Priya’s eyes narrowed.
“When did you receive it?”
“This afternoon.”
“From whom?”
Bianca hesitated.
I could see the answer before she spoke.
“Mr. Carter.”
The room seemed to tilt, though my feet did not move.
Adrian had changed the guest list himself.
Priya’s expression grew unreadable.
“Show me.”
Bianca pulled out her phone. Her fingers trembled as she opened an email and held it toward Priya.
Priya read silently.
I watched her face, searching for some sign of explanation.
She looked up at me.
“It came from Adrian’s account.”
The words hurt more than Bianca’s announcement.
Because there was no misunderstanding in that.
Adrian knew I was his wife. He knew Mila was his daughter. He knew this evening mattered. And sometime that afternoon, he had sent instructions ensuring we would not be welcomed.
Mila leaned against my side.
“Can we sit down now?”
“Yes,” I said, though my voice sounded far away. “We can sit.”
