The groomâs mother lowered her eyes.
She could no longer look at her son.
âI thought I was protecting your future,â she whispered.
The confession landed harder than a scream.
The bride stepped back, her hand slipping away from the groomâs arm as if she had touched something she no longer recognized.
âProtecting him?â she repeated, her voice hollow. âFrom what?â
The older womanâs lips trembled.
âFrom a mistake,â she said. âFrom a life that wouldâve held him back.â
A stunned murmur spread through the guests.
The groom stared at his mother as something inside him began breaking apart piece by piece.
âYou told me she lost the baby,â he said slowly. âYou told me it didnât survive.â
