I stopped halfway down the aisle. My heart was steady.
“I won’t take long,” I said. “I’m just delivering something that belongs to you.”
I held up the folder.
Lauren looked confused. “Daniel? What is this?”
He said nothing.
I continued walking until I reached the front. I handed the folder to the officiant.
“Please read the highlighted section aloud.”
The church fell silent except for the soft breathing of my son.
The officiant’s voice trembled as he read. “Due to verified abandonment of spouse and minor child, the estate of Thomas Whitaker has been legally transferred in full to the lawful spouse and child.”
Lauren’s bouquet slipped from her hands.
Daniel stepped forward angrily. “This is private—this is manipulation—”
“It’s public record,” I said evenly.
I looked at him—not with hatred, but clarity.
“You left your wife and newborn son in a blizzard. You chose money over your child. And because of that choice, you forfeited everything.”
Lauren’s face drained of color. “You told me she was unstable,” she whispered. “You said she made everything up.”
I met her eyes. “I begged him to stay. He shut the door.”
She stepped away from him, as though distance might protect her.