Then I revealed the final part.
“There was no legal marriage today.”
Oliver stared at me.
“I cancelled the paperwork yesterday.”
The room filled with whispers.
He looked stunned.
“You did what?”
“I cancelled the marriage.”
I looked at him calmly.
“The ceremony was only a performance.”
For the first time, he seemed to understand that his plan had completely failed.
I did not stay to argue.
I walked toward my children.
Selena asked if we were leaving.
“Immediately,” I said.
Harry smiled.
“Are we getting pancakes?”
“Yes.”
“Chocolate sauce?”
“Absolutely.”
We left together.
Chelsea was standing near the entrance. When she saw me, she looked worried.
I stopped beside her.
“Thank you,” I whispered.
She smiled.
“You deserved to know.”
I squeezed her hand before walking away.
At the restaurant, we sat together still dressed for a wedding that would never happen.
Harry removed his tie.
Selena ordered strawberry pancakes.
Mika asked for whipped cream.
For the first time in two days, I laughed.
A real laugh.
My phone continued vibrating with messages from Oliver and his family, but I ignored them.
That morning belonged to the children.
Later, Selena asked me a difficult question.
