Chapter 2: The Secret Behind the Dirt
I found Marcus outside the ballroom, pacing beside a tall arrangement of white roses.
“What hospital?”” I asked.
He looked toward the reception doors.
“Keep your voice down.””
“Marcus, what are you talking about?””
He rubbed his forehead.
“Your mom asked me not to tell you.””
“Tell me what?””
“She was working at the rescue farm this morning.””
I frowned.
“The rescue farm?””
Marcus nodded.
“There's an animal sanctuary outside town. She volunteers there.””
I stared at him.
“My mother volunteers at an animal sanctuary?””
“Three mornings a week. Sometimes more.””
I thought about the brown mark on her dress.
The dirt beneath her fingernails.
The smell Vanessa had complained about.
“Why didn't she tell me?””
“Because she knew you'd worry.””
I shook my head.
“What happened to her wrist?””
Marcus hesitated.
“She slipped while helping move a frightened horse. She caught herself against a metal gate.””
“Was she treated?””
“Yes. A volunteer drove her to the clinic. They cleaned the cut and wrapped it.””
I closed my eyes.
“And she came straight to my wedding?””
“She didn't want to miss it.””
For a moment, I couldn't speak.
Marcus continued.
“Daniel, she spent the entire morning helping a sick mare that was supposed to be transferred. She stayed until the animal was calm enough to eat.””
“Then she went home, changed, and came here?””
He nodded.
“She barely had time to get ready.””
I looked down at my wedding shoes.
My mother had spent her morning caring for a frightened animal.
Then she'd rushed to celebrate the happiest day of my life.
And Vanessa had called her disgusting.
“Why didn't you tell me before?”” I asked.
“Because your mother made me promise.””
I turned toward him.
“Why?””
Marcus looked uncomfortable.
“Because she didn't want you feeling guilty.””
I almost laughed.
My mother had spent her entire life protecting me from guilt, even when she was the one being hurt.
Before I could ask anything else, the ballroom doors opened.
Vanessa appeared.
“There you are.””
Her eyes moved between us.
“What are you two discussing?””
“Mom,” I said.
Vanessa's expression hardened.
“Of course.””
Marcus stepped aside.
“I should check on the photographer.””
He walked away.
Vanessa grabbed my hand.
“Daniel, I need you to listen to me.””
“I'm listening.””
“I don't want another scene tonight.””
“Then stop creating them.””
Her mouth fell open.
“Are you seriously blaming me?””
I looked at her for a long moment.
“Do you know where my mother came from before the wedding?””
Vanessa sighed.
“Here we go.””
“She was volunteering at an animal sanctuary.””
Vanessa looked away.
“That's exactly what I'm talking about.””
“What?””
“She chooses to spend her time around animals and then expects everyone to pretend she belongs at a formal event.””
I felt something cold settle in my chest.
“She was helping injured animals.””
“Daniel, please. There is no need to make her into a saint.””
I stared at her.
“She's my mother.””
“And I'm your wife.””
Again, that word.
But this time, it sounded less like a promise and more like a weapon.
Before I could respond, a waiter approached with a small silver tray.
“Mr. Hayes? Someone asked me to give you this.””
It was a folded piece of paper.
My name was written on the front in my mother's familiar handwriting.
I opened it.
**Daniel, sweetheart, please don't worry about me. I am so proud of you. I left something in your car that I wanted you to have after the wedding.
Don't forget to look in the glove compartment. Love, Mom.**
I read it twice.
“What did she leave you?”” Vanessa asked.
“I don't know.””
She glanced toward the ballroom.
“Can we deal with that tomorrow? Your guests are waiting.””
I folded the note and slipped it into my pocket.
“Where is she?””
Vanessa shrugged.
“Probably talking to Marcus.””
I walked back inside.
The ballroom was brighter than before, but the atmosphere felt different.
Guests were dancing. Glasses clinked. The band played another song.
My mother was nowhere near the windows.
I found her beside the coatroom, speaking with an elderly woman in a green cardigan.
When she saw me, she smiled.
“There you are.””
“Mom, why didn't you tell me about the sanctuary?””
Her smile faded.
“Oh, that.””
“You hurt your wrist.””
“It's just a little cut.””
“You should have told me.””
She adjusted the strap of her purse.
“You had enough to think about today.””
I looked at her.
“Were you really helping an injured horse this morning?””
Mom nodded.
“Her name is Daisy.””
“Daisy?””
“She was frightened. Poor thing had been neglected before she came to us.””
My mother spoke about the horse with the tenderness most people reserved for children.
“She wouldn't let anyone near her,” Mom continued.
“But she eventually ate from my hand.””
I smiled despite everything.
“Sounds like you made a friend.””
Mom's eyes softened.
“I suppose I did.””
Then she glanced toward Vanessa.
“Don't let what happened tonight come between you two.””
I shook my head.
“Mom, I can't pretend that was okay.””
She reached up and straightened my tie.
“Marriage is hard work, Daniel. People come from different backgrounds. You learn to make room for each other.””
I wanted to tell her that making room didn't mean accepting humiliation.
Instead, I kissed her cheek.
“Will you stay until the cake cutting?””
She hesitated.
“I think I'd better go.””
“Why?””
“I'm tired.””
I knew she was lying.
She didn't want to make Vanessa uncomfortable.
I offered to drive her home, but she refused.
“Marcus can take me.””
I looked toward my cousin.
He nodded.
“I've got her.””
Mom hugged me.
This time, she held on a little longer.
“I'm proud of you, sweetheart.””
“I love you, Mom.””
“I love you too.””
Then she walked away.
I watched her disappear through the entrance.
Vanessa appeared beside me.
“Finally.””
I turned.
“What?””
She smiled toward the photographer.
“Now we can enjoy our wedding.””
I didn't answer.
Instead, I walked outside and headed toward my car.
The parking lot was nearly empty.
The night air smelled of wet pavement and roses.
I opened the driver's door, reached into the glove compartment, and found a large cream-colored envelope.
My name was written across it.
Inside was a photograph of my father holding me as a baby.
Behind it was a small key.
And underneath the key was a document with the name of a property I had never heard of.
*Hayes Family Agricultural Estate.*
I frowned.
The document listed my mother's name.
Then I noticed the date.
The property had been purchased twenty-three years earlier.
I turned the page.
A second document was attached.
It was a bank statement showing a transfer of $180,000.
The recipient's name was Richard Whitmore.
My new father-in-law.
I read it again.
Then I checked the date.
The money had been transferred just four months before my wedding.
May you like
Why had my mother sent $180,000 to Vanessa's father?
And why had she hidden it from me?
