My Daughter Told Me Not to Attend Her Wedding Because I Would Embarrass Her—But When the Groom Saw Me Holding a Pearl Locket, He Walked Away From the Altar

That mattered.

I took a breath.

Then followed her.

Inside the side room, Lauren stood near the window.

Ethan remained beside the door.

I stopped just inside.

“I am sorry I came into the sanctuary,” I said.

Lauren looked up.

“What?”

“I came to leave your grandmother’s locket with Helen.

I waited too long and didn’t leave before the music started.

You asked me not to attend, and I should have handled the delivery differently.”

For several seconds, neither spoke.

Then Lauren began crying.