I opened the folder again and reread the earliest messages. The older ones. The audition ones.
I wasn’t wrong. My fiancée was guilty. She’d had months to make one different choice, and she hadn’t.
***
The setback came two days before the party.
Claire mentioned it while she was chopping peppers, casual as ever.
Maybe I was wrong.
“I’ve been researching some excellent programs in Vermont for Grace. Her science aptitude would flourish there! Mom thinks it’s a wonderful idea!”
The knife kept going.
I kept my voice light.
“Vermont, huh?”
“Just something to think about. After the honeymoon.”
“I’ll think about it.”
I smiled. She smiled back, relieved. That was the last of my doubt, neatly chopped up on a cutting board.
“I’ll think about it.”
***
That night, I called my brother, Marcus.
“Ben, it’s almost midnight.”
“I know. I need your tech expertise. I’m forwarding you a chat thread. Messages from months ago.”
