“Ethan, please hear me out, right?” Vanessa said.

She moved toward him, but he moved back.

“Look, don’t touch me,” Ethan said.

He turned to face the crowd of silent, staring guests.

“Look, this party’s over,” Ethan said.

His voice carried easily over the manicured lawn.

“There isn’t going to be a wedding,” he announced.

“Ethan, you can’t do this,” Vanessa said.