Chapter 6
Cold water swallowed sound for one second.
Then the courtyard exploded with laughter.
Grace surfaced on her knees, soaked and stunned, the stone biting into her legs beneath the fountain water.
Elise stood above her with the clear container.
“She reeks of poverty.”
A few guests gasped.
More laughed because the bride was laughing.
Elise tipped the container.
“Let’s wash off the smell.”
Water struck Grace’s head and shoulders.
Her hair flattened against her face.
Her dress clung heavily to her body.
Richard clapped as if this were clever.
Margaret raised her glass.
“Relax, Grace. It’s just a joke.”
Grace looked at her parents through the water dripping from her lashes.
That was when something inside her settled.
Not broke.
Settled.
For years she had wondered whether they truly understood what Elise did.
Now she had the answer.
They understood.
They enjoyed it.
Grace pushed both palms against the fountain ledge and stood.
The laughter weakened.
She stepped out of the fountain slowly.
No stumble.
No sobbing.
No frantic attempt to hide.
A server rushed toward her with a towel.
Grace lifted one hand.
“No, thank you.”
Her voice was quiet.
That made people listen harder.
She walked toward the bandstand, water trailing behind her like proof.
Elise’s laughter faded.
Daniel Mercer straightened beside the stage.
Grace reached for the microphone.
May you like
The bandleader handed it over without a word.
Read the full story 👉 Grace did not collapse after the fountain; she walked straight to the microphone while the whole courtyard watched.
