Chapter 8: The Recording Nobody Was Supposed to Hear
The first sound from Olivia’s phone was static.
Then a voice.
Felicity’s voice.
“I don’t understand why you care so much about her.””
My entire body went cold.
Because there was no confusion.
No possibility.
It was her.
The reception hall listened.
Nobody moved.
Olivia held the phone up.
The recording continued.
“I’m just saying,” Felicity’s voice said, “she doesn’t belong in this world.””
A whisper moved through the guests.
I looked at Felicity.
She looked terrified.
“Turn that off.””
Olivia ignored her.
The recording continued.
“She always acts like she’s better because she helps people.””
Felicity’s voice sounded exactly like it did when nobody else was around.
Cold.
Dismissive.
“She’s a nurse, Olivia. That’s not the same thing.””
My father closed his eyes.
I felt something inside me break.
Not because she insulted my career.
Because I realized how long she had believed it.
Olivia looked at me.
“I saved this because I knew someday you might need proof.””
Felicity stepped forward.
“You recorded me?””
“No.””
Olivia’s voice was quiet.
“You sent me a voice message.””
The room went silent.
Felicity stopped.
The recording continued.
“I’m tired of people acting like Jenna is some kind of saint.””
A pause.
Then:
“She’s always been the family disappointment.””
The words hung in the air.
Nobody laughed.
Nobody defended her.
I looked at my father.
The pain on his face told me everything.
He knew.
He knew those words had been true.
Not because he said them.
Because he allowed them.
Olivia stopped the recording.
The silence afterward was unbearable.
Finally, Felicity spoke.
“You’re making me look like a monster.””
Olivia looked at her.
“No.””
She shook her head.
“I’m showing people what you chose to say.””
Felicity looked around.
She was searching for someone.
Anyone.
My father.
Her husband.
A friend.
Someone to rescue her.
Nobody moved.
Then she looked at me.
“You’re happy now?””
The question surprised me.
I frowned.
“What?””
“You wanted this.””
I stared at her.
“This?””
She gestured around the room.
“Everyone looking at me like I’m horrible.””
My voice was quiet.
“I didn’t ask for this.””
“Yes, you did.””
The anger returned to her face.
“You always wanted people to notice you.””
I almost smiled.
Because that was the strangest accusation I had ever heard.
I had spent my whole life trying to disappear.
“I wanted my sister to love me.””
That was all.
Not applause.
Not admiration.
Not a spotlight.
Just love.
Felicity looked away.
For a second, I thought she might finally understand.
Then she said:
“You were always too sensitive.””
And there it was.
The final piece.
The reason nothing ever changed.
She didn’t regret hurting me.
She regretted being caught.
Ethan walked away from the head table.
“Felicity.””
She looked at him.
“Don’t.””
His expression was devastated.
“I need to ask you something.””
She said nothing.
“Did you really throw away the wedding invitation Olivia sent Jenna?””
Everyone waited.
Felicity looked down.
That was enough.
Ethan closed his eyes.
“I can’t believe this.””
“Ethan—”
“No.””
His voice cracked.
“I married someone who spent years trying to make another person feel small.””
The room went quiet.
Felicity’s face changed.
Fear.
Real fear.
“Are you saying you’re leaving me?””
Ethan didn’t answer.
And somehow that was worse.
Because silence was sometimes more honest than words.
Then my father stepped forward.
“Jenna.””
I looked at him.
His eyes were wet.
“I’m sorry.””
The old version of me would have rushed to comfort him.
Would have said it was okay.
Would have made his guilt easier.
But I wasn’t that girl anymore.
“What are you sorry for?””
He swallowed.
“For believing the wrong person.””
My chest tightened.
“Which person?””
He looked at Felicity.
Then me.
And finally said:
“For letting your sister convince me that you were the problem.””
The words should have healed something.
But they didn’t.
Because apologies could explain the past.
They couldn’t change it.
Olivia touched my arm.
“Jenna.””
I looked at her.
“There’s one more thing.””
I felt exhausted.
“What else?””
She looked at Silas.
He nodded.
Then she said:
“The reason Felicity tried so hard to keep us apart wasn’t just because she was embarrassed.””
My stomach tightened.
“Then why?””
Olivia looked toward the envelope in my hand.
“Because my father was planning to give you something.””
Silas stepped forward.
Something about his expression made everyone uneasy.
“Something your mother left behind.””
My heart stopped.
“My mother?””
Silas nodded.
May you like
And suddenly, the wedding wasn’t about Felicity anymore.
It was about a secret that had been buried for fourteen years.
