When he returned, she asked, «Is everything okay?»
«Oh, just a small problem at work,» Jason answered lightly. «I need to take care of it tonight. I’m sorry, Caroline.»
«Tonight? But the wedding is tomorrow.»
«I know. But it’s an emergency. I’ll be back in a couple of hours.»
Caroline was disappointed but didn’t argue. Jason was an executive at a construction company, in a position of responsibility. She showed understanding as usual.
«Alright. I’ll take the kids back to the room first.»
Back in the hotel room, Aiden was quieter than usual. Emma was playing a game on her tablet, but Aiden sat on the bed, his chin resting on his small knees, deep in thought.
«What’s wrong, Aiden?» Caroline sat next to her son.
«When is dad coming back?»
«As soon as he finishes work. It’s an important day tomorrow, so go to sleep early.»
Aiden was silent for a moment but suddenly asked, «Is Uncle Richard a good person?»
Caroline was surprised. «Of course. Why do you ask?»
«Because…» Aiden hesitated. «Never mind.»
Caroline kissed her son’s forehead. «Don’t overthink things. Come on, let’s brush your teeth and get ready for bed.»
After the children had fallen asleep, Jason still hadn’t returned. Caroline called his cell phone several times, but only got his voicemail. Around midnight, the door finally opened, and Jason came in.
«I’m sorry I’m so late,» he said in a low voice. «The problem was more complicated than I expected.»
Caroline looked at her husband’s face. He seemed tired but also somewhat uneasy. «Is everything alright?»
«Yes, we managed to resolve it,» Jason said, loosening his tie. «Why are you still up? You should go to sleep.»
«I was waiting for you,» Caroline said. But anxiety was spreading in her heart.
The morning of the wedding day, the hotel was bustling. Caroline was dressed in her bridesmaid dress, helping Vanessa get ready in her room. Her sister was dressed in a pure white wedding gown and looked so happy she might burst into tears at any moment.
«I can’t believe this day has come,» Vanessa said, looking out the window. «Caroline, thank you so much. This day wouldn’t have come without you.»
Caroline hugged her sister. «If you’re happy, that’s all that matters.»
The ceremony proceeded perfectly. Smiles were everywhere, surrounded by a festive atmosphere. However, throughout the ceremony, Caroline noticed her husband exchanging glances with her sister several times. At one point, it even looked like Jason winked at Vanessa.
Was it just a friendly gesture, or…? Caroline thought her imagination was running wild. But when she glanced back, she saw Aiden taking out his smartphone during the ceremony and filming something.
He normally didn’t show much interest in technology. She signaled with her eyes for him to put the phone away, but Aiden just looked at her for a moment, then continued.
As the reception began and toasts and speeches were underway, Caroline saw Vanessa heading to the restroom. Thinking she might need help as her sister, she also got up. When she stepped into the hallway, an astonishing sight greeted her.
As Vanessa came out of the restroom, Jason was waiting for her. After a brief conversation, Jason placed his hand on Vanessa’s arm and whispered something. The expression on their faces suggested this was more than just a conversation between in-laws.
Caroline hid behind a wall and watched the scene. Her heart was pounding wildly. Vanessa and Jason walked away in different directions, and Caroline returned to the dance floor on trembling legs.
Something was wrong. But this was her sister’s special day. She pretended not to notice and forced a smile.
After dinner, when the dancing began, Caroline returned to the table and noticed Aiden was unusually restless, checking his phone repeatedly.
«What’s wrong?» she asked.
Aiden looked up at his mother and answered in a small voice, «I’ll tell you later.»
His eyes showed a heavy determination that didn’t suit a seven-year-old child. Although Caroline felt anxious, she said, «OK,» and stroked her son’s head.
On the reception dance floor, the first dance of the bride and groom had just ended. Vanessa was radiant in her white dress, and Richard looked at her with love in his eyes. The MC took the microphone and called for a dance by the bride’s sister and her partner.
«Next, we have a dance by the bride’s sister, Caroline Foster, and her husband, Jason.»
Caroline stood up and headed to the dance floor with Jason. Her husband placed one hand on her waist and took her hand with the other. The music began to play, and they started to dance slowly.
«You look beautiful,» Jason said softly. «That dress suits you.»
Caroline tried to smile, but her heart was uneasy. «Thank you.»
Jason pulled her closer. «Is something bothering you?»
«No, nothing,» she lied.
From the corner of her eye, she could see Vanessa talking with another guest. She was glowing. Seeing her sister truly happy, Caroline felt guilty. Her suspicions might just be paranoia.
Maybe there was nothing between Jason and Vanessa. She was probably overthinking things. When the dance ended, Caroline returned to the table. There she found Aiden waiting for her.
His small face was tense with nervousness, and he was clutching her smartphone in both hands. «Mom, we need to go. Right now,» Aiden whispered, grabbing her hand.
Around them, guests were chatting happily, and music was playing loudly. Caroline smiled, trying not to lose her composure in front of her son, despite her confusion.
«Why?»
Aiden quietly took out his smartphone. «Look at this.»
When Caroline looked at the screen, she saw a photo of Jason and Vanessa talking intimately in the hotel lobby, holding hands. The date was from the day before the wedding. In that moment, Caroline froze, the blood draining from her face.
As she swiped through the screen, more photos of the two appeared one after another. The two embracing in the hotel hallway, talking in a car.
«I borrowed Emma’s tablet, and a message from Dad came in,» Aiden explained in a low voice. «I opened it by mistake, and there were lots of pictures of Dad and Aunt Vanessa.»
Caroline gasped. «Aiden, you…»
«I’m sorry, Mom,» tears welled up in Aiden’s eyes. «But I knew Dad was doing something bad. Poor Uncle Richard.»
Caroline came to her senses and hugged her son. «You didn’t do anything wrong. Thank you for telling Mom.»
Aiden continued, «Yesterday, when we arrived at the hotel, I took photos with Emma’s tablet because Dad was talking to Auntie in the lobby. Dad saw me and tried to hide something.»
Caroline held the smartphone with trembling hands and looked at the photos appearing one after another. The last photo showed Vanessa handing some document to Jason. And then, the messages.
Caroline scrolled through and read their conversation. It was clear their relationship had been going on for several years. Even more shocking, Richard seemed to be unaware of their relationship.
«Mom, Dad and Auntie are doing something bad. Poor Uncle Richard. Let’s go home, Mom,» Aiden pleaded.
Caroline’s head was in chaos. Fifteen years of marriage, two children, and trust as a family. Everything was about to collapse. And her sister. The person she trusted most.
There had been competition since they were young, but she never imagined betrayal. Around them, the reception continued. Laughter, toasts, music. But to Caroline’s ears, it sounded like distant noise.
She was in a daze, unable to bear the contrast between the celebratory mood around her and her own crumbling world. Aiden took her hand again.
«Mom, are you okay?»
Caroline came back to her senses and looked into her son’s eyes. She was moved by her son’s courage, who, with his small body, carried adults’ secrets and tried to do the right thing. It was time to make a decision.
«Aiden, thank you for showing me this. You’re a brave and honest child,» she hugged her son. «But we can’t leave right away. First, I need to tell Richard the truth.»
«Uncle Richard?» Aiden’s eyes widened.
«Yes. He has the right to know the truth. This is an adult problem, but thanks to you, I can do the right thing.»