The guests audibly reacted.
Andrew looked horrified.
“Claire—”
“No,” she snapped. “I’m done pretending.”
She turned toward me directly.
“You want honesty? Fine.”
Her eyes swept over my dress.
My shoes.
My quiet little life.
“This wedding has investors here. Politicians. People from families that matter in Aspen Grove.” Her voice lowered. “Andrew’s background needed refinement.”
The humiliation landed like a slap.
But before I could respond—
Charles laughed softly.
Not amused.
Disappointed.
“Oh, this is extraordinary.”
Claire frowned. “Excuse me?”
“You truly have no idea who Judith Langley is, do you?”
Now everyone looked confused.
Including me.
Charles turned toward the crowd slowly.
“Thirty-one years ago, Aspen Grove almost lost its entire public literacy program due to state funding cuts.”
I blinked.
What?
Charles continued.
“One teacher fought the closure for nine months alone. She organized volunteers. Wrote grants. Taught evening classes for free. Convinced local businesses to donate books.” He looked directly at me now. “Because of her, thousands of children learned to read properly.”
Guests had gone silent again.
Even Claire looked uncertain now.
Charles smiled slightly.
“I know this because I was one of those children.”
