Chapter 2 - The Wedding Request
Vanessa called Claire eleven months before the wedding.
She did not begin with hello.
“I need a favor.”
Vanessa had become engaged to Nathan Cole, a successful architect from Boston. His family was wealthy, private, and respected. Vanessa wanted a wedding impressive enough to convince them that the Bennetts belonged in the same world.
She had discovered Marisol Island through a travel magazine.
“It’s perfect,” Vanessa said. “Private beaches, villas, sunset ceremonies. Mom thinks you might know someone who can get us a discount.”
Claire almost laughed.
Marisol was booked for eighteen months, but Claire could make an exception. She still carried the foolish hope that generosity might create the family closeness she had never experienced.
“How many guests?” Claire asked.
“One hundred and forty.”
“That is a large event for the island.”
“Nathan’s family expects luxury.”
Vanessa listed her demands: imported roses, a six-tier cake, custom fireworks, private chefs, live musicians, designer accommodations, and three days of celebrations.
Claire calculated the cost silently.
It would exceed one and a half million dollars before transportation.
“What is your budget?” she asked.
Vanessa became offended.
“I thought you said you could help.”
Claire should have refused.
Instead, she offered the island as her wedding gift.
There was a long silence.
“You can get it for free?”
“I can arrange it.”
Vanessa squealed and immediately called their mother.
Within an hour, Claire received a family group message congratulating Vanessa on securing her dream venue.
No one thanked Claire.
Over the following months, Vanessa treated Claire like an unpaid wedding coordinator. She sent messages at midnight demanding menu changes. She replaced the flowers three times. She complained that one villa was too far from the beach for their parents, then rejected the closer villa because its balcony was smaller.
Claire handled every request.
She told herself she was doing it for Nathan, who seemed kind, and for Lily, who was thrilled to be a flower girl.
“You’ll look like a princess,” Claire promised.
Lily practiced walking with a basket in the hallway every evening.
May you like
For once, she believed she was truly included in the family.
Claire wanted to believe it too.
