And then she said the words that changed everything.
“I was the one who gave Martha your wedding details.””
The room went silent.
Jenna stepped forward.
“Why?””
Lily started crying.
“I thought I was helping.””
“Helping who?””
She looked at me.
And the answer broke my heart.
“Your husband.””
I stared at her.
“What?””
Lily wiped her face.
“Nick asked me to keep an eye on Martha months ago.””
Nick froze.
“I never told you to give her anything.””
“I know.””
Lily looked at him.
“But I found something.””
“What?””
She reached into her bag.
And pulled out a folder.
“I found out Martha wasn’t planning to stop at your hair.””
My fingers tightened.
“What else was she planning?””
Lily placed the folder on the table.
Inside was a printed email.
An email scheduled to be sent the morning after my wedding.
The subject line was visible.
And when I read it, my heart stopped.
May you like
Because it said:
*“How to Annul My Son’s Marriage Before It Begins.””*
