The wedding couldn’t have been more perfect—until Dad suddenly gripped my hand and whispered, “Get away from everyone. We need to talk. Now.”

had fallen into place with almost supernatural precision—the weather was flawless, the flowers were blooming in perfect abundance, and even the usually temperamental string quartet had arrived early and in excellent spirits.

I had been Emily’s maid of honor and closest confidante since childhood, so I’d witnessed firsthand the months of meticulous planning continue reading …