Revenge Wears Prada Read Free Page A

text message. It made perfect sense that she would send her son a traditional handwritten letter on his wedding day. Andy was just about to refold it and return it when her own name caught her eye. Before she could even consider what she was doing, Andy began to read.
    Dear Maxwell,
    While you know I do my best to allow you your privacy, I can no longer hold my tongue on matters of such importance. I have mentioned my concerns to you before, and you have always pledged to consider them. Now, however, due to the imminence of your upcoming wedding, I feel I can wait no longer to speak my mind plainly and forthrightly:
    I beseech you, Maxwell. Please do not marry Andrea.
    Do not misunderstand me. Andrea is pleasant, and she will undoubtedly make someone an agreeable wife one day. But you, my darling, deserve so much more! You must be with a girl from the right family, not a broken family where all she knows is heartache and divorce. A girl who understands our traditions, our way of life. Someone who will helpshepherd the Harrison name into the next generation. Most important, a partner who wants to put you and your children ahead of her own selfish career aspirations. You must think carefully about this: do you want your wife editing magazines and taking business trips, or do you desire someone who puts others first and embraces the philanthropic interests of the Harrison line? Don’t you desire a partner who cares more about supporting your family than furthering her own ambitions?
    I told you I thought your unexpected get-together with Katherine in Bermuda was a sign. Oh, how delighted you sounded to see her again! Please, do not discount those feelings. Nothing is decided yet—it is not too late. It is clear you’ve always adored Katherine, and it is even more clear she would make a wonderful life partner.
    You always make me so proud, and I know your father is looking down on us and rooting for you to do the right thing.
    All my love,
    Mother
    She heard the water turn off and, startled, dropped the note to the floor. When she scrambled to pick it up, she noticed her hands were shaking.
    “Andy? You still here?” he called from behind the door.
    “Yes, I’m . . . wait, I’m just going,” she managed to say.
    “Did you find it?”
    She paused, unsure of the right answer. It felt like all the oxygen had been sucked from the room. “Yes.”
    There was more shuffling, and then the sink turned on and off. “Are you gone yet? I need to come out and get dressed.”
    Please do not marry Andrea. Blood pounded in Andy’s ears. Oh, how delighted you sounded to see her again! Should she fly into the bathroom or run out the door? The next time she saw him, they’dbe exchanging rings in front of three hundred people, including his mother.
    Someone knocked on the suite’s front door before opening it. “Andy? What are you doing here?” Nina, her wedding planner, asked. “Good god, you’re going to ruin that dress! And I thought you agreed you wouldn’t see each other before the ceremony. If that’s not the case, why didn’t we do pictures beforehand?” Her constant, unrelenting talking drove Andy crazy. “Max, stay in that bathroom! Your bride is standing here like a deer caught in headlights. Wait, oh, just hold on a second!” She scurried over as Andy tried to stand and fix her dress at the same time and extended her hand.
    “There,” she said, pulling Andy to her feet and smoothing her hand over the dress’s mermaid skirt. “Now, come with me. No more disappearing-bride antics, you hear? What’s this?” She plucked the note from Andy’s sweaty palm and held it aloft.
    Andy could actually hear the pounding in her chest; she briefly wondered if she was having a heart attack. She opened her mouth to say something, but instead a wave of nausea came over her. “Oh, I think I’m going to—”
    Magically, or maybe just from lots of practice, Nina produced a trash can at exactly the right moment and held it