A few images later, Julian stood beneath the conservatory lights watching me approach the ceremony. His eyes were wet. I could not bring myself to believe he had felt nothing, but I no longer thought feeling something was the same as being capable of honoring it. People could love and lie, admire and exploit, promise and betray, sometimes within the space of a single afternoon. That was one of the cruelties of adulthood I had hoped marriage would spare me from learning.
In the reception folder I found a photograph of Sofia near the dessert table. She wore a muted champagne-colored dress, and she was looking past the camera toward Julian. The photographer had captured him at the edge of the frame, laughing at something a guest was saying. Sofia's expression was tender enough that I understood why I had always felt vaguely excluded when they were together. I closed the gallery before I could begin searching every image for evidence of a relationship that was already established by someone's admission.
My phone rang almost immediately afterward. It was Elaine Hart, Julian's mother. We had always maintained a polite relationship, though she had a talent for turning my choices into questions about whether Julian was being properly supported. During the wedding preparations she had called me thoughtful when I paid for things and stubborn when I resisted late changes. I answered because I knew that ignoring her would create another story about disrespect.
"Clara, darling," she began, her voice brittle with concern. "I understand you two have had an unfortunate beginning. Julian is beside himself."
I looked at the closed photograph folder. "It's been difficult," I said.
"Difficult is normal in marriage. My husband traveled constantly when we were first together, and I had to learn that ambition involves sacrifice. Julian is under extraordinary professional pressure. He told me you left him alone overseas because his assistant was needed for a presentation."
I pressed my thumb against the edge of my desk. "He didn't tell me Sofia was coming until we reached the airport. They were involved before the wedding. I learned that during the trip."
Elaine was silent long enough for me to hear the small ticking of her wall clock through the phone. Then she said, "I don't want to involve myself in private matters between a husband and wife."
I almost laughed. She had called me specifically to involve herself in those matters, but now that they no longer fit Julian's version she wanted them returned to privacy. I told her I was receiving advice and needed space, and that I would not discuss the separation through other people. She began another sentence about reputation, then stopped when I thanked her for calling and ended the conversation.