“In my name,” I said. “Only mine. I insisted. Elias complained at first, but I told him I’d saved before we met. He eventually said it didn’t matter because marriage meant everything was ours.”
Rebecca’s mouth tightened. “That phrase has ruined more people than greed itself.”
My father finally looked at me.
“Did he ever ask to be added to the title?”
“Twice,” I admitted. “Both times he made it sound romantic. Said he wanted us to feel like a team. I said no because…” I swallowed. “Because Mom’s voice was in my head.”
The mention of my mother moved through the room like a soft wind.
Rebecca leaned forward. “You listened to her when it mattered.”
I wanted that to comfort me. It didn’t. Not yet.
Because there was another truth sitting inside my chest, one I could barely stand to touch.
“I married him,” I said. “I stood in front of everyone and promised forever to someone who was planning to leave me before the first dance.”
