Chapter 2: The Wedding That Stopped Mid-Song
David Collins didn't immediately answer.
I could hear voices and clattering dishes on his end of the phone.
"Mrs. Bennett," he finally said, "canceling these services will interrupt the reception. The musicians, catering, bar service, and transportation are all covered under your contracts.""
"I understand.""
"Guests may become uncomfortable.""
I closed my eyes.
"David, I was just slapped in front of those guests. My son watched it happen. I don't think I owe anyone another moment of comfort.""
He paused.
"I'm sorry that happened to you.""
"Thank you. Please proceed.""
"Understood. I'll review the cancellation provisions and coordinate with our staff.""
I ended the call.
For several seconds, I sat on the restroom bench with my purse beside me.
I could hear the orchestra playing through the walls. A cheerful trumpet melody floated into the hallway.
The wedding was continuing as if nothing had happened.
Then my phone rang.
Daniel.
I watched his name flash across the screen before answering.
"Mom, where are you?""
"At the hotel.""
"Well, Tiffany is looking for you. Come back and apologize.""
I almost laughed.
"Apologize for what?""
"For making a scene.""
"Your wife hit me, Daniel.""
"She was upset!""
"That is not an excuse to hit someone.""
He sighed loudly.
"Mom, can't you just understand how much pressure she's under?""
I pressed the phone harder against my ear.
"Did you see what she did?""
"Yes, Mom. Everyone saw it. That's exactly why you should stop making things worse.""
I looked down at my wedding shoes.
"Daniel, I am your mother.""
"I know. And I'm asking you to help me here.""
"Help you do what?""
"Make Tiffany happy.""
The line went quiet.
Then I heard a woman's voice in the background.
Tiffany.
"Tell her to come back and pay for the champagne!""
Daniel covered the phone, but not well enough.
I heard him say, "She's not going to.""
Tiffany replied, "Then she can watch us have the wedding without her.""
Daniel returned to the phone.
"Mom, just come back. Please.""
"No, Daniel.""
I hung up.
I didn't feel victorious.
I felt exhausted.
Outside the restroom, a hotel employee hurried past carrying a stack of table linens. Another staff member spoke into a walkie-talkie.
The consequences of my call had begun.
Ten minutes later, the orchestra stopped.
Not gradually.
One moment, a violinist was playing. The next, the room was silent except for the murmuring guests.
The bartender placed a glass upside down on the counter.
A waiter approached Tiffany with a polite expression.
"Mrs. Bennett, I'm sorry, but we've received instructions to pause bar service.""
Tiffany stared at him.
"What?""
"I'm afraid the payment authorization has been withdrawn.""
"Then speak to the manager!""
"Of course.""
She turned toward Robert.
"Dad, do something.""
Robert adjusted his cuffs.
"What's going on?""
"Margaret is canceling everything!""
Robert's expression hardened.
"That woman has lost her mind.""
Daniel appeared beside them.
"She's my mother. I'll handle it.""
He took out his phone and called me again.
This time, I answered because I wanted him to hear me clearly.
"Mom, what have you done?""
"I stopped paying for services I no longer wish to sponsor.""
"You can't just shut down my wedding!""
"I didn't shut down your wedding, Daniel. I stopped funding it.""
Tiffany grabbed his arm.
"Tell her the wedding isn't over!""
Daniel raised his voice.
"Mom, there are 250 people here. Children. Elderly relatives.
Our friends. You're humiliating us!""
I glanced toward the ballroom.
A waiter was carefully removing untouched bottles from the tables.
"Daniel, when Tiffany slapped me, did you worry about humiliating me?""
There was no answer.
"Did you ask her to apologize?""
Silence.
"Did you even check whether I was hurt?""
"Mom, please don't do this.""
"I didn't do it, Daniel. I asked you to stand up for me. You chose not to.""
I ended the call.
Then the restroom door opened.
Jessica, the wedding coordinator, stepped inside.
She looked worried.
"Mrs. Bennett, the manager asked me to find you.""
"Why?""
"There's a problem with the payment records.""
I frowned.
"What kind of problem?""
She lowered her voice.
"The additional charges weren't just for the champagne.""
I stood.
"What do you mean?""
Jessica glanced toward the doorway before continuing.
"There's an authorization for $68,000 attached to the event account. Mr. Collins is reviewing it now.""
My stomach tightened.
"Sixty-eight thousand dollars?""
"Yes, ma'am.""
"Who authorized that?""
"That's what he's trying to determine.""
I felt suddenly cold.
I had never approved an additional $68,000.
Jessica handed me her phone. On the screen was a photograph of a document with my name at the bottom.
Margaret Bennett.
My signature.
Except I hadn't signed it.
The handwriting looked close enough to fool someone who didn't know me.
But the final letter of my surname had a loop I had never used.
"This isn't mine," I whispered.
Jessica nodded.
"That's what Mr. Collins thought.""
I took a screenshot of the document.
"Where is he?""
"In the ballroom office. He's speaking with security.""
I followed her out.
The ballroom had changed completely. Guests were standing in small groups, whispering. The cake remained untouched beneath its white sugar flowers. The musicians were packing their instruments into black cases.
Tiffany stood near the head table, furious.
When she saw me, she marched over.
"You! What have you done?""
Robert followed, his face twisted with anger.
"Margaret, you've made your point. Now reverse the cancellation.""
I held up my phone.
"Did you authorize $68,000 using my payment information?""
For the first time, Robert didn't have an immediate answer.
Tiffany looked at him.
Then at me.
"Don't start making accusations.""
"I'm not making an accusation. I'm asking a question.""
Daniel hurried toward us.
"Mom, what are you talking about?""
Before I could answer, David Collins appeared with a thick folder.
"Mrs. Bennett, I need you to come with me.""
Tiffany stepped in front of him.
"She isn't going anywhere until she fixes this!""
David didn't raise his voice.
"Mrs. Whitaker, the person who needs to answer some questions may not be Mrs. Bennett.""
May you like
He opened the folder.
And when Tiffany saw the document inside, the color disappeared from her face.
