Chapter 6: The Account in My Name

We moved into the bridal suite while the guests remained outside.

Grace sat before the mirror in her torn gown, and Owen stood by the door.

“Answer him,” I said.

“What else did you buy?”

Grace pulled off her veil.

“Shoes, accessories, bridesmaid gifts.

Wedding things.”

“Nearly ten thousand dollars of wedding things in Hannah’s name?” Evelyn asked.

“I intended to pay it.”

“With what?” Owen said.

“You told me you had twelve thousand dollars saved.”

“I did.”

“Then why is your account almost empty?”

Grace’s head snapped toward him.

“You checked my account?”

“It became our joint account yesterday.”

Mother lowered herself into a chair.

“Grace, where did the money go?”

“That is none of Hannah’s business.”

“It became my business when you used my name.”

Grace pointed at me.

“Drop this, or I will tell the bank you approved everything.”

“I didn’t.”

“You gave me the security answer.”

I stared at her.

“You asked for Grandmother’s maiden name because you said the wedding website needed a family password.”

Grace’s mouth tightened.

Daniel took out his phone.

“I’m calling the financing company.”

She rushed toward him.

“Wait.”

“Don’t touch him,” I said.

Grace stopped and lowered her voice.

“Hannah, I can fix this.

I’ll sell the dress.

I’ll return the gifts.

Give me one week.”

“You had weeks to tell me.”

“If you report it, Owen will leave.”

Owen opened the door.

“I’ve already left.”

Grace looked at him as though he had struck the air from her lungs.

Mother stood.

“Grace, give Hannah your phone.”

“No.”

“Give it to her.”

“You don’t get to become brave now, Mom.”

Mother flinched.

Grace turned to me.

“Ask her who told me you would step aside.

Ask her who said you’d had your beautiful wedding and should let me have the grand one.”

I faced Mother.

“Did you know about the dress?”

Mother gripped the back of the chair.

“I knew she had chosen the same design.”

“You knew?”

“Grace said you no longer wanted it.”

“She talked me out of it.”

“I thought it was foolish, but I told myself it was only a dress.”

Grace laughed bitterly.

“You told me Hannah always gives in eventually.”

Mother’s eyes closed.

I pressed the sapphire brooch into her hand.

“That is the problem.

You both treated my kindness as permission.”

“Hannah—”

“No.

Say it plainly.”

Mother opened her eyes.

“I taught Grace that your no did not matter.”

Grace kicked the overnight bag aside.

“Wonderful.

Now everyone can blame me and forgive Mom.”

“No one said anything about forgiveness,” I replied.

A knock sounded at the door.

Celeste entered with a folder and a tablet.

Grace rose quickly.

“You have no right to be here.”

Celeste placed the folder on the dressing table.

“My business was used to open an account under false information.

That gives me every right.”

“She approved it.”

“Then you won’t mind hearing the call.”

Celeste touched the tablet.

Grace’s recorded voice filled the room.

“My sister gets confused about paperwork.

Use her saved profile.

She said it was fine.”

The recording continued.

“If she calls, tell her the application expired.

She never follows up on anything.”

Grace lunged for the tablet, but Evelyn caught her arm.

Celeste turned off the recording.

“There is also security video of you signing Hannah’s name.”

Grace looked toward the window.

Daniel moved in front of it.

“Don’t.”

Her phone began ringing inside the bag.

Owen picked it up and read the caller’s name.

“Why is the vineyard manager calling you about a refund?” he asked.

Grace said nothing.

Owen answered on speaker.

“Mrs.

Mercer,” the manager said, “we processed your request this morning.

The canceled reception deposit has been transferred to the account ending in 4412.”

Evelyn stared at Grace.

“You canceled the reception before the ceremony?”