Chapter 3

Serena comes toward me with both hands out.

"Audrey."

I step aside before she can take mine.

"Is there a problem with the arrangements?"

"No. You've been wonderful."

Julian stands by the fireplace.

There's a photograph of us on the mantel.

It was taken the day he proposed.

Neither of them seems to have noticed it.

Serena follows my gaze.

Her smile falters.

Then she looks down.

"People are saying things."

"What people?"

"Does it matter?" Julian asks.

"It seems to matter to you."

He crosses the room and puts his hand against Serena's back.

"She shouldn't have to start her marriage with everyone treating her like she stole something."

I look at him.

He looks away first.

"What do you want?"

"A gesture," he says. "Something that shows there's no bitterness between the families."

"My family hasn't said a word publicly."

"Exactly. The silence makes people speculate."

Serena lifts her head.

"I've always admired your mother."

My fingers tighten around the strap of my bag.

"She had such beautiful taste."

"No," I say.

Neither of them has finished asking.

They don't need to.

Julian's expression hardens.

"Listen first."

"I am listening."

Serena glances at him.

"The dress would only need a few alterations."

The room seems to lose its air.

My mother started making it the year Julian proposed.

At first, she worked at the dining table with the windows open.

Later, when her hands began to shake, she stitched in bed.

Some days she could manage only a few inches.

She kept apologizing for being slow.

As though I was the one running out of time.

Last month, I sat beside her hospital bed and told her we could have a small ceremony.

No flowers.

No reception.

Just her, my father, and someone to witness the vows.

She smiled.

"That would be more than enough."

I called Julian from the corridor.

He listened while messages kept sounding on his other phone.

Serena's project was in the news that day.

"I can't make a decision like this in ten minutes," he said.

My mother died nine days later.

The dress is still in her room.

Serena touches Julian's sleeve.

"I wouldn't ask if it didn't mean so much."

"To you," I say.

Julian exhales.

"Audrey."

"She made it for me."

"And she'd want it to be worn."

"Don't tell me what my mother would want."

The words come out louder than I intend.

Serena steps back.

Julian moves in front of her.

"There's no need for that."

For a moment, I can only stare at him.

He knows.

He saw the dress.

He heard my mother say she wanted to see me walk down the aisle.

He knows exactly what he's asking me to hand over.

"I've arranged a dress for Serena already," I say. "The designer has her measurements. It will be ready for collection tomorrow."

"This would mean more."

"Then find something else that means more."

His face changes.

The warmth leaves it so completely that I wonder how often I've mistaken its absence for stress.

"Be careful, Audrey."

"About what?"

"Your mother's name is attached to a great deal of work the group funded."

I go still.

Three years ago, after the accident, my mother helped establish a relief fund for injured workers and their families.

My father's company contributed money and equipment.

Julian was facing questions about his handling of the project.

My parents helped keep the relief effort moving when his own team couldn't organize it.

"You wouldn't," I say.

"The old correspondence could raise questions."

"Only if you lie about it."

"If the story becomes that the fund was used to protect the company's reputation, people will draw their own conclusions."

I feel my nails press into my palm.

Serena says nothing.

She doesn't look shocked.

Julian lowers his voice.

"I'm trying to avoid more unpleasantness. So are you."

"My mother is dead."

"I know."

"And you're threatening her."

"I'm asking you to think about what matters."

For a second, I want to hit him.

Then I think about the dress.

The tiny stitches.

The way my mother's fingers ached.

I let go of my bag strap.

"You'll have a dress," I say.

Serena's eyes brighten.

Julian relaxes.

"There. Was that so difficult?"

I turn before he can touch me.

Outside, Lucy is waiting.

She takes one look at my face.

"What did they ask for?"

"My mother's wedding dress."

Her mouth opens.

I shake my head.

"Get the car."

"Audrey—"

"They're not getting it."