Chapter 57

Evie

"J

effrey? Daniel?" I croak.

Anna's eyes cut from the boys to me. "Ronna, what is going on?"

"Um—"

Adam interjects, his face pale as a ghost. He squeezes his mother's hand once more. "It's our turn to walk down the aisle. I'm sure we can resolve this later."

He takes another step forward but his mother comes to a determined halt, her focus fixated on me.

From behind, I hear rushed footsteps. Steph emerges from the depths of the room, her father scurrying to keep up. She looks like a princess. A very angry princess. Her cheeks are nearly as red as her flaming hair. She glances at Jeffrey and Daniel, then addresses Adam and Anna. "What is the hold up? It's your turn."

Ari takes hold of his daughter's hand and pats it. "It's all right, sweetheart. I'm sure everyone's a bit nervous."

Steph points a finger at her brother. "See? I told you the rehearsal was important and you had to miss it."

Another round of Here Comes the Bride.

The guests' faces turn expectantly to the door.

Ari says calmly, "Anna, Adam, Ronna, let's move along."

Steph's eyes cut to Jeffrey and Daniel. "Who are these people?"

The music stops. Apparently, there are only so many times they can play the tune before it gets weird.

Now Brad is hurrying back down the aisle toward us, his face cloaked in confusion and worry. Guests begin murmuring.

Jeffrey says to Daniel, "I think Mom's in a state of shock."

Daniel laughs, taking in my expression. "Looks like we did surprise her." He fist-bumps his brother.

Steph, Anna, and Ari are looking on with nervous interest.

I say, "Boys, maybe it's better if you wait for me outside."

Brad joins the assembled group, taking in the scene. "What is the delay?"

Steph steps next to Brad as if teams are being chosen and she is opting away from the others. She stares at me. "From what I can tell, these men are Ronna's kids."

Brad purses his lips. "Okaaay. So Ronna has kids we didn't know about. Is that a reason to stop our wedding?"

Jeffrey furrows his brow. "Mom, why do they keep calling you Ronna?"

It's like an inhale without the subsequent exhale. Everyone holds their breath. A lengthy pause and then a lightbulb goes off over Steph's head. "I knew it!"

If I am a deer in the headlights, Adam is a moose. A silent, unhelpful, bug-eyed Bullwinkle.

Daniel and Jeffrey finally get the message that something serious is going on and walk off. Daniel calls over his shoulder, "We'll be at the front door."

Some of the guests are now on their feet. A group congregates nearby, soaking up all the juicy bits they can hear.

Steph is in Adam's face. "I can't believe you could sink this low," she seethes. "It's my wedding day."

Anna, Ari, Steph, and Brad encircle me. Or at least it feels that way. Like I'm at a Wiccan ritual and I'm the offered sacrifice.

I'm stunned to see Adam off to the side, staring at his polished shoes, a deep frown plastered on his face.

I swallow hard, my cheeks heating up with a deep sense of shame.

"I'm sorry," Adam finally says. He's looking at me, not at Steph or Brad.

"Sorry?" Steph shrieks. "I have a stranger as my maid of honor!" Her eyes water. She points accusingly at me. "Whatever her real name is."

Adam sucks in his lips. "Will you let me explain?"

Anna holds up a hand. "Enough, you two. We will discuss this later." She lowers her voice and addresses her daughter calmly. "Sweetheart, everyone is waiting for you to walk down the aisle at your wedding. Especially your groom."

Brad nods, numbly.

A tear escapes Steph's eye, making me feel like the worst person on the planet.

"Right," she says. "This is my wedding."

She takes a deep breath, closes her eyes, composing herself. In a heartbeat, Steph's boiling anger has morphed into sadness. She forces a smile to her face, breaking my heart.

The harpist approaches. "Is everything all right?"

Anna speaks softly to the woman who hurries away.

Brad grabs hold of Steph's hand. "Are you ready to get hitched now? Please?"

Steph nods.

The music starts up. Guests settle back in their seats.

Brad takes his place back at the pergola. This time when Anna grasps Adam's arm, her posture is as stiff as a board. Adam hasn't looked at me or even said a word in my defense. Truth is, I'm defenseless.

I watch them walk slowly down the aisle.

If there was any question of whether I should march down behind them it is forced away when Ari and Steph glide past me, neither one meeting my gaze.

I am invisible. Persona non grata.

From my vantage point, I can no longer see Steph's saddened expression, only her lace train rustling behind her in the breeze. Brad is grinning from ear to ear as his bride approaches. I wait until Steph kisses her father and joins Brad beneath the pergola, their hands intertwining, the justice of the peace looking on with what appears to be unfettered relief.

I set down my bouquet and quickly hand the ring I'm wearing to a nearby attendant with specific instructions. I exit the hall, my two boys flanking me like bodyguards as I scurry away in shame.