I set down my water glass.
"He kept the girls isolated."
Penelope appeared beside me. "Dad."
Mia's eyes were wet. "Please tell me you heard that."
"I heard."
Lucille's voice was low. "Say the word."
Piper whispered, "Not here. Please."
Shannon just stared at Maya.
I took one step forward.
"Please tell me you heard that."
Adele touched my arm.
"Not yet, Dad."
"She's lying about all of us."
"I know."
"Then why wait?"
Adele looked toward the white box near the gift table.
"Because this time, we're not answering a lie with anger. We're answering it with proof."
Across the room, Maya laughed like she was winning.
"She's lying about all of us."
***
Before the planned speeches ended, Maya stood and reached for the microphone.
"If I may," she said, smiling at Harry. "A mother should say a few words on her daughter's wedding day."
My chair scraped back.
