Chapter 20

Andrea had arrived long before the ceremony began. She had been waiting for this day for what felt like an eternity. She had smiled so much from greeting people that her cheeks looked ready to cramp. Joanna didn't acknowledge her. She kept her eyes fixed on her phone, detached from the whirlwind around her. She knew what disrupting this wedding would mean for George. It was cruel and unfair to him. But she had no other choice. The ceremony proceeded step by step, just as planned. Through it all, George held her hand tightly, not letting go for even a second. Joanna's palm was slick with sweat under his grip. Yet she didn't pull away. One of George's friends approached them during the cocktail break, smiling as he raised his glass toward Joanna. "Congratulations to you both. And thank you, Ms. Malone, for finally letting George marry the woman he's worshiped for years. You're the muse he's waited his whole life for." Everyone around them broke into laughter and applause. George