many years begging people to love me.”
She held my hand.
“You don’t have to beg anymore.”
A year later, James and I celebrated our anniversary among people who truly cared for us.
My original wedding gown was gone.
My relationship with Mother and Vanessa remained distant.
Yet the wonderful life they’d tried to ruin continued to flourish.
That evening, James embraced me and whispered, “Would you change anything about our wedding?”
I recalled the scissors, the accusations, and Catherine unzipping that mysterious garment bag.
Then I smiled.
“Not a
