She told me Travis had insisted they speak privately before continuing the ceremony.
He’d asked her why she had lied about Sophie.
At first, Amanda defended herself. She blamed the pressure, the expense, and my interruption.
But Travis refused to let her change the subject.
Eventually, she admitted she knew excluding Sophie would hurt Travis and the rest of our family.
She’d hoped nobody would challenge her.
They had gone ahead with the wedding, although Travis had made it clear that the conversation wasn’t finished.
“I looked through your album afterward,” Amanda said.
I waited.
“I didn’t remember writing that message to Sophie.”
“You did.”
“I know. I remember now.”
She took a breath.
“And I remember that picture of us. The one where you’re holding my hand.”
For several moments, neither of us spoke.
“I’ve hated photographs of myself since I was little,” Amanda admitted. “Even now, I find myself looking for that scar first. I know it’s ridiculous.”
