She sat on the floor near the window, clutching her knees tightly against her chest.
Her veil had fallen beside her.
Mascara streaked her cheeks.
She trembled uncontrollably.
Across the room, Ethan stood motionless.
His face had lost all color.
"What happened?" Thomas demanded.
Neither of them answered.
Margaret immediately knelt beside Olivia.
"My dear..."
She reached out gently.
Olivia flinched.
The movement broke Margaret's heart.
"It's all right."
"No..."
Olivia whispered.
"It's not."
Margaret exchanged a worried glance with her husband.
"Ethan."
His father spoke firmly.
"Explain."
Ethan stared toward the floor.
"I..."
His voice disappeared.
"What happened?"
Still nothing.
Finally Olivia spoke.
Barely above a whisper.
"He lied."
Margaret frowned.
"What do you mean?"
"He never wanted to marry me."
The words landed like stones.
Thomas looked sharply toward his son.
"Is that true?"
Ethan closed his eyes.
"No."
Olivia shook her head.
"It is."
"He told me tonight."
The room became perfectly still.
"He said this wedding was never about love."
Margaret felt her stomach tighten.
"Ethan..."
He covered his face with both hands.
"I didn't know how to stop everything."
"What are you talking about?"
"The invitations were already sent."
"The families..."
"The church..."
"The reception..."
"I couldn't cancel it."
Thomas stepped closer.
"So you married her anyway?"
Ethan nodded once.
"I thought maybe my feelings would change."
Olivia looked at him with quiet disbelief.