Chapter 1
At my wedding, my groom Jared Olsen's childhood friend, Leila Kemp, hopped up onto the stage clutching a handful of mystery boxes. She announced she had a special surprise just for me.
Before I could react, she held up a Venmo QR code, her voice sugary. "Pay first, then you can open the boxes!"
Jared pulled out his phone and transferred $1,000,000 on the spot, a grand gesture meant to say "I love you forever." The payment alert chimed through the hall, and my parents' faces fell.
Leila popped open the first mystery box. Inside was a ring. She took my hand and slipped it onto my finger like it was nothing. "Jared just bought me a new one, and I'm sick of wearing this one anyway. It's yours now."
Then she opened the second box. It held a remote control. She pressed a button, and the engagement photos on the big screen vanished, replaced by a photo of Leila and Jared kissing. She made a face at me. "Jared thought your engagement photos looked way too stiff and formal, so I switched it up for you two."
I stood there stunned until I heard my dad gasp and clutch his chest. That snapped me out of it. "Leila! Turn that off! What the hell do you think you're doing?"
She just raised an eyebrow and opened the last box. Inside was a marriage certificate. "Gloria Hines, this is the final surprise. Jared and I tied the knot in Vegas last week. Surprised?"
The second she finished, Jared's drawl cut in. "Leila, isn't this a bit much? Today is my wedding, after all."
Then he turned to us with an exasperated look. "Sorry, I've spoiled Leila." He looked at me. "It's a novelty certificate from a chapel, just for fun. Don't take it seriously. You're the one I'm marrying today."
I looked at the contempt on Jared's face, and whatever hope I had left died. I wasn't going through with this wedding.
*****
Gloria's POV:
When he saw I wasn't saying a word, Jared sighed, walked up to me, and took my hand. "Are you really angry? Leila just has a childish streak and doesn't know when to stop joking. Don't take it personally."
With that, he glanced at Leila. There was no blame on his face, only fondness.
Leila huffed and shoved the marriage certificate into Jared's hand. "That one's yours. You keep it safe. I'm not responsible if you lose it!"
Jared chuckled, tucked the certificate away, and ruffled her hair. "All right, the wedding has to go on. Stop making a scene and be good."
They flirted openly in front of everyone, as if no one else was there.
Dad's jaw tightened, and his voice turned cold. "Enough! Do either of you have any respect for Gloria?"
Leila snorted. "Sir, this is just a joke between young people. It's no surprise you don't get it."
Jared glanced at her but said nothing.
Seeing my parents' faces, everything I'd been holding in finally broke loose. I slammed my bouquet to the ground. I tried hard to keep my voice steady, but it shook anyway. "Jared, how can you two be so disgusting? We're done! The wedding is off!"
He and my parents all looked at me. My parents looked pained and angry, and Mom opened her mouth as if to say something but held back. Jared looked helpless.
"Gloria, Leila went too far today. Don't stoop to her level. I'll make her apologize to you later, okay?" He paused, looked at Dad, and a faint smirk crossed his face. "You should also think about your father's company. Without me, it'll run out of cash next month."
My whole body went stiff. Dad's hands clenched at his sides, and he spoke through gritted teeth. "Gloria, don't worry about it. I have other options. This wedding is off!"
By then, the guests below the stage were talking louder and louder. I looked at Dad's pale face and didn't want to say another word to Jared or Leila. I stepped forward to help Mom steady Dad, and we started to leave the stage.
But Leila stepped in front of us, blocking our way. "Why are you being so petty? I was just joking. Is this really worth it? If you leave now, everyone will blame me for ruining your wedding."
Jared nodded. "Gloria, to be Mrs. Olsen, you need to see the big picture."
I stared at him, speechless. Before I could open my mouth, I heard Mom scream. "Derek! What's wrong? Wake up!"
I whirled around and saw Dad clutching his chest, falling straight backward. Jared instinctively lunged forward and caught him before he hit the ground.
The ambulance came quickly. I hurried out of the hotel alongside the stretcher. Jared tried to climb into the ambulance with us, but Leila grabbed him from behind. "Jared, don't go. Don't leave me here alone. I'm scared."
Jared stopped and looked at me, torn. "Gloria, you and your mom go to the hospital first. I'll calm the guests down and catch up with you."
I ignored him and watched anxiously as the paramedics put an oxygen mask on Dad and told the driver to go. As for Jared, I no longer cared whether he came or not.
