Vanessa pulled her hand back and pressed both palms to her cheeks.

She took a sharp, loud breath that sounded like a gasp for air.

“I have poured my heart into this wedding for you,” she said, her voice carrying across the patio.

I leaned forward to keep my own voice low.

“Could you please lower your voice?” I asked.

Instead, Vanessa let out a ragged sob.

She pushed her chair back so hard the metal legs scraped a harsh line across the brick floor.

Two waiters by the patio doors turned to look at us immediately.