Chapter 11
Back inside, the guests slowly began talking again.
But nobody was celebrating.
The bride stood near the head table with the ring in her hand.
The groom remained several feet away.
Security stood nearby.
Bernice sat alone.
Her earlier confidence had disappeared.
One of the guests approached her.
“Are you all right?”
Bernice did not answer.
She stared at the empty velvet box.
It had seemed so convincing.
So final.
She had seen the missing ring.
She had seen Callum nearby.
And she had decided.
That was all.
She had never stopped to ask whether she was wrong.
The realization was painful.
The bride eventually walked toward her.
Bernice looked up.
“I know what you're going to say.”
The bride shook her head.
“I don't think you do.”
Bernice remained silent.
“You didn't just accuse him.”
The bride's voice was quiet.
“You humiliated him.”
Bernice looked down.
“And you hit him.”
Bernice closed her eyes.
“I know.”
The bride sat beside her.
“Why?”
Bernice's hands tightened together.
“I thought I was protecting something valuable.”
“The ring?”
Bernice shook her head.
“The family.”
The bride looked at her.
May you like
“What family?”
Bernice did not answer.
