The Younger Wife

An unnamed older woman arrives at a chapel for the wedding of heart surgeon Stephen Aston. Stephen’s grandsons are ring bearers, and his adult daughters, Rachel Aston and Tully Harris, are bridesmaids. Stephen’s ex-wife, Pamela, who has Alzheimer’s, wanders confusedly among the guests. After the bride, Heather Wisher, enters, Pamela interrupts the ceremony, and Stephen guides her back to her seat.

After Heather and Stephen are married, the applause startles Pamela, and she grabs a heavy candlestick. The bridal party, including Pamela, enters the sacristy to sign the register. The narrator hears a scream and a thud from the sacristy. The celebrant reemerges, her clothes spattered with blood.

One year before the wedding, Tully anxiously waits at a restaurant to meet her father’s new girlfriend. Stephen arrives with Heather, a young, polished woman whom Tully dislikes on sight. Overwhelmed by thoughts of her father’s new relationship, Tully has a panic attack. Feigning illness, she hides under the table and steals Heather’s wallet from her handbag before regaining her composure.