“When he said I wouldn’t have much choice after we got married, what did you think he meant?”
Heather’s face reddened.
“I didn’t like it.”
“But you didn’t say anything.”
“I asked whether you really wanted to do this.”
“And when he said yes?”
She looked away.
“I wanted to believe him.”
“Because you’d already canceled daycare.”
“Yes.”
Her answer hurt, but at least it was truthful.
“I heard him laugh,” Heather said. “I knew that was a horrible thing to say. I told myself he was making a stupid joke.”
She swallowed.
“I was scared of losing the arrangement. I know that doesn’t make it okay.”
“No,” I said. “It doesn’t.”
She nodded without asking me to comfort her.
My phone lit up.
Seth was calling for the fourth time since I’d left the bridal room.
I stared before answering.
“Hello.”
