In the hotel room, she stepped into the shower still wearing the dress, unable to remove it before washing away the mud. Walter listened to the water running while he sat on the edge of the bed. Then he took out his phone. His hands were trembling.
He opened the folder where, with the careful discipline of a retired accountant, he had kept records of everything he had paid for Ethan over the last five years. Repairs, debts, late bills, help with his business, wedding vendors, and most importantly, the scheduled Monday transfer: $68,000 meant to serve as the down payment on a new home for the newlyweds.
There was also a $45,000 savings account he had created for future grandchildren.
Walter took a deep breath.
First, he called his financial advisor.
“Daniel, stop the transfer for Ethan’s house.”
“Mr. Walter, the closing is this Friday. Without that money, they’ll lose the property and probably the deposit.”
“I know.”
“Are you certain?”
Walter heard Ashley’s careless laughter again while Rebecca lay humiliated in the mud.
“Completely certain.”
The second call was to the photographer.
“Mr. Parker, the photos came out beautifully. The bride asked for previews tonight.”
“Do not send any images. I signed the contract and paid for the service. Until I say otherwise, those photographs are not to be released to the couple.”
“But Mrs. Ashley—”
“She can speak to her lawyer if she feels she needs to.”
Then he called the hotel where he had paid for the honeymoon suite. He canceled the upgrade and left only the standard room Ethan had originally booked. He also canceled the preserved flower package, the luxury wedding album, and the private airport transportation.
When Rebecca came out of the bathroom, she was wearing a white robe. Her eyes were swollen, and her wet hair clung to her cheeks.
“Who were you calling?”
Walter set the phone down.
“Everyone I could still stop.”
She looked confused.
“I canceled the suite, the photographs, some pending services, and the house money.”
Rebecca covered her mouth.
“Walter… that house was Ethan’s future.”
“And you are my wife. I’m not going to buy them a comfortable life after what they did to you.”
“He’s our son.”
“I know. That’s why this hurts so much.”
Rebecca sat beside him. For several minutes, neither of them said anything. Outside, car horns and distant laughter drifted through the city streets, as if the world had not just shattered around them.
“I don’t want to lose him,” she finally whispered.
