Later, when the dance floor had emptied and people were beginning to leave, Daniel approached me. His face was tight with embarrassment.

“I’m sorry,” he muttered. “I didn’t know she was going to say that. She was nervous, she… she didn’t mean it the way it sounded.”

“She meant every word,” I replied quietly. “And you let her.”

He flinched, unable to meet my gaze. “Please don’t make this harder. It’s my wedding day.”

I shook my head. “Daniel, I’ve supported you through everything. But if you can’t see what she really thinks of me—and of your own nephew—then I don’t know what to say.”

I left it at that.