Chapter 8 - Facing The Consequences
Ethan looked at it.
Then at me.
Then at the guests.
“This is what bothers me,” he said. “My mother’s identity shouldn’t be the reason this became wrong.”
Vanessa crossed her arms.
“Oh, please.”
Ethan turned to her.
“No. That’s the whole point.”
She stared at him.
“You were horrified when you learned she was my mother,” he said. “Were you horrified before that?”
Vanessa’s lips parted.
Nothing came out.
He waited.
So did I.
Finally she said, “I already told you I thought she was trespassing.”
“That isn’t an answer.”
“I made a judgment call.”
“You enjoyed it.”
The words landed harder because he spoke them quietly.
Vanessa’s expression changed.
She was no longer trying to persuade me.
She was trying to hold on to Ethan.
“Don’t do this in front of everyone,” she whispered.
That sentence told me more than an apology would have.
She still believed the worst part was the audience.
Ethan looked toward the people around us.
Then back at her.
“You did it in front of everyone.”
Patricia stepped between them slightly.
“This is an engagement celebration. Emotions are high. Everyone needs to calm down and discuss this privately.”
Vanessa nodded quickly.
“Yes. Exactly.”
Ethan shook his head.
“No.”
One word.
Vanessa went still.
“I’m not going to pretend this didn’t happen so the party can continue,” he said.
Her face tightened.
“Ethan.”
“I need you to leave me alone tonight.”
Her hand reached for his sleeve.
He stepped back before she touched him.
May you like
It was the same movement he had made earlier when she tried to grab his arm on his way to me.
Only now there was no confusion in it.
