“I sold the Bentley.

I closed the private credit lines I no longer needed.

I allowed Vanessa to believe I was facing serious financial difficulties.”

A woman in the front row touched her eyes with a handkerchief.

Arthur smiled.

“I even asked my beautiful bride to help pay for my wedding suit.”

Laughter moved through the room.

I wanted to disappear.

Instead, I remained perfectly still.

“And she stayed beside me,” Arthur announced.