Samuel continued:
“The adults around her chose reputation rather than truth. They chose silence instead of protecting her. And then, when the truth became impossible to hide, they blamed the girl instead of blaming the person who hurt her.
My mother lowered her head.
My father stared at the ground.
Samuel turned to me.
Clara is not here because her past defines her. He’s here because he survived him.
My eyes filled with tears.
“I’m not marrying a woman who has a shameful past,” he continued. I’m marrying the strongest and kindest person I’ve ever met.
Several guests started to cry.
Then the doors of the chapel were opened.
They all turned.
Adrian was in the back of the room.
He looked older than I remembered. His face was pale and the security he had once shown had disappeared.
For a moment, I was fifteen again.
