“They can show that the barrier you described wasn’t me refusing to let you know them.”

Julian stepped away from the table.

It was a small movement, but Elena noticed it.

She looked toward him, then toward the girls.

No one moved to supply another explanation on her behalf.

That did not tell us what Julian would do after the wedding.

It did not finish their marriage, erase Elena’s life, or guarantee she would understand.

It meant that, for this moment, the account she had brought into the room was no longer being accepted without questions.