ON MY SON’S WEDDING MORNING, OUR FAMILY DRIVER PUSHED ME INTO THE TRUNK AND THREW A BLANKET OVER …

“I object.”

My voice was clear.

Steady.

Undeniable.

Gasps erupted throughout the cathedral like a wave crashing.

Shocked whispers exploded instantly.

“What did she just—?”

“Oh my god.”

“The mother of the groom—”

Blake spun around, face stricken with confusion and horror.

“Mom, what are you doing?”

Tyler’s mouth fell open.

“Mrs. Hayes…”

Natasha’s composure shattered instantly.

Her voice trembled, desperate.

“Mrs. Hayes, this isn’t appropriate. This isn’t the time—”

Reverend Gibson stood frozen, completely unprepared for this moment despite conducting hundreds of weddings.

“Mrs. Hayes, this is most unusual. I mean, if you have concerns, perhaps we should discuss this privately.”

I walked toward the altar, each step deliberate and measured.

My heels clicked against marble.

The whispers grew louder around me.

Guests turning to each other.

Standing to see better.

Phones being discreetly pulled out.

“This wedding cannot proceed.”

My voice carried through the entire cathedral, reaching every corner.

“I’m sorry to everyone gathered here, but it cannot.”

Blake stepped toward me, his face a mixture of betrayal and desperate confusion.

“Mom, what are you saying? Have you lost your mind? This is my wedding day.”

I stopped at the altar steps, just below where he and Natasha stood.

My eyes met my son’s.

Those eyes so much like Bernard’s.

My heart broke.

But I didn’t waver.

“No, sweetheart. I finally found it.”

I turned my gaze to Natasha.

She stood frozen, bouquet trembling in her hands.

The perfect bride facade cracking before everyone’s eyes.

“This is insane,” Natasha said, her voice rising with panic. “You’re ruining—this is my wedding. Our wedding, Blake. Your mother is—”

I cut her off.

My voice still calm.

Still controlled.

“Because the woman standing at this altar is already married.”

The cathedral erupted.

Louder gasps.

Stunned exclamations.

Chairs scraping as people stood.

“What?”

“She’s married?”

“To who?”

The whispers became a roar.

Blake staggered backward like I’d physically struck him.

“What are you talking about, Mom? That’s impossible. We’ve been together two years. She’s never—”

Tyler caught Blake’s arm, steadying him, his own face pale with shock.

Natasha’s voice turned shrill, desperate.

“That’s not true. She’s lying. She’s completely lying.”

“Blake, don’t listen to her. Your mother is trying to sabotage us because she never wanted you to move on after your father—”

I kept my gaze locked on Natasha.

Unwavering.

“Tell them. Tell everyone here about Brett. Tell them about Zoe.”

Silence fell like a hammer.

Every eye fixed on Natasha.

Her face went from white to gray.