Nell tearfully revealed that Marcella had told her nobody wanted the real version of her.
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Chapter 16 / 17
Chapter 16
The ballroom backdrop eventually returned.
Three years after the engagement.
Different wedding.
Nell was seven.
She saw the narrow space between the freestanding display and wall.
Stopped.
I noticed.
“Want it moved?”
She thought.
“No.”
Then walked behind it herself.
My body tightened.
She peeked around the edge.
Grinned.
“Daddy.”
“Yes?”
“Stay behind it.”
I stared.
She laughed.
Then came out.
Memory transformed into joke.
Her choice.
Good.
A photographer asked for one family picture.
Nell agreed.
Then deliberately crossed her eyes.
I almost corrected her.
Stopped.
The photograph later went into our hallway exactly like that.
May you like
Visitors saw the feared Alistair Wrenford in a perfect three-piece suit beside a seven-year-old making the ugliest face available.
Excellent.
