Chapter 3 - The Price of a Dream
The wedding budget grew almost every week.
Vanessa upgraded the guest villas.
Then she replaced the flowers.
Then she changed the menu because a famous lifestyle reporter had accepted an invitation.
She demanded imported orchids, handmade candles, custom perfume for every guest, and a designer champagne tower constructed over the main swimming pool.
Whenever Claire questioned the expenses, Vanessa acted wounded.
“You said you wanted this to be special.”
“I do,” Claire replied. “But special does not mean unlimited.”
Margaret began joining the calls.
“You are embarrassing Vanessa by discussing money,” she told Claire.
“Someone needs to discuss it. I am the person paying.”
Margaret lowered her voice.
“Do not say that in front of Ethan’s family.”
Claire was silent.
“Why?”
“They might think Vanessa cannot afford her own wedding.”
“She cannot.”
“That is not the point.”
The point, Claire realized, was appearance.
Her parents wanted their friends to believe Richard had paid for the island. Vanessa wanted magazine editors to assume Ethan’s family had funded the celebration. No one intended to mention Claire.
Even the official wedding website thanked both sets of parents for making the event possible.
Claire’s name appeared only in the bridal party section.
Maid of honor.
Lily’s name appeared beneath hers.
Flower girl.
Claire considered withdrawing her financial support.
Then Lily began practicing for the ceremony.
Every evening, she walked through the living room carrying a basket filled with paper flowers.
“Am I going too fast?” she asked.
“You are doing perfectly.”
“What happens if I make a mistake?”
“Nothing terrible.”
“What if Aunt Vanessa gets angry?”
Claire paused.
“Why would you think that?”
Lily shrugged.
“She gets angry when things are not perfect.”
Claire knelt beside her.
“Weddings are about people, not perfection.”
Lily nodded, but she did not look convinced.
A week later, Claire received a call from Ethan.
He sounded uncomfortable.
“I wanted to thank you.”
“For what?”
“For helping with the wedding.”
Claire looked out across Manhattan from her office window.
“Vanessa told you?”
“Not exactly. I saw one of the invoices.”
Claire waited.
Ethan continued.
“She said your family was dividing the costs, but your company’s name was on the payment information.”
Claire chose her words carefully.
“My parents are going through a difficult financial period. Vanessa did not want to reduce the scale of the wedding.”
“I would have reduced it.”
“I know.”
“Does Vanessa know you own the resort?”
“No. The acquisition is confidential until renovations begin.”
Ethan was quiet.
“Why keep it from her?”
“Because she would treat the staff differently if she knew her sister owned the island.”
Ethan released a slow breath.
“That answer worries me.”
“It should.”
Neither of them said more.
Three days before the wedding, Claire and Lily flew to Saint Barthélemy.
From the air, Aurore Island looked like a green jewel surrounded by blue glass.
Lily pressed her face to the window.
“Is this really yours?”
“It belongs to the company.”
“That means yes.”
Claire laughed.
“For now, it means we are responsible for taking care of it.”
Lily watched the island grow larger beneath them.
“Do we have to take care of everyone there too?”
Claire looked at her daughter.
May you like
“We have to make sure they are safe.”
She did not know how soon that promise would be tested.
