“She knew. She knew Jack was my father. She still wrote. She still cared.”
Dad whispered, “Sarah knew?”
Grandma looked at him in disgust.
“She always knew more than you deserved.”
Lily faced Dad.
“And you paid money so I would stay gone?”
Dad’s mouth opened.
Closed.
“I was trying to help.”
“No,” Lily said. “You were trying to hide.”
That sentence hit him like a slap.
Valerie suddenly grabbed Dad’s arm.
“Say something. Tell her I loved her.”
Lily looked at Valerie.
“Did you?”
Valerie’s face collapsed.
“I gave you up because I loved you.”
Lily’s voice trembled.
“You told everyone I died.”
Valerie had no answer.
The officiant stood frozen at the altar, holding his little black book like a shield.
Then the police arrived.
Not with sirens.
Just two detectives in suits and three uniformed officers walking down the aisle with terrible calm.
Detective Marsh stopped beside Valerie.
“Valerie Collins?”
Valerie whispered, “No.”
“You are being placed under arrest for leaving the scene of a fatal accident, obstruction, and financial fraud. Additional charges may follow.”
The guests exploded.
Valerie screamed.
Dad stepped backward.
Marsh turned to him.
“Jack Collins, we’ll need you to come with us as well.”
Dad looked at me.