“Ethan?” Caroline whispered loudly. “Who are they?” Ethan couldn’t speak. He was hyperventilating, staring at the boys as if they were apparitions. Leo, my bravest, looked up at him with those identical hazel eyes and tilted his head. “What is the meaning of this?!” Eleanor finally shrieked, breaking the silence.
She marched toward me, her hands shaking so violently she spilled her drink on her couture gown. “Security! Get her out of here! How dare you pull a stunt like this!” “No stunt, Eleanor,” I said, my voice calm, steady, and carrying across the entire room.
“You sent me an invitation. You even gave me a plus three. I’m just here to enjoy the champagne and introduce my sons to their grandmother.” Gasps erupted from the tables. Cell phones quietly slipped out of purses. The old-money elites were getting the scandal of the decade served right on a silver platter.
“Sons?” Caroline shrieked, dropping her own bouquet. “Ethan, what is she talking about?!” Ethan finally found his voice, though it was barely a croak. “Are… are they mine?” “They were born eight months after you had your lawyers throw me out of the penthouse,” I replied evenly.
“But don’t worry. I don’t want your money, Ethan. I didn’t want it then, and I don’t want it now. I just thought it was only fair to RSVP in person.” Eleanor looked like she was going to lunge at me, but Ethan put a hand out to stop her.
He took a step closer to the boys, tears welling in his eyes. The reality of what he had thrown away—a family, three beautiful sons—was hitting him like a freight train. He reached a hand out toward Julian. I took a step back, pulling the boys gently with me.
“Look, but don’t touch,” I said softly, but loud enough for him to hear. “You chose your family’s reputation over us a long time ago.
I just wanted your mother to see exactly what her meddling cost you.” I looked at Eleanor one last time.
The absolute horror, the sheer social destruction in her eyes, was worth every sleepless night of the last five years. Her perfect narrative was destroyed forever. The Montgomery name would be tied to this scandal for generations. “Enjoy the wedding,” I smiled at Caroline, who was currently sobbing onto her maid of honor’s shoulder.
I turned around, my head held high, and walked my three beautiful boys right back out the towering oak doors. I didn’t stay for the cake. I didn’t stay to watch Ethan try to salvage his new marriage. I had delivered my wedding gift, and as we drove away from the Lake Geneva estate, I had never felt so light in my entire life.
