Bill knelt in front of Ashley. “If you want to stop this,” he said quietly, “I will understand.” Ashley looked at him for a long moment. Then she shook her head. “No,” she said. “But we don’t pretend this didn’t happen.”
They sat in silence for a moment, letting the truth settle. Outside, the music remained paused, guests waiting without explanation. Ashley stood finally, smoothing her dress. “We finish this,” she said. “But honestly. All of us.”