Chapter 9 - THE PACKAGEEmmett called the police.
The protective order against Claire was still active.
Claire denied sending the package.
Her attorney insisted she had been compliant for almost two years.
Police found no fingerprints.
No surveillance footage.
Nothing.
Margot never saw the note.
We made sure of that.
But fear returned to the house.
Emmett wanted to postpone the wedding.
Hannah refused.
“Fear already stole enough from this family.”
“What if Claire sent it?”
“Then the police handle Claire.”
“What if she comes?”
“Then security handles her.”
He stared at Hannah.
“You aren't scared?”
“Of course I'm scared.”
She took his hand.
“But being scared and surrendering are different things.”
The wedding went forward.
On the morning of the ceremony, Margot wore blue.
Not pink.
Her choice.
She came running into my room.
“Grandpa!”
I turned.
She spun.
“Well?”
I pretended to consider.
“No.”
Her mouth dropped.
I smiled.
“You look much prettier than a princess.”
She froze.
For a second, she was five again.
Then she ran into my arms.
“You remembered.”
“Always.”
The ceremony was held in a garden.
Phoebe's photograph sat on a small table near the first row.
Not hidden.
Not worshiped.
Included.
When Hannah reached the altar, she stopped beside Margot.
Then held out her hand.
Margot took it.
The photographer captured that moment.
Afterward, we gathered for pictures.
Hannah called:
“Margot!”
Margot ran over.
“Where do I stand?”
Hannah smiled.
“Wherever you want.”
Margot planted herself directly between Hannah and Emmett.
Everyone laughed.
The camera flashed.
For one perfect moment, the past and future occupied the same frame without fighting each other.
Then a police officer approached me.
He was working security.
“Mr. Bennett?”
My stomach tightened.
“Yes?”
“We found the person who sent the package.”
I looked toward Margot.
“Claire?”
The officer shook his head.
“No.”
“Then who?”
May you like
He looked toward the parking area.
“Claire's mother.”
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