Hannah looked down.
Elise stopped breathing for a second.
Morgan sought out Aubrey’s hand.
And Aubrey looked at me with the same eyes she had when she was little, waiting by the window on her birthday, hoping that her mother might come.
But Natalie just smiled.
“Mom,” he said softly, “I’m so glad you came. Before the speeches start, I have something for you.”
Monica’s face changed instantly.
“For me?” he asked, touching the diamonds on his neck.
Natalie nodded.
“To you.”
Two of her sisters disappeared to the bottom of the room.
A strange silence fell on the room.
The guests looked at each other, confused.
Adrian moved awkwardly with Monica.
I looked at Natalie, but she didn’t look at me.
He was only looking at his mother.
A few seconds later, Claire and Morgan returned carrying a large white box tied with a satin ribbon.
