Margaret did not answer immediately.
Lauren seemed to brace herself.
“No.”
Surprise.
Margaret continued:
“I don’t trust you.”
That hurt more.
Lauren looked down.
“And I’m very angry.”
“Yes.”
“But hate is easy.”
Margaret’s voice softened.
“You were going to be my son’s wife for the rest of my life this morning.”
“I still am.”
Margaret glanced toward Daniel.
“Legally.”
Lauren’s face fell.
Margaret did not apologize for accuracy.
“What happens now?”
Lauren asked.
“That is Daniel’s decision.”
“And yours?”
“You slapped me.”
Lauren closed her eyes.
“Yes.”
“I will not pretend that didn’t happen.”
“I know.”
“You also tried to change a trust using a document he did not understand.”
“Yes.”
“Whether that becomes a legal issue is not solely mine to decide.”
Lauren looked frightened.
“Are you pressing charges?”
“For the slap?”
“I don’t know.”
Margaret did know.
“No.”
Lauren stared.
“No?”
“I’m not interested in turning one terrible second into a criminal record.”
Relief crossed Lauren’s face.
Margaret immediately added:
“That is not forgiveness.”
“I know.”
“Do you?”
Lauren nodded.
“What about the documents?”
Margaret looked toward the conference room.
“That depends on who forged what.”
“I didn’t forge signatures.”
“I believe you didn’t physically create the packet.”
Lauren swallowed.
“But?”
“You gave it to Daniel under a false description.”
Lauren looked away.
“That is still serious.”
“Yes.”
Margaret stood.
“I’m going home.”
Lauren looked up.
“What about the reception?”
“It’s almost over.”
“I mean…”
She could not finish.
Margaret understood.
“What about us?”
Lauren nodded.
Margaret took the diamond pouch.
“I don’t know.”
For once, she let uncertainty exist without calling anyone to solve it.
Daniel came to Margaret’s house at 2:11 the next morning.
She was awake.
Of course.
She had changed into pajamas but had not slept.
When the doorbell rang, she already knew who stood outside.
Daniel entered carrying his tuxedo jacket over one arm.
No wedding ring.
Margaret noticed.
Did not ask.
He sat at the kitchen island.
For several minutes they said nothing.
Finally:
“I’m sorry.”
Margaret frowned.
“For?”
“She hit you.”
“You didn’t.”
“I brought her into your life.”
Margaret stared.
“No.”
Daniel rubbed his eyes.
“I should have—”
“No.”
She stopped him.
“I’m going to tell you something your father used to tell me.”
Daniel smiled weakly.
“That should scare me.”
“He was occasionally useful.”
“What?”
“You are responsible for the choices you make.”
She sat across from him.
“Not every choice made by someone you love.”
Daniel’s eyes filled.