Jasper knocked on the door. He said something had come up at the office and he needed to leave. He wanted a goodbye kiss.
He waited outside for a long time, hearing nothing but the rush of water. A prickle of unease made him reach for the door handle, but then Vivienne Blake's call came through.
"Jasper, you promised to come help me try on wedding dresses today. When are you getting here?"
Jasper glanced one more time at the sealed bathroom door, then lowered his voice. "I know, sweetheart. On my way."
He left in a hurry.
Hilda slid down the door until she was sitting on the cold tile floor, her back pressed against it. Only after his footsteps faded to nothing did the last thread holding her together snap, and a wail tore from her throat.
Grandma was lying in a hospital bed, still asking about the wedding. Hilda's jaw trembled the entire time she lied.
Over and over she said, I'm fine. Jasper's wonderful. Everything's fine.
But Grandma didn't believe her. Fighting through her illness, she went to Jasper's company behind Hilda's back and ran into Vivienne Blake at the front desk.
"This is Fairmont Group, ma'am. Are you confused? Why would your granddaughter's husband be here?"