“Yes.”
he said into the phone.
“The twelve-night reservation beginning Monday.”
Vanessa stared.
“Don't.”
Daniel looked directly at her.
“Cancel it.”
The entire terrace went silent.
Even I forgot pain for a second.
Vanessa laughed.
A shocked, unbelieving sound.
“You’re canceling the honeymoon?”
Daniel remained on the phone.
“Yes.”
“Full reservation.”
“The villa.”
“The private transfers.”
“All of it.”
Vanessa stepped closer.
“You cannot be serious.”
Daniel turned away from her.
“No.”
he said to the person on phone.
“I understand the cancellation fee.”
“That’s fine.”
Vanessa grabbed his sleeve.
He pulled free.
“Daniel.”
He finished the call.
“Thank you.”
Then hung up.
For three seconds nobody spoke.
Vanessa whispered:
“You canceled our honeymoon.”
Daniel looked at her.
“Yes.”
“Over this?”
Something in his expression turned almost sick.
“This?”
She glanced toward me.
“This accident.”
He stared.
“You still think that was an accident?”
“I didn’t mean for her to drown.”
The words landed badly.
Very badly.
Daniel’s mother covered her mouth.
My mother had arrived by then.
She pushed through crowd and saw me on ground.
Her face changed so completely that Vanessa finally seemed frightened.
“Emily.”
Mom dropped beside me.
“Oh my God.”
“I’m okay.”
“You are not okay.”
“Mom.”
She saw my arm.
“What happened?”
Nobody answered.
Mom looked around.
Then at Vanessa.
“Tell me.”
Vanessa stepped backward.
“I pushed her.”
Mom stared.
Vanessa rushed on.
“It was a joke.”
“She’s making it look worse.”
Mom stood.