Chapter 5 - The Rehearsal Dinner SignatureThe rehearsal dinner was held in the garden at Ashbourne Estate.
Hundreds of candles floated in glass bowls. A string quartet played beneath oak trees wrapped in lights. Guests praised the beauty of the evening and congratulated me on creating such a magnificent celebration.
I smiled for photographs.
Inside, I felt as though I were disappearing.
Before dinner, Eleanor brought me a small cup of broth.
“You have barely eaten,” she said.
Maya reached for it.
“I will check the ingredients.”
Eleanor pulled it away.
“It is broth, not poison.”
The word hung between them.
Maya stared at her.
Eleanor smiled.
“You have become very dramatic.”
I should have refused the cup.
Instead, embarrassed by the tension, I drank.
Within half an hour, my thoughts slowed. Music seemed to come from far away. When guests spoke, I needed several seconds to understand them.
Preston arrived with a folder.
“The venue needs your final authorization.”
Maya stepped forward.
“He is not signing anything tonight.”
Eleanor blocked her.
“You are an employee.”
“I am responsible for his medical safety.”
“And I am his wife.”
People nearby began watching.
I hated scenes.
I hated appearing weak.
“Give me the papers,” I said.
Maya knelt beside my wheelchair.
“Mr. Hartwell, tell me today’s date.”
I looked at her.
The answer should have been simple.
I could not find it.
Preston shifted the folder behind his leg.
Maya saw the movement.
“What is in that folder?”
“Wedding documents.”
“Then they can wait until morning.”
Eleanor’s voice sharpened.
“You are dismissed for the evening.”
Maya did not move.
I wanted to support her.
Instead, shame made me cruel.
“Maya, please go.”
Her face remained composed, but disappointment passed through her eyes.
“Yes, sir.”
As she walked away, Olivia watched from the terrace.
Preston returned the folder to my lap.
“Just one signature.”
He opened to a highlighted page.
The print blurred.
“Where?”
“Here.”
I signed.
Eleanor immediately closed the folder.
A few minutes later, applause erupted as Olivia entered the garden in a simple white rehearsal dress.
Everyone stood.
I remained in my wheelchair, fighting to keep my eyes open.
Olivia crossed the lawn toward me rather than Preston.
“Are you all right?”
“Only tired.”
She looked at Eleanor, then at the empty broth cup.
“What did he take?”
Eleanor laughed.
“Now you are a doctor too?”
Olivia ignored her.
She turned toward Preston.
“What was in the folder?”
“Nothing that concerns you.”
“I am supposed to become your wife tomorrow. Everything concerns me.”
His hand tightened around her wrist.
The contact lasted only a second, but I saw Olivia flinch.
She pulled away.
“Do not touch me like that again.”
Nearby guests pretended not to notice.
Preston lowered his voice.
“You are humiliating me.”
“No,” Olivia said. “You are doing that yourself.”
She left the garden.
Preston followed her toward the main building.
Eleanor picked up the folder containing my signature and disappeared through another door.
May you like
I tried to call her name.
My voice was barely a whisper.
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