Julian and I held our wedding ceremony 3 months later.
There was no fleet of luxury cars shutting down the city and no plaza paved in diamonds.
We married at Lakeside Estate, Evelyn's favorite place.
I wore a wedding gown I had designed myself. My mother had sewn every pearl onto the train by hand.
She still needed a wheelchair, but she insisted on placing my hand in Julian's herself.
"I missed 22 years of her life," Evelyn told him. "If you ever hurt her, I'll be the first person you answer to."
Julian replied solemnly, "She doesn't need anyone to make decisions for her. All I can do is stand beside her, whichever path she chooses."
Arthur's eyes reddened. He turned away and pretended to admire the lake.
During the vows, Julian publicly displayed a notarized marriage agreement.
A
