My eyes went wide. I looked again — the money hadn’t come from Hannah.
It came from Ryan Carter. My husband.
My chest tightened.
I turned to Ryan, whispering, “Why? Do you… know her?”
His face turned pale. He hesitated before answering.
“Hannah and I used to date,” he said quietly. “It was before I met you. I had no idea she was your friend. We ended things long ago… I didn’t think she’d ever show up again.”
I stepped back, stunned. The laughter and music around us felt distant and blurry, as if I were watching someone else’s wedding.
The rest of the evening passed like a dream I couldn’t wake from. I smiled for photos, raised my glass, thanked guests — but inside, I felt hollow.
Not because the $8,000 was finally returned.
But because I realized I had been betrayed by the two people I once trusted the most.