We may also be able to transfer a small piece of undamaged lace from your original gown into the lining near your heart.”
Nora cried again, but this time she hugged Celeste.
The emergency work was expensive.
I asked for everything in writing.
On the way home Nora asked why.
“Because Madison is paying for what she destroyed.”
She looked nervous.
“Your parents will lose their minds.”
“Then they can lose them.”
When we returned, my family was eating casserole in the kitchen as if the afternoon had been resolved.
Madison was scrolling on her phone.
I asked her to put it down.
“I want you to apologize to Nora.”
Madison did not even look up.
“I already said it was a joke.”
“That is not an apology.”
My mother jumped in.
“Daniel, she knows she went too far.”
“Then she can say it.”
Madison finally looked at Nora.
Her expression contained annoyance, not remorse.
“Fine.
Sorry you got upset.”
“No,” I said.
Dad groaned.
“Daniel.”
“No.
She is not apologizing for Nora having feelings.
She needs to apologize for taking property that was not hers and intentionally destroying it.”
Madison pushed her chair back.
“God, listen to yourself.”
Then she looked directly at Nora.
“If a dress can ruin your whole wedding, maybe Daniel should find out now what kind of woman he’s marrying.”
That was when I went upstairs.
I returned with a folder and my laptop.
I placed three documents on the kitchen table.
The first was the original boutique receipt.
The second was Celeste’s emergency estimate.
The third was the certified marriage record Nora and I had received after our courthouse ceremony.
Madison read the heading twice.
Mom leaned closer.
Dad stopped moving.
“What is that?” Mom asked.
“Our marriage certificate.”
“You’re already married?”
“Yes.”
Nora reached for my hand beneath the table.
I looked at Madison.
“So first, stop talking about what kind of woman I’m going to marry.
I already married her.”
Nobody answered.
Then I pulled another sheet from the folder.
It was the church guest list.
I had crossed out twelve names.
Every relative who had laughed at the pool was on it.
Mom stared at her name.
“You’re not serious.”
“I am.”
Dad’s face darkened.
“You are excluding your mother and father from your wedding because your sister made a stupid mistake?”
“No.
I’m excluding people who watched my wife get humiliated and treated her pain like entertainment.”
“That includes your grandparents?” Mom demanded.
“It includes anyone who laughed.”
Grandpa, seated near the end of the table, looked down.
He did not argue.
Madison laughed nervously.
“This is insane.”
I opened my laptop.
“There’s one more thing.”
Our patio security camera was mainly for insurance purposes because the pool sat near a side gate.
I had almost forgotten that it recorded audio.
The footage began with Nora carrying grocery bags from my aunt’s car.
Madison appeared forty seconds later holding the garment bag.
Nora noticed.
She hurried after her.
The microphone picked up their voices clearly.
“Madison, please put that back.”
“You panic about everything.”
“My mother chose that dress.
Please.”
Then came the sentence Nora had not repeated to me.
Madison said, “Your mother isn’t here anymore.
Stop using her whenever you want sympathy.”
Mom covered her mouth.
Dad slowly
