My Mother-in-Law Shoved My Mom Into the Pool at My Wedding—Then a $4.2 Million Secret Brought the Sterling Family Down

And I was still trying to believe the day could end differently from everything that had led to it.

PART 7 — THE POOL

By the time the ceremony ended, the heat beneath the pavilion had become oppressive.

Guests moved toward the pool and shaded terraces.

Caterers carried chilled drinks.

A string quartet began playing near the rose garden.

Somewhere, laughter rose above the fountains.

I stood beside Ethan while photographers organized family groups.