Then Michael Walked In

He had come looking for Vanessa because the coordinator needed both of them.

He stopped in the doorway.

“What is going on?”

Vanessa immediately answered:

“Nothing.”

Olivia laughed.

“Dad.”

Michael looked at his daughter.

Her hands were still around the necklace.

Then he looked at Vanessa.

“What happened?”

Olivia asked:

“Did you know Vanessa doesn’t want me wearing Mom’s necklace?”

Michael frowned.

“What?”

Vanessa replied:

“Michael, please don’t make this bigger than it is.”

He looked at her.

“You asked Olivia to take it off?”

Vanessa crossed her arms.

“Yes.”

Michael stared at her.

“Why?”

Vanessa Told Him the Truth

She didn’t want Grace in their wedding.

Not literally.

But symbolically.

Every major milestone in Michael’s life still seemed connected to Grace.

His daughter looked like her.

His family told stories about her.

There were photographs.

Traditions.

Friends who still remembered them as a couple.

Vanessa had accepted all of that.

But she wanted one day that belonged entirely to her and Michael.

Michael listened.

Then he asked:

“And taking a necklace off my daughter gives you that?”

Vanessa became frustrated.

“You’re making me sound horrible.”

“No.”

Michael looked at Olivia.

“I’m trying to understand what happened.”

Olivia said:

“She tried to take it off me.”

Michael turned back to Vanessa.

“You touched it?”

Vanessa hesitated.

“I tried to remove it.”

That answer changed his expression.