Chapter 8 - THE REHEARSAL DINNER
At the rehearsal dinner, Patricia gave Claire a gift.
A monogrammed leather portfolio.
Inside:
newly printed Morgan Family Holdings documents.
Claire looked up.
Patricia smiled.
“For after the honeymoon.”
Derek laughed.
“Mom.”
“What? It’s practical.”
Claire closed the portfolio.
“No.”
Patricia’s smile tightened.
“You haven’t even reviewed the changes.”
“I reviewed the structure.”
Derek leaned close.
“Not here.”
Claire looked around.
Family.
Friends.
Candles.
Wine.
He was right about one thing.
She hated scenes.
So she stayed quiet.
Later in the hotel corridor, Derek said:
“Do not humiliate me in front of my family again.”
Claire answered:
“You handed me documents I already rejected.”
“My mother did.”
“You planned it.”
Silence.
Then Derek:
“You’re going to learn that marriage is compromise.”
Claire asked:
“Does compromise ever move your direction?”
He smiled without warmth.
“We’re getting married tomorrow. Don’t start acting crazy.”
The recorder in Claire’s purse captured every word.
The next morning she sent the audio file to Adrienne.
Adrienne replied:
Keep original. Do not edit. We need to talk after the ceremony.
Claire stared at that sentence.
May you like
After the ceremony.
For the first time, she wondered whether there should be one.
