The silver chain.
Broken.
He picked it up.
The locket was missing.
“Where is it?”
Vanessa said nothing.
“Where is Sarah's locket?”
“I put it somewhere safe.”
“Where?”
“Nathan.”
“Where is it?”
Vanessa’s father stepped forward.
“Everyone needs to calm down.”
Nathan looked at him.
“No.”
“Nathan, weddings are stressful.”
“My daughter has a handprint on her face.”
“It isn't a handprint.”
Lucas spoke quietly.
“The camera recorded everything.”
Vanessa’s father turned toward him.
“Delete it.”
Nathan looked at him.
“What did you just say?”
“I said this is a private family matter.”
Nathan's brother stepped between them.
“You should probably stop talking.”
Vanessa began crying.
The change happened instantly.
One moment defensive.
The next devastated bride.
“Nathan, please.”
He looked at her.
“You're crying?”
“I made a mistake.”
“A mistake is spilling wine on the dress.”
“I lost my temper.”
“With a six-year-old.”
“She has been pushing me for months!”
The words escaped before Vanessa could stop them.
Nathan became very still.
“For months?”
Vanessa looked away.
“What does that mean?”
“Nothing.”
“You said she has been pushing you for months.”
Emily whispered against Nathan's shoulder.
“I try to be good.”
Nathan looked down.
“Emily, has Vanessa done this before?”
Vanessa interrupted.
“Don't question her right now.”
Nathan turned.
“I wasn't asking you.”
Emily stared at Vanessa.
Then nodded.
Nathan felt something inside him break.
“What has she done?”
Emily's eyes filled again.
“Daddy…”
“It's okay.”
“She gets different when you leave.”
Nathan looked at Vanessa.
The exact expression that appeared on her face told him the answer before Emily continued.
“She says I make you sad.”
Nathan crouched again.
“What else?”
“She says you would have a happy family if Mommy didn't die.”
Vanessa’s eyes widened.
“I never said that.”
Emily flinched.
“You did.”
“No, I did not.”
“You said Daddy needs a new little girl someday.”
Nathan's throat tightened.
“What?”