What was inside Edward’s box—and how would Max react?
Comment “NEXT” for Part 2.
Inside was a silver-framed mirror with a card taped across it:
“For the man who judges everyone by appearances.
Take a closer look.”
A few guests gasped.
Others tried to hide their laughter.
Max slammed the lid down.
“You think this is funny?”
Edward calmly met his eyes.
“No.
I think humiliating the mother of your children in front of 150 people is pathetic.”
My hands began to shake.
No one had ever defended me like that—not even when Max and I were married.
Claire stepped forward.
“Who do you think you are?”
Edward reached beneath the mirror and removed a sealed envelope I hadn’t noticed.
The moment Claire saw the hotel logo printed on it, all the color drained from her face.
“Where did you get that?” she whispered.
Max turned toward her.
“Why do you care?”
“I don’t,” Claire replied too quickly.
“It has nothing to do with us.”
Edward held the envelope out to me instead.
“This was delivered to our office with your name on it,” he said.
“I thought you should decide whether Max sees it.”
Before I could take it, Claire grabbed my wrist.
“Please,” she whispered.
“Don’t open that here.”
Max stared at his bride.
“Claire…
what’s inside?”
She said nothing—but then a man near the back of the room suddenly stood up.
Why was Claire terrified of that envelope, and who was the man standing among the guests?
