That told me how deeply Ida’s cruelty had hurt her.
“I think Glen loves us more than anything in the world.”
I truly believed it.
I just didn’t know how far he was prepared to go to prove it.
By the time we reached the venue, my nerves felt more shredded than Lily’s ruined dress.
Ida had promised there would be no groom waiting.
Instead, Glen stood at the entrance.
He immediately knelt and gently cupped Lily’s face.
“You look beautiful,” he told her. “The most beautiful flower girl in the whole world.”
“Grandma Ida ruined my dress,” Lily said quietly.
“I know, sweetheart. But you’re going to have the best day anyway. I promise you that.”
He stood and kissed my forehead.
“Glen, what did you do about your mother?”
“Nothing yet,” he said. “She’s here. She’s sitting in the front row.”
After everything she’d done, that was the last response I expected.
“Why?”
“I want her here tonight. There’s something she needs to understand.”
My chest tightened.
“Glen, you’re scaring me. Please just tell me what you’re planning.”
“Trust me,” he said softly. “For once in her life, my mother is going to hear the truth in front of people who matter.”
I still didn’t know what he meant.
But there was no time left to ask.
The music began.
Glen hurried away.
Lily gripped her basket of petals in both hands.
“Are you ready?” I whispered to her.
“Ready, Mommy.”
She walked down the aisle, scattering petals exactly as she’d practiced a hundred times in our living room.
Watching her, my heart swelled.
Then it was my turn.
When I reached the altar, Glen took my hands.
For a few precious minutes, Ida disappeared from my thoughts.
But she hadn’t forgotten about us.
She sat in the front row wearing a deep burgundy dress, watching Lily with the same cold disapproval she’d shown from the beginning.
When our eyes met during the vows, her lips curled into a faint sneer.
That was when I understood why Glen had wanted her there.
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