Dressed in the blue satin dress Ethan had once gifted me, I walked into the grand Caldwell estate. The mansion was overwhelming, its towering chandeliers and marble floors gleaming under the soft golden light. The ballroom was filled with New York’s elite, women adorned in sparkling gowns and men in finely tailored suits. I felt like an outsider the moment I stepped in. My hands trembled as I handed the invitation to the usher. She barely spared me a glance before directing me inside.
I took a shaky breath and stepped into the ballroom. It was dazzling—crystal chandeliers, silk-draped tables, the scent of roses and expensive champagne filling the air. Laughter and chatter buzzed around me, elegant women in designer gowns, men in tailored suits. I was out of place. But I was here.
I scanned the room, searching for a familiar face. And then I saw her—Trisha. The bride. She was breathtaking in her ivory gown, her blonde hair cascading in perfect waves. Ethan’s sister. My sister-in-law. Summoning every ounce of courage, I approached her.
“Excuse me, Trisha?”
She turned, her smile polite but puzzled. “Yes?”
I swallowed hard. “I—I’m Claire. Claire Anderson. Ethan’s wife.”