Chapter 2: The Woman They Thought They Owned
I walked away from the dance floor without another word.
My cheek burned, but I refused to touch it again.
Behind me, the orchestra remained silent.
I could hear whispers spreading between the tables.
"Did she really slap her?""
"That's Daniel's mother, isn't it?""
"Who does something like that?""
Tiffany apparently had no intention of allowing the moment to become about her behavior.
"Everyone, please!"" she announced, lifting her champagne glass.
Her voice trembled just enough to sound wounded.
"I apologize for the interruption. Margaret has been under a lot of stress lately.""
A few guests exchanged uncomfortable looks.
Tiffany continued.
"We all know weddings can bring out difficult emotions. But tonight is about love, and I refuse to let negativity ruin our celebration.""
I stopped walking.
She was rewriting what had happened while my cheek was still red.
Then she added, "I hope everyone can understand that.""
Richard approached me near the entrance.
He smelled strongly of expensive cologne and whiskey.
"Margaret, let's not make this worse," he said.
I looked at him.
"Your daughter slapped me.""
"She lost her temper.""
"That doesn't make it acceptable.""
Richard lowered his voice.
"Listen, I know you've spent a lot of money. We appreciate that. But you have to understand something. Tiffany has dreamed about this wedding her entire life.""
"And what have I dreamed about?""
He looked confused.
I continued.
"I dreamed of watching my son marry someone who respected his family.""
Richard gave a short laugh.
"Perhaps you should have chosen a different way to express your concerns.""
I almost smiled.
Even now, he believed the problem was my refusal to buy another bottle of champagne.
"Excuse me," I said.
I walked toward the terrace.
Outside, the October air was cold against my burning cheek. The estate gardens glowed with tiny lights, and a fountain splashed softly beneath the trees.
I sat on a stone bench and opened my phone.
Three missed calls from my attorney, Jonathan Pierce.
One message.
Margaret, the final review is complete. Please do not authorize any additional payments tonight. Call me as soon as possible.
I stared at the message.
Then I pressed his number.
He answered immediately.
"Margaret? Are you all right?""
I looked through the glass doors.
Inside, Tiffany was laughing with her bridesmaids.
"No," I said quietly.
"But I think I'm about to be.""
"Did something happen?""
"My daughter-in-law slapped me in front of two hundred and fifty people.""
There was a long silence.
Then Jonathan said, "I'm sorry. Are you injured?""
"Only my pride.""
"Margaret, listen carefully. Did you authorize the final payment to the estate?""
"No. I told them to hold it until Monday.""
"Good. Do not release it.""
I frowned.
"Why?""
"Because I have something important to explain.""
I glanced toward the ballroom.
"Can it wait until tomorrow?""
"No. Not after what I found.""
My stomach tightened.
"What did you find?""
Jonathan lowered his voice.
"The property agreement, the event contract, and the vendor authorization documents are not consistent with what you were originally told.""
I sat upright.
"What does that mean?""
"It means someone has been using your name and payment authorization beyond the limits you agreed to.""
I stared at the ballroom.
"Who?""
"I don't want to make an accusation without showing you the documents. But Margaret, there's a second issue.""
"What second issue?""
"The estate is not the only thing involved.""
I felt my fingers tighten around the phone.
"Jonathan, tell me.""
"Your daughter-in-law has been presenting herself as the authorized financial representative for the wedding. She has also requested changes to several contracts using a document bearing your signature.""
My blood ran cold.
"That's impossible. I never signed anything giving Tiffany authority over my accounts.""
"I know. That's why I asked the bank to verify the authorization.""
A gust of wind moved through the trees.
"What did they say?""
"They found a discrepancy.""
Before I could respond, the terrace doors opened.
Daniel stepped outside.
"Mom?""
I ended the call.
He approached slowly, holding his jacket over one arm.
"Can we talk?""
I looked at him.
"Now you want to talk?""
He rubbed his forehead.
"Please don't do this.""
I almost laughed.
"Do what, Daniel?""
"Make tonight harder than it already is.""
I stood.
"Your wife hit me.""
"She was upset.""
"That's your explanation?""
"No. It's not. I just—"
"Then finish the sentence.""
He looked toward the ballroom.
"She feels like you've never accepted her.""
I stared at him.
"Daniel, I sold your father's inheritance to pay for this wedding.""
He lowered his eyes.
"She knows.""
"Do you?""
"Mom, please.""
"I canceled the trip your father and I planned for twenty years.""
His face tightened.
"Nobody asked you to do all that.""
The words landed harder than Tiffany's slap.
I took a slow breath.
"You're right.""
Daniel looked up, surprised.
"I wasn't forced to help. I chose to help because I loved you.""
"Then why are you acting like this?""
"Because love is not permission to humiliate someone.""
He swallowed.
"Mom, Tiffany is under pressure. Her father invited important people. There are business contacts here. She doesn't want anyone thinking our family is fighting.""
I looked through the glass.
Richard was standing beside a man in a dark suit, laughing and pointing toward the stage.
"Your wife's reputation matters more than my dignity?""
Daniel didn't answer.
Then he said something I would remember for the rest of my life.
"Could you just apologize to her? For the champagne? For embarrassing her in front of everyone?""
I stared at my son.
"You're asking me to apologize to the woman who slapped me.""
"Just until tomorrow. We can discuss everything privately.""
I shook my head.
"No.""
His expression hardened.
"You're going to destroy my marriage over one argument?""
"Your marriage is yours to manage, Daniel.""
I picked up my handbag.
"But my money is mine to manage.""
He looked confused.
"What does that mean?""
I didn't answer.
Instead, I returned to the ballroom.
Tiffany spotted me immediately.
She whispered something to her maid of honor, then approached with a smile that didn't reach her eyes.
"Margaret, I'm glad you're back. I think we should put this behind us.""
I looked at her.
"Did you enjoy hitting me?""
Her smile vanished.
"Don't be dramatic.""
"Did you?""
She leaned closer.
"You pushed me.""
"I asked you not to spend another two thousand dollars.""
"You humiliated my father.""
"Your father has a credit card.""
Tiffany's face reddened.
"You're unbelievable.""
Then she reached for my handbag.
"Give me your phone. I know you're recording everything.""
I pulled it away.
"Don't touch me.""
Her mother, Patricia, appeared beside her.
"Margaret, perhaps it's time you went home. You're making everyone uncomfortable.""
I looked around.
The guests were watching again.
For the first time, I didn't care.
"Gladly.""
I turned toward the exit.
But just as I reached the doors, the estate manager hurried across the ballroom.
He was carrying a folder.
"Mrs. Bennett?""
I stopped.
"Yes?""
He looked uncomfortable.
"There's a problem with the final payment authorization.""
Tiffany immediately stepped forward.
"What problem?""
The manager glanced at her, then back at me.
"The payment was declined, and the estate's accounting department has instructed us not to process any further charges under your account.""
Tiffany's smile disappeared.
"That's a mistake.""
"I'm afraid it isn't.""
"Call the bank.""
"We already did.""
The manager opened his folder.
Then he looked directly at Tiffany.
"There's also a question regarding the signature on the additional payment authorization.""
May you like
Tiffany went completely still.
And for the first time that evening, she looked afraid.
