Chapter 7: The Hidden Reason She Chose Me
Rebecca didn’t leave.
Not after that.
She stood near the chapel doors, watching all of us.
Waiting.
Like she knew the next few minutes would change everything.
I hated that I didn’t understand her anymore.
Two hours earlier, I thought I knew the woman I was about to marry.
Now she felt like a stranger wearing a familiar face.
I looked at her.
“What was Thomas going to say?””
Rebecca crossed her arms.
“He’s angry.””
“That’s not an answer.””
“He’s been angry since Laura died.””
My expression changed.
“Don’t use my wife’s name to defend yourself.””
She flinched.
Good.
Because Laura’s name wasn’t a weapon.
It was a memory.
It was Emily’s mother.
Rebecca looked around.
“Do you really want everyone here for this?””
I looked at the guests.
Then at my daughter.
“Yes.””
Her face tightened.
“Fine.””
She walked slowly toward the altar.
“I didn’t marry you because of Emily.””
I felt a strange relief.
Because at least she finally admitted something.
Rebecca continued.
“I married you because I loved you.””
I stared at her.
“Love doesn’t look like this.””
She ignored me.
“When I met you, you were broken.””
I almost interrupted.
But she continued.
“You were raising Emily alone. You were exhausted. You needed someone.””
Her voice became emotional.
“And I was that person.””
I remembered those days.
She had appeared when I was struggling.
She brought dinner.
She helped Emily with homework.
She sat beside me during the nights when I missed Laura.
She looked like my rescue.
But maybe she had simply studied my weakness.
“I trusted you,” I said.
“I know.””
“And you used that.””
Her eyes moved away.
That was enough.
Then Maria stepped forward.
“There’s something else.””
Rebecca looked furious.
“Maria, don’t.””
But Maria continued.
“She asked me to pack Emily’s things two weeks ago.””
Emily looked up.
“Two weeks?””
I turned.
“Why didn’t you tell me?””
Maria’s eyes filled with tears.
“Because Rebecca threatened to fire me.””
The anger inside me became something colder.
“She threatened you?””
Maria nodded.
“She said if I told you, she would make sure I never worked with children again.””
Rebecca sighed.
“You’re exaggerating.””
“No,” Maria said.
Her voice shook.
“But I kept proof.””
She reached into her purse.
She pulled out her phone.
Everyone watched as she opened a recording.
Rebecca’s own voice filled the chapel.
“Emily can’t stay after the wedding. Daniel will understand once we’re married.””
My blood ran cold.
Then another voice.
Maria.
“What if he doesn’t?””
Rebecca’s recorded voice answered:
“He will. Men always choose their wives eventually.””
Nobody spoke.
Not even Rebecca.
Because there was no explanation.
No excuse.
Just the truth.
Emily slowly lifted her head.
“Daddy?””
I looked down.
“Yes?””
“Did she really think you would choose her over me?””
That question broke something inside me.
I hugged her.
“No.””
I looked directly at Rebecca.
“I never will.””
Rebecca’s face changed.
The confidence disappeared.
For the first time, she looked afraid.
But then she smiled slightly.
A small, cold smile.
“You still don’t know everything.””
I stared at her.
“What does that mean?””
She reached into her purse.
And pulled out a photograph.
A photograph of Laura.
But not the one I knew.
This was a picture I had never seen before.
Rebecca placed it on the altar.
“Your wife knew my family.””
My heart stopped.
“What?””
May you like
She whispered:
“Laura knew exactly who I was.””
