Chapter 6 - Savannah Learned the Wedding Was Never Fake
Savannah asked to meet again.
This time I almost said no.
Then she told me why.
“I need to know whether he ever planned to leave you before the boys were born.”
That was not my responsibility.
But I had documents she did not.
And she had messages I did not.
We met with lawyers present.
No friendship.
No alliance.
Just accuracy.
I showed her our public-wedding contracts.
Signed nine months earlier.
Venue deposit.
Catering.
Photographer.
My dress.
Ethan’s tuxedo appointment.
His signature appeared on half of them.
Savannah stared.
“He told me your mother booked everything.”
“She helped.”
“But Ethan signed these.”
“Yes.”
Savannah’s face tightened.
Then she unlocked her phone.
A message from Ethan dated the same week:
Claire’s family refuses to cancel the public ceremony. I may have to go through with the event for appearances, but it changes nothing between us.
I read it twice.
He had known he intended to stand beside me.
Smile.
Dance.
Accept congratulations.
Then leave.
Savannah whispered:
“I thought you knew.”
“About you?”
“No.”
She looked embarrassed.
“About the marriage being over.”
I stared.
“If I knew, why would I plan a wedding?”
She had no answer.
Then she showed me something else.
A message sent after the twins were born.
Ethan:
The reception is our clean exit. After that, no more hiding.
Clean.
I almost laughed.
Nothing about two newborn babies in a ballroom was clean.
Savannah wiped one eye.
“I agreed to walk in with him.”
“Yes.”
“I wanted you to see us.”
I appreciated the honesty.
She continued:
“I was angry.”
“At me?”
“Yes.”
“Why?”
“Because every time he postponed leaving, he blamed something connected to you.”
Your mother.
Your family.
The business.
The wedding.
Savannah had slowly turned me into the obstacle between her and the life Ethan promised.
Even though I did not know the race existed.
“I hated you without knowing you,” she said.
“That was convenient.”
“Yes.”
Then I asked:
“Do you still want him?”
Savannah looked toward the babies sleeping in a double stroller beside her attorney.
“I want him to be their father.”
Different answer.
“What about partner?”
She was quiet.
“I don’t know.”
That made sense.
Ethan had lied to her too.
Different lies.
Still lies.
Then Savannah said:
“He told me something else about you.”
I braced.
“He said after the wedding you planned to announce a pregnancy.”
My entire body went still.
“That’s impossible.”
Savannah looked confused.
I continued:
“Three months ago, Ethan told me he wanted us to start trying for a baby after the reception.”
Her face changed.
And suddenly Savannah understood what I already had.
May you like
Ethan had not chosen one future.
He had been keeping both open until one became easier.
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