“She told you to sit on the bathroom floor?”

Juniper nodded once. “She said I’m not supposed to tell you.”

My pulse began racing. “Why?”

“She said I stick my nose where it doesn’t belong.”

The words made no sense at first.

“What do you mean, sweetheart?”

Juniper glanced nervously at the door. “She was in your office last night,” she said. “She took papers from the blue folder. I saw her.”

My throat tightened. “How many?”

“Three,” Juniper replied. “I counted.”

The blue folder contained important documents—life insurance papers, house records, and legal files I avoided because they reminded me too much of my wife’s death.

I forced my voice to stay gentle.

“You did the right thing telling me.”

Juniper’s lip trembled. “She said if I told you, you’d choose me and she’d lose.”

My heart cracked in half.

“You never keep secrets like that for adults,” I said softly. “Not for anyone.”

Juniper nodded as if committing that rule to memory.

I held out my hand. “Come with me.”

Outside, Maribel stood near the chairs greeting guests, smiling brightly. When she finally noticed me approaching, she waved.

I walked straight up to her.

“Maribel,” I said quietly, “we need to talk.”

“Grant, right now?” she asked, still smiling.

“Yes. Right now.”

I led her toward the side of the yard near the hedges.

“Why did you tell my daughter to sit in the bathroom?”

Her smile flickered. “Oh, Grant… relax.”

“Answer me.”

She rolled her eyes. “Your daughter is always sticking her nose into things.”

“She’s nine,” I said. “And this is her home.”

“She watches me like I’m a criminal,” Maribel snapped. “It’s strange.”

“Juniper said you were in my office last night,” I continued. “She said you took papers from the blue folder.”

Maribel’s eyes flicked toward the house.

“I was just looking for tape,” she said quickly. “Decorations needed—”

“Three papers,” I interrupted.

Her patience broke.

“Grant, the music is starting. We’ll talk later.”

She reached for my hand as if to guide me toward the aisle. I pulled away.

“No. We talk now.”

Her face hardened. “Don’t do this.”

“Don’t do what? Protect my child?”

Then she said something that froze the air.

“It’s not my fault she’s like her mother.”

Everything inside my head went silent.

“You never even met my wife,” I said slowly.

Maribel’s color drained. “People talk,” she muttered quickly. “I didn’t mean—”

“You used her mother against her,” I said.

She tried to recover her smile. “Grant, don’t ruin this in front of everyone.”

Instead of answering, I walked toward the microphone.

The guests quieted as I picked it up.

“Before we start the ceremony,” I said, “I need to explain why my daughter wasn’t in her seat.”

Maribel whispered sharply behind me, “Grant, stop. You’re embarrassing me.”

“I’m protecting my child,” I replied.

“Junie,” I called gently. “Can you come here?”

Juniper walked out of the house holding my brother’s hand.

I crouched beside her and lowered the microphone.

“Tell me what she told you.”