“I mean it.”
“So do I.” Mia turned slightly, and Daniel stepped forward, holding out a folder. Evelyn came up behind him, her expression calm enough to make the air colder. “This is Evelyn Hart, my attorney,” Mia said. “She has copies of the court-admissible paternity test, the birth certificate application, and the petition for child support and establishment of parental responsibility.”
Adrian blinked. “You brought a lawyer to my wedding?”
“You brought a mistress to my marriage,” Mia said softly. “We all make bold choices.”
Someone gasped. Someone else whispered, “Oh my God.” Patricia’s face twisted. Celeste’s eyes widened with hatred, but beneath it, Mia saw fear.
Evelyn handed Adrian the first envelope. “Mr. Whitmore, you have been served.” Her tone was professional, almost bored. “The court date is listed inside. You are also advised not to contact my client directly except through counsel.” Adrian stared at the envelope as if it might explode in his hand. “This is insane,” he muttered.
“No,” Evelyn said. “It’s organized.”
Celeste stepped forward, her veil trembling behind her. “Adrian, tell her. Tell everyone she’s lying.” Her voice rose as she turned to the guests. “She’s bitter. She couldn’t handle that he moved on. She’s trying to ruin our day because she couldn’t give him a family.” The old words hung in the air, ugly and familiar. Mia felt them pass over her without entering.
Before Adrian could answer, Elise woke up. Her tiny face scrunched, her mouth opened, and a cry rose into the Charleston air. It was small, furious, and perfectly timed. Mia shifted her gently, whispering, “I know, sweetheart. Bad manners everywhere.”
A ripple moved through the guests. A few women softened visibly. One older man near the aisle removed his sunglasses and stared hard at Adrian. Celeste’s performance faltered because no one likes a bride screaming over a newborn, especially when the newborn may be the groom’s child. Adrian knew it too. His eyes darted around the estate, measuring damage.
“Fine,” he said through his teeth. “We’ll handle this later.”
“We will,” Mia said. “But that’s not why I came.”
Adrian’s head snapped up. Celeste went still. Patricia’s hand flew to her throat. The second folder appeared in Ruth Bellamy’s hands, and for the first time that day, Celeste looked as if she might faint.
